Back to all news LATEST NEWS - SQUIRE ARCHIVES Celebrating 240 Years, As We Move Towards Global Expansion This year at Squire we’re celebrating our 240th anniversary, and we have our sights on global expansion into new markets. Our iconic brand which is a familiar household name in security has been at the forefront of international lock-making since 1780. Combining heritage with innovation, today we are recognised for making the toughest locks in the world. Through eight generations, the Industrial Revolution and both world wars, Squire is testament to the bulldog spirit. Our company was established near Willenhall at the time of the Industrial Revolution – which drove the demand for locks – and we have remained a Black Country-based company ever since. We survived both world wars followed by the flood of cheap foreign imports in the 1980s. After eight generations of father and sons, we remain the only independent family-owned British lock manufacturer in the UK, unrivalled in its experience. Technological innovation is our trademark, producing some of the most advanced lock designs on the market for homes, businesses, leisure, cycle and motorcycle markets – padlocks, cylinders, combination locks, multi-purpose lock and chain sets, security cables, bolts, hasps and staples, security accessories and the latest smart security. As a company, we manufacture one of the largest and most comprehensive ranges of padlocks and two-wheel locks in the world. One of our key strengths is the quality of our team. Many have notched up over 20 years’ long service, some joined straight from school and are celebrating over 40 years’ service. “We’re incredibly proud to have such a loyal and talented team, and some of the most experienced people in the business,” said eighth-generation CEO John Squire. Setting Standards All products are made using superior design capabilities and the latest production methods. The result is a range of top security products tested to Sold Secure, LPCB (Loss Prevention Certification Board) and CEN European standards to ensure the finest tolerances, reliability and outstanding performance. Many of our Secured by Design products have achieved Police Preferred Specification. From locks and hardware, bicycle security products, garage door protectors and vehicular roller shutter doors, to safes and secure enclosures and motorcycle security. Among them is our hero Stronghold® brand, the premium range of extra high-security padlocks, padbars, chains, lock and chain sets and keysafes. Our super heavy-duty SS100CS padlock is universally respected as the world’s strongest production padlock. And it is the first padlock ever to achieve LPCB Level SR4, LPCB’s highest accreditation. Crucially, our patented designs have given us a lead in the UK’s combination lock market. Protecting our own unique designs is key to our success, explains John Squire. “We’ve achieved leading accreditations across our top range of Stronghold™ padlocks which are recognised globally, enabling us to market products to a global audience.” Our quality and environmental practices are recognised too, having been awarded ISO9000 and ISO14001 standards. It has always been company policy constantly to improve products, production methods, packaging and advertising. We were the first hardware manufacturer to present its products in heat-sealed blisters, winning the ‘Starpack’ award for packaging in 1968 and a Merit Award from the Packaging Institute of America in 1969. Growth Focus Our focus on continuous improvement and investment in new production technology is as important today. This approach is enabling us to compete more effectively and to expand our export range of bespoke products that meet the security needs of today’s customers. “We’ve gone through significant restructuring to develop a platform for growth. Our UK manufacturing is very much focused on added value, service led products and realising our ability to research and develop new products to generate growth. “Continued investment in state-of-the-art manufacturing technology is critical to the design of our new products. It complements our ongoing investment in innovation and training to maximise the skills of our team,” adds John Squire. “We’re investing considerable time and money in developing new markets abroad.” In the UK, we are able to offer innovative products in line with market needs, because it is close to the market and can react quickly. “Innovation and flexibility of service is what you can expect from the UK,” said John Squire. British Made Support for our products being manufactured in the UK has risen dramatically, as customers increasingly demand products which are bespoke and personalised to their individual requirements. “We’re very proud of our heritage, and as a member of Made in Britain, it’s an honour to display the official collective mark on our products. Proof to our customers that we’re manufacturing in Britain to the very highest standards,” said John Squire. For us, the benefits are about quality, performance and environmental impact. Products made in Britain are not only better quality, they are also renowned for better performance. “We generate far less waste because we manufacture according to customer requirements rather than specific stock, so we’re not wasting packaging or energy.” “Most of all we are committed to reducing energy consumption and we’re taking practical steps to ensure our carbon footprint is minimised.” ‘Toughness Guaranteed’ Our plans involve moving from a UK orientated company to one with far greater exposure in overseas markets, by embracing high level technology that customers look for at a cost structure people will pay. John Squire said: “We are a company with a unique history. We’ve reinvented ourselves to a modern company with a modern structure. We don’t try to be a main market player, we look to niche markets with excellent growth prospects which generate excellent sales.” Now we are looking to expand significantly in terms of design, engineering and manufacturing capacity to meet the growing demand for our products and allow us to manufacture new products. This includes the introduction of advanced smart technology into locks, ensuring the highest security levels, and at the same time giving the user greater flexibility when using the product. He added: “We see an opportunity to grow our smart lock products, meeting new trends in customer demand for smart security that is British designed, engineered and manufactured.” Our new Inigma smart security system for remote control access in padlocks, cylinders and bike locks is the first to achieve the BSI Secure Digital Applications Kitemark. We are also the first organisation to achieve the BSI Internet of Things Kitemark for a bike lock. “Our mantra is to provide the toughest possible locks at the greatest convenience to the user. By combining ‘toughness guaranteed’ with convenience gives us the best strategy,” added John Squire. Share This Post BACK TO ALL Keep Me Updated With All News ▾ Toughness Guaranteed +44 1902 308050 info@henry-squire.co.uk CONTACT US Sectors General Security Inigma Bikelok Motolok Stronghold About Us Useful links Our History About Squire Services Stockists Find a Stockist Fitting Instructions Downloads Toughness Guaranteed Useful links Contact FAQs Our Blog Videos Delivery & Returns Follow us Copyright © 2021 Squire. All rights reserved. Cookie Policy Privacy Policy Terms & Conditions .st0 { opacity: 0.35; } We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. By clicking “Accept”, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies. 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