John Lowe and Thomas Fletcher founded their lock making business in Willenhall, England, one of more than 300 lock manufacturers in the area at the time. Their fledgling company specialised in the finest craftsman made locks in brass, bronze and polished gunmetal.
The company launches the highest quality brass padlocks and establishes itself as a leading supplier of locks for ships. This is recognised by becoming an official Admiralty and War Office Contractor.
The Willenhall site develops from its workshop origins with increased mechanisation of production processes. Mortice Locks are introduced to the Lowe & Fletcher range and become a core product line for the next thirty years.
Disc Tumbler Locks are introduced and the factory modernised to manufacture larger quantities. The success of Disc Tumbler Locks enables the business to enter a new phase of growth and profitability.
A new factory is opened at Bilston. A major fire at the Willenhall factory leads to a complete rebuild. Lowe & Fletcher Metal Finishing is established in Bloxwich. Lowe & Fletcher Metal Finishing is established in Bloxwich.
Another year of expansion as Euro-Locks is established in Bastogne, Belgium. It is now our largest manufacturing site.
Euro-Locks France is established in the town of Folschviller to support further growth in our European operations.
Euro-Locks Germany is established in the town of Sulzbach to serve the Germanic markets and increase the manufacturing capacity of the European operation.
100 years of Lowe & Fletcher is celebrated by a visit from HRH The Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh.
Increased opportunities in Eastern and Central Europe see the establishment of Euro-Locks Poland, in the town of Ruda.
Lowe & Fletcher Wednesbury is opened as the main UK manufacturing site.
Lowe & Fletcher America is founded in Holland, Michigan, to meet the needs of a growing customer base in the USA.
Lowe & Fletcher acquire the BLE Group which specialises in commercial lighting, security systems and smoke and fire curtains.
New Euro-Locks Poland factory opened by former Prime Minister Jerzy Buzek.
Lowe & Fletcher Wednesbury launch a range of digital locking solutions.
Lowe & Fletcher celebrates 125 years of business. The Group acquires Coopers Fire.
New Lowe & Fletcher Group branding introduced to support the creation of the Locking Systems division and Fire Safety division.
Lowe & Fletcher America moves to new facility at Norton Shores, Michigan.
Euro-Locks Poland factory significantly extended into a full production facility. Coopers Fire move into new, purpose built factory. Vanguard Smoke and Fire Curtains is established in California, USA.
BLE Smoke and Fire Curtains moves to purpose built new facility. Euro-Locks Belgium celebrates 50 years of business.
