Celebrating 245 years of unbreakable innovation

This year, we’re incredibly proud to celebrate 245 years of British lock-making.

What began in 1780 with William Squire crafting locks in Willenhall has grown into a leading security brand trusted worldwide. Through generations of innovation, engineering excellence and family dedication, we’ve continued to do what we do best - protect the things that matter most. As we look back on our remarkable journey, we’re just as excited about what comes next.

Where it all began

In 1780, William Squire began making locks. During this time, most people wouldn’t lock their doors or protect their belongings like we do today. His early products included a small range of mechanism padlocks, door locks and cabinet locks.

Growing with the times

In the 1800s during the Napoleonic Wars, we supplied locks to the British Army, which led us to develop a wider range of padlocks. Before long, we were supplying padlocks to companies across the British Empire.

In 1906, Henry Squire & Sons Ltd was registered and 33 years later, in 1939, we were awarded a government contract to supply parts for the British Army. To support the war effort, we used our engineering expertise to produce precision-made machine gun gauges, gun links and torpedo components. This work not only played a vital role during the conflict but also expanded our technical capabilities as a business.

As post-war society became more prosperous, people acquired more furniture and property than ever before, which increased the demand for quality locks. Our company reputation grew and through unique marketing techniques, Squire soon became a household name.

In 1954, we launched our Old English and Stronglock laminated locks as a response to international market feedback. These iconic padlock designs are still made and sold today.

Leading innovation

During the 1960s we became the first UK hardware company to launch blister packed products – a cutting edge innovation at the time. The introduction of our blister packaging awarded us the ‘STARPACK’ National Packaging Award.

Soon after, we launched the first range of cycle locks in the UK, another unique and innovative move ahead of its time. In the years since, we have continued to refine and expand our range and now make some of the toughest cycle locks available on the market.

During the 1970s and 1980s, we launched our new six lever high security DEFIANT padlock, followed by our industry leading HS4 padlock. During this time, our UK market share of padlocks and cycle locks reached 60% and we were awarded a Sword of Achievement for our new range of locks and chain sets.

In the 1990s we proudly launched our Stronghold® CEN grade padlocks - our toughest padlocks yet. These outstanding British-made heavy-duty padlocks are still being developed today, setting new standards globally.

The onset of the millennium heralded a new age for Squire. In 2006, we had our first move since the company began in 1780, relocating from Willenhall to our current state-of-the-art headquarters in Wolverhampton. The year also marked the start of our new joint venture in China.

Security redefined

In the 2010s we launched our uniquely designed, patented world-leading CP range of heavy-duty recodable combination padlocks. Today it’s one of our best-selling ranges of padlocks for the home.

A few years later in 2016, we launched the world’s strongest production padlock – the Stronghold® SS80. The heavy-duty padlock features a 2kg solid steel lock body capable of a tensile pull of 16-20 tonnes, and meets LPCB Level SR3 certification. But we knew we could go one better…

In 2019, we created the new world-beater, the Stronghold® SS100. This lock featured our dual-cylinder padlock system and broke even more records, receiving an LPCB Level SR4 rating.

Just a few years later, we introduced our inigma smart wireless access control system, designed to take security to the highest level. inigma harnesses Bluetooth communication, allowing users to control access to their compatible locks via a smart key programmed through the inigma app on their phone or tablet. Businesses that use the system can control which locks users can open, easily give and revoke access, and inspect comprehensive audit trails to see who has entered which areas and when.  It’s one of the world’s most secure smart lock systems for access control, boasting the highest BSI Kitemark™ for Secure Digital Applications.

In 2025, we became bigger and stronger than ever, introducing the SS100CS LEV5, an enhanced version of the SS100CS, designed to combat angle grinder attacks. SS100CS LEV 5 is the first and only padlock to achieve LPCB SR5 certification, taking the SS100’s place as the world’s strongest padlock.

What’s next?

The world may have changed since 1780 but our mission hasn’t. Our goal is to continue the traditions of innovation, design and state-of-the-art production, while securing the future for generations to come through the implementation of our sustainability strategies.

Throughout our proud history - and continuing today - we’ve remained committed to the highest standards. This is shown by the independent accreditations our products hold, such as inigma’s BSI Kitemark™ for Secure Digital Applications and the SS100CS LEV5’s LPCB SR5 rating, the highest level that any padlock has achieved. 

Even after 245 years, our drive to innovate never fades. We’re proud of our heritage and family legacy, but even prouder of the fact that we’re constantly moving forward.

Stay tuned to our website and social media channels to be the first to know when our latest innovations come to the market. Find us on Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn.