Distributor Updates: Milestone Anniversaries
Southern Lock and Supply Southern Lock and Supply is celebrating 80 years at its 2026 Trade Show and Learning Expo, May 6-9 in St. Petersburg, Florida.
Southern Lock has been a major distributor of security products and supplies since 1946. With merchandise from more than 200 manufacturers, we maintain a large inventory of popular lines including Allegion, ASSA ABLOY, BEST Access Solutions, dormakaba, Master Lock, NSP, and more. From mechanical hardware to the latest electronic access systems, let us be your one-stop-shop for all your security needs, offering mechanical and electronic hardware, as well as an automotive focus.
Southern Lock began in the home of Bernard and May Cutson in 1946. Two years later as their company grew, the business was moved to the family garage, then to its first storefront in south St. Petersburg, and finally to its present address, a 19,000-square-foot warehouse.
In the 1970s, watts lines were installed and “S-Line” products soon followed. Southern Lock also established an in-house advertising department and yearly catalog. In the 1980s, the building was expanded to include a large Customer Service area, computer system, and Electronic Access Department. To remain on the cutting edge, Southern Lock also launched their first website.
Over the years, satellite locations have been opened in Pompano Beach and Charlotte, N.C. Marvin Cutson, son of founders Bernard and May Cutson, ran Southern Lock until 2011, when he passed the torch to the late Dave Matthies and his son-in-law, Dave Swartz. After dedicating 59 years to the company — starting at just 16 years old — Matthies retired in 2024 and passed away in 2026. Today, ownership is held by Dave Swartz and Matthies’s daughter, Jenell, who plan to continue Southern Lock's family legacy well into the future.
From the earliest days to the present, the company's goals have remained the same: to provide customers with quality products and the best service possible. Whether placing, pulling or shipping an order, our qualified group of employees work together to handle all jobs in an efficient and pleasant manner, the company says.
Hans Johnsen: 125 Years
Founded in 1901 as a bicycle shop, Dallas, Texas-based distributor Hans Johnsen Company is celebrating 125 years.
Hans Johnsen Company was founded in 1901 by Hans Johnsen. Hans Johnsen immigrated from Denmark in the late 1890s and came through Ellis Island to Texas City on the coast later to move to Dallas, Texas. He purchased the assets of Boren Bicycle in 1901 and changed the name to Hans Johnsen Company. The company which started in the bicycle business has also been in the automotive parts, motorcycle and lawnmower business.
The locksmith end of the business came about in the 1920s to service the automotive garages that cut keys. During the 1930s the company left the automotive business and encouraged the bicycle dealers to cut keys and do lock work. In the 1940s the locksmith and bicycle business separated and today we are exclusively in the bicycle and locksmith businesses.
Today, Hans Johnsen is a regional distributor and sells primarily to retail locksmiths who service their local market. The company does not sell to consumers direct. Hans Johnsen is still 100% family owned and operated. All of the current owners are active employees in the company.
Learn more at www.hansjohnsen.com.
SECLOCK Source Mode
SECLOCK.com is constantly enhanced to make your work easier, more efficient, and more informed. As the newest enhancement for our customers, we introduced Source Mode: a premium sourcing experience within SECLOCK.com.
Built from the ground up for the commercial hardware industry, Source Mode is an optional feature designed specifically to revolutionize your workflow. Whether you’re managing a simple installation or a complex opening, Source Mode streamlines every step of the process.
Because better project management means better project execution, Source Mode isn’t replacing SECLOCK.com; it’s making it better.
SECLOCK Texas Distribution Center
SECLOCK has added a Texas Distribution Center. The new 50,000-square-foot plus facility is stocked with everything from popular products to hard-to-find door hardware solutions. This expanded inventory puts more products within easy reach.
Counter sales opened in March. The address is: 2125 Bardin Rd, Grand Prairie, Texas, 75052.
New Distributor Alliance
The RA-Lock Group announced its formal launch as a newly structured parent platform uniting several respected security and access-control brands under one strategic organization. The Group was formed to expand market reach, streamline operations, and deliver integrated high-security solutions across North America.
The RA-Lock Group brings together RA-Lock Security Solutions, Locking Systems International, Service Central Incorporated, Cobra Lock, and LSI Depot into a cohesive enterprise. Each brand retains its specialized market focus while benefiting from shared infrastructure, coordinated strategy, and centralized innovation designed to support scalable, long-term growth.
Serving highly regulated and security-critical environments, the RA-Lock Group supports industries including education, healthcare, government, utilities, data centers, gaming and hospitality, transportation, and commercial facilities; where reliability, compliance, and long-term performance are essential. Through centralized engineering, marketing, distribution, and service resources, the RA-Lock Group strengthens nationwide coverage, accelerates technology development, and enhances customer support while maintaining the agility and expertise of its individual brands.
“This is more than a reorganization; it is a strategic expansion that positions us to better serve complex, multi-site customers with future-ready security solutions,” said Latisha L. Leverette, CEO and CMO of The RA-Lock Group.
“We are excited to offer our customers the maximum benefit of streamlined access to all of our brands,” stated Andrew Leverette, CEO and COO of The RA-Lock Group. The RA-Lock Group will continue to expand its portfolio, pursue strategic technology partnerships, and invest in next-generation mechanical and electronic security solutions as part of its long-term growth strategy.
Learn more at www.ralockgroup.com.