About Schlage

A lot’s changed since Walter Schlage opened his first shop in 1920. At the same time, a lot hasn’t. We’re still meticulous designers, painstaking engineers, and proud craftsmen. Nearly a century later, we’re proud to grace your doors with a growing menu of stylish, top-grade hardware.

Company history

We didn’t invent the lock. We perfected it. Read on to learn Schlage’s role in the evolution of door hardware, security and style.

1909

Schlage's first patent

Walter Schlage’s first invention, patented in 1909, was a door lock that had the ability to turn lights on and off.

1920

The first Schlage lock shop

Around 1920, Mr. Schlage left his job at Western Electric and opened his own shop where he developed tools for manufacturing the first lock with a push-button device centered in the door knob.

1921

Advancement: cylindrical pin-tumbler locks

In the early 1920’s, Walter Schlage advanced the concept of a cylindrical pin-tumbler lock by placing a push-button locking mechanism between the two knobs.

1923

Schlage goes into full-scale production

In 1923, Mr. Schlage moved his fledgling company to new quarters where he went into full-scale production of the push-button lock, which was destined to revolutionize the door lock industry.

1940

The “Modern Pioneer”

Six years before his death, Walter Schlage was honored and received the Modern Pioneer Award for outstanding American inventors.

1950

Expansion: Schlage rounds out offerings

After Walter Schlage’s death, the company began a period of expansion in the early 1950’s. It acquired California Lock Company, Peabody, and LCN Closers to give Schlage a more complete range of hardware offerings.

1970

General Lock Company is purchased

In the 1970's, under the presidency of Maron Kendrick, Schlage purchased a mortise lock manufacturing company, General Lock Company of Pontiac, MI.

1974

Ingersoll Rand acquires Schlage

Schlage was acquired by Ingersoll Rand, a Fortune 150 manufacturer of industrial, mining and construction equipment. As a result of the acquisition, Schlage became part of the Ingersoll Rand Door Hardware Group.

1975

Expansion: Schlage goes global

Expansion continued under Ingersoll Rand, and in 1975, Schlage acquired lock manufacturing facilities in New Zealand.

1976

Schlage secures facilities in Security, CO

The Security, CO, plant was opened in 1976 and now produces six standard series locksets as well as handcrafted door hardware products.

1997

Relocation: Schlage moves to Colorado

In 1997, Schlage relocated its administrative offices to Colorado Springs, CO, while Technical Services and Customer Services remained in San Francisco, CA.

2013

The Allegion family of brands

In 2013 Schlage - and the rest of the Ingersoll Rand Security Technologies - became part of 23 global brands to join forces under Allegion. Allegion is North America’s #1 manufacturer of security and safety products, security consulting and systems integration.