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WELCOME TO OUR GROUP We are the Lowe & Fletcher and Euro-Locks group, and we specialise in the design and supply of locking systems for industry, where we have been delivering leading solutions for more than a century. We are now an international group with modern operations around the world that together supply more than 50 million products every year. We are still a privately owned and controlled group, which gives us a strong family ethos and a long term commitment to our business and our customers.
LOWE & FLETCHER
Wednesbury, England
Walsall, England
E U R O-L O C K S
Bastogne, Belgium
Folschviller, France
Sulzbach, Germany
Ruda Slaska, Poland
Holland MI, USA
Suzhou, China
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FAR REACHING PRODUCTS Today we supply a vast range of specialised locking systems, some of which are shown here, that are purpose designed to meet the many different needs of our customers in industry: alarms; bicycles; cash tills; computers; control panels; data cabinets; dustbins; fuel pumps; gaming consoles; garage doors; gun cabinets; letter boxes; lockers; office furniture; panniers; power supplies; safes; street furniture; top boxes; tow hitches; vending machines; water taps; wheel clamps; and many more.
Specials
Barrels
Handles
Camlocks & switchlocks
Lever locks, coinlocks & padlocks
Whatever the requirement, we can develop a locking solution... Furniture locks
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BESPOKE SOLUTIONS THE REQUIREMENT Our teams of dedicated sales and design engineers work with our customers to determine their locking requirement. Our specialist input at an early stage in the project can lead to a very effective final solution that is efficient in both method and cost. If the requirement cannot be met from one of our many existing products, then we will propose a dedicated design.
I N-H O U S E D E S I G N Our CAD systems and design methodology are compatible throughout our group, so our entire skill base and data resource can be focussed on a single proposal if necessary. This proposal is then refined through continual dialogue with our customer.
SOLID MODEL When our design proposal is accepted a 3D solid model is made, within 24 hours if required, which allows for thorough and cost effective evaluation and testing. Any improvements identified are then incorporated into the design.
TOOLING Following approval of the product design and model, dedicated tooling is manufactured, again to our own in-house designs.
THE SOLUTION Off tool samples are then submitted to our customer for final approval before volume manufacturing begins.
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DESIGN STUDIES CHASSIS SECURITY Our customer required a locking system that would be an integral part of their vehicle chassis, a system that would cope with tough physical demands as well as an arduous environment. We proposed a nine pin locking mechanism with a high strength ball actuated bolt and a unique hardened stainless steel spindle, all within a hardened steel body. We further enhanced security by creating a reserved differ series with unmarked keys, with spare keys protected through a strict registration system. The system has met and exceeded existing UK insurance tests and has led to a new standard in accreditation, so delivering enhanced security through innovation for our customer.
BICYCLE SECURITY In this case we were asked to develop a unique locking cylinder for use in a bicycle security system. Keys that would appeal to the end user, together with a high security fail-locked mechanism were required. We developed an internally bitted key for higher security and proof against copying, together with a ten disc barrel mechanism incorporating a shear point that fails locked when forced. A smart foldable key assembly, using a 3mm thick nickel silver key, completed the solution. Our customer now uses this system very successfully in their suite of bicycle security products, which has helped them maintain their lead in this market.
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OUR MANUFACTURING RESOURCES TEAMWORK AND TECHNIQUES Our staff of 800 work closely together, both locally and in liaison with other operations in the group. Focused external input is used for staff training as well as on-the-job learning. Group processes and methods are regularly benchmarked and best practice is shared throughout. Techniques we use include Kanban, Continuous Improvement, 5S and monitoring by Key Performance Indicators.
QUALITY ASSURANCE
PRIMARY PROCESSES
Appropriate quality methods are in place throughout our
Our automatic hot chamber pressure diecasting machines
group that ensure product compliance through process
are tooled to produce flash free castings in Mazak 3 and
capability. We also adopt demanding health & safety and
Mazak 5. Our high speed presses produce precision
environmental standards that help us to take care of
tumblers, keys, cams, bodies and many other components.
ourselves as well as the world in which we work.
These parts are then plated or painted on our own process lines.
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SECONDARY PROCESSES Our substantial investment in modern CNC key cutting and assembly equipment enables us to produce precision product to order that is repeatable time and time again.
DELIVERY This is the vital last link in the chain of events that began with understanding our customer’s requirement. Using either our own transport, customer collection or, more normally, national and international carrier networks, we ensure that our products are safely delivered.
OUR HISTORY HOW WE WERE We have certainly come a long way since Mr Lowe and Mr Fletcher began their family lock making business in Willenhall, England, in 1889! They founded a business based on meeting their cutomers’ needs, and that principle is carried on today by their fifth generation descendents.
Mr Lowe 1845-1898
Mr Fletcher 1863-1924
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LOWE & FLETCHER Ltd., Moorcroft Drive, Wednesbury, West Midlands, WS10 7DE, England. Tel: +44-121-505-0400 Fax: +44-121-505-0420 sales@lowe-and-fletcher.co.uk LOWE & FLETCHER METAL FINISHING Ltd., Beechdale Industrial Estate, Fryers Road, Walsall, West Midlands, WS2 7LZ, England. Tel: +44-1922-475555 Fax: +44-1922-408711 sales@metal-finishing.co.uk
EURO-LOCKS SA NV 8 Rue de la Fontaine, B6600 Bastogne, Belgium. Tel: +32-61-21-22-61 Fax: +32-61-21-22-65 sales@euro-locks.be
EURO-LOCKS SA 1 Rue du Stade, F-57730 Folschviller, France. Tel: +33-3-87-92-61-11 Fax: +33-3-87-92-42-04 euro-locks@euro-locks.fr EURO-LOCKS GmbH Am Bruchwald 22, D-66280 Sulzbach/Neuweiler, Germany. Tel: +49-68-97-90-72-0 Fax: +49-68-97-90-72-99 vertrieb@euro-locks.de
EURO-LOCKS Sp.zo.o 41-708 Ruda Slaska, ul Pawla 6, Poland. Tel: +48-32-342-10/11/12 Fax: +48-32-344-78-74 sales@euro-locks.pl EURO-LOCKS Inc. 124 James Street, Holland, MI 49424, United States of America. Tel: +1-616-994-0490 Fax: +1-616-994-0480 sales@euro-locks.com EURO-LOCKS 35 Qing Shi Road, New District, Suzhou 215011, China. Tel: +86-512-68430860 Fax: +86-512-68430861 sales@euro-locks.com
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