Top Notch Launches New E-Store Platform

HONESDALE, PA — Top Notch Distributors has launched a new e-store experience designed to make it easier, faster, and more intuitive for customers to find products, check availability, manage orders, and keep business moving. Top Notch is a leading nationwide wholesaler of commercial and residential architectural door hardware and bath hardware.

The upgraded platform reflects direct customer feedback and introduces enhanced tools, faster workflows, and smarter features built around the way locksmiths, glass and glazing professionals, hardware retailers, security dealers, integrators, contractors, and other trade customers source and order products every day.

“Our customers have been asking for a better online experience, and this new e-store is designed to deliver exactly that,” said Marty Mulcahy, vice president of sales at Top Notch Distributors. “From improved search and clearer product information to practical ordering tools and easier account management, the new platform helps customers work more efficiently with Top Notch.”

The new Top Notch e-store includes several enhancements designed to save customers time and simplify the online purchasing process:

 Smarter search: Customers can search across products, categories, and manufacturer resources, use multiple search criteria, filter results in real time, and view live inventory counts by distribution center.

Improved browsing and comparison tools: A redesigned Shop page, category landing pages, best sellers by category, list and grid views, finish swatches, recently viewed items, and enhanced product displays make it easier to compare options and narrow in on the right product.

Clearer product information: Product pages now put key details front and center, including stock by distribution center, specifications finish options, related documents, price books, manufacturer resources, and print-friendly product sheets.

More efficient cart and checkout functionality: Customers can add items throughout the site, save items for later, add line notes, use promo codes, and move through a redesigned checkout process built to streamline everyday ordering.

Expanded account tools: The My Account area now offers a new account overview, quick actions, activity filters, and My Lists functionality to help customers create lists, manage quantities, and reorder frequently purchased products more efficiently.

Customer sign-in credentials remain the same, allowing existing users to access the upgraded e-store without changing their login information. Top Notch also offers a user-friendly e-store training guide, available for download from the footer of the company’s website and e-store.

The company’s Customer Service and Inside Sales teams are available to assist customers with questions as they explore the new platform.

“This launch is part of our continued commitment to supporting customers with the products, service, and digital tools they need to do business more effectively,” Mulcahy added.

 

ASSA ABLOY Acquires PACLOCK

ASSA ABLOY has acquired U.S. padlock and security hardware manufacturer Pacific Lock Company (“PACLOCK”).

“PACLOCK is proud to officially join the ASSA ABLOY Group! What began as a family business has grown through hard work, a commitment to quality, and the trust of the people who use our products. Joining ASSA ABLOY gives us the resources and reach to build on that foundation and bring PACLOCK to more customers than ever before. To our employees, customers, distributors, locksmiths, and everyone who has supported us along the way: you helped make this possible. We’ve always had big ambitions. Now we have even more opportunity to bring them to life,” the company said.

"I am very pleased to welcome PACLOCK to ASSA ABLOY. This acquisition delivers on our strategy to strengthen our position in mature markets through adding complementary products and solutions to our core business,” says Nico Delvaux, President and CEO of ASSA ABLOY. 

"PACLOCK is recognized for delivering high-quality security products that combine reliability, durability, and innovation, backed by US-based manufacturing and exceptional customer service," says Lucas Boselli, Executive Vice President and Head of the Americas Division. "Their expertise in designing and delivering customized security solutions has made them a trusted partner for customers whose needs extend beyond standard product offerings. We're excited to welcome PACLOCK to ASSA ABLOY and expand our ability to provide customers with high-quality, tailored security solutions that meet their evolving needs."

PACLOCK was founded in 1998 and has some 40 employees. The main office and factory are located in Valencia, California. PACLOCK will be part of the Residential Business Segment within the Americas Division. 

Sales for 2025 amounted to about $17 million with a strong EBIT margin. The acquisition will be accretive to EPS from the start.

 

Summit Access & Security Acquires Top Security Locksmiths

Farmingdale, New York—Summit Access & Security, a leading provider of comprehensive security solutions and physical security integration, has announced its acquisition of Top Security Locksmiths, Inc. of Point Pleasant, New Jersey. This strategic addition marks another important milestone in Summit's continued expansion across the Northeastern and Mid-Atlantic regions of the United States.

The acquired business will be integrated under the Summit Access & Security brand. All Top Security Locksmiths employees will remain with the company, and Summit will retain the Point Pleasant location, which will continue to serve as a base of operations. The company's fleet of service vehicles will continue providing mobile locksmith and security service throughout Monmouth, Ocean, and Middlesex Counties.

Founded in 1989 and built on the Rible family's 60-plus years of locksmith experience, Top Security Locksmiths has grown into a full-service provider of residential, commercial, and automotive locksmith services, along with access control, CCTV, safes and vaults, and burglar and fire alarm systems. That legacy of technical expertise, integrity, and hands-on customer service makes Top Security a natural fit for Summit Access & Security, a company equally committed to protecting what matters most to its customers.

David C. Rible, CML, CAL, who has owned and operated Top Security Locksmiths since 2022, will stay on as part of the acquisition, continuing to lead day-to-day operations and ensuring continuity for customers and employees alike.

"I've spent my career in this industry, and I've always been proud of the reputation Top Security Locksmiths has built with our customers across New Jersey," said Rible. "Joining Summit gives us the opportunity to build on that legacy with even greater resources, while I stay closely involved in the business and the customers we serve. I'm excited for this next chapter."

"This acquisition represents an exciting step in our growth strategy," said Sean O'Hayre, CEO & President of Summit Access & Security. "David and his team have built Top Security Locksmiths into one of New Jersey's most trusted names in the industry, backed by generations of hands-on locksmith expertise. We're thrilled to welcome them to the Summit family and to support David as he continues to lead the business, while bringing additional resources and capabilities to the New Jersey market."

 

dormakaba to Acquire Alliants, Expanding Hospitality Offerings

dormakaba has signed a binding agreement to acquire Alliants, the guest experience technology partner behind more than 100,000 hotel rooms for the world’s leading hospitality brands. The acquisition will strengthen dormakaba’s position as a global hospitality access solutions leader. It expands the company’s hospitality offering beyond physical access control, connecting room entry with digital guest engagement to support a seamless guest journey while preserving customer choice.

Founded in 2009 in Southampton, United Kingdom, Alliants provides proprietary guest experience software and managed services that help hotels serve guests from pre-arrival through their stay and beyond. Its capabilities include concierge, contactless check-in, mobile key, payments, messaging, and agentic AI. The company operates globally and employs more than 100 people. With a strong track record of delivering hotel room keys to both Apple Wallet and Google Wallet, Alliants’ digital hotel key technology was recognized by TIME Magazine as one of the best inventions of 2025.

By pairing Alliants' powerful and established experience platform with dormakaba's global portfolio and scale, hotels will have the option for an end-to-end solution across digital guest engagement, access, and hotel operations.

Both dormakaba and Alliants will remain interoperable with other providers across the tech stack providing real choice for hotels to work with other manufacturers and software partners to best fit their needs.

Till Reuter, CEO of dormakaba, says: “Hotel owners and operators increasingly view access and guest experience as part of the same strategy. Alliants adds proven technology and deep hospitality expertise that help us better serve hotels today and as their needs evolve. Hospitality is a key growth vertical for dormakaba, and this acquisition reflects our continued investment in the sector globally while broadening the value we can deliver to hotel customers.”

Tristan Gadsby, CEO and Founder of Alliants, says: “Access and guest experience stopped being separate problems some time ago; the industry's tooling just hasn't caught up. Alliants brings the digital guest journey, and dormakaba brings a proven track record in access and a presence in more than 130 countries. Together we can offer hotels one route through it – without asking them to give up the partners they already trust.”

The parties have agreed not to disclose further details or the financial terms of the transaction. dormakaba expects the transaction to close after regulatory approval, expected within this year.

 

Squire Expands Distribution with IML Security Supply

St. Louis  – Squire Locks USA has entered into a new distribution partnership with IML Security Supply, expanding the company’s growing professional security channel and providing greater access to Squire commercial padlock solutions across the Western and Central United States.

The relationship grew directly from conversations at SHDA 2026, where IML Vice President of Sales Jon Skinner and his team were introduced to Squire’s commercial padlock range. Several of the products immediately stood out as potential additions to IML’s offering for locksmith and security customers.

“We are happy to work with such a historic company and to be a part of Squire’s strategy in the United States,” said Skinner. “I’m looking forward to introducing the Squire line to our customers and collaborating with their team to develop the market.”

“IML is a critical distributor partner we have been looking for as we build Squire across North America,” said Jerry Burhans, president of Channel Championz, Squire’s North American commercial representative. “They have the reach, the inventory and the technical credibility, but they also know how to introduce a new line and get it in front of customers. Our job is to match that commitment with training, branch support activity and feet on the street so this becomes much more than simply putting another line on a shelf.”

That field support will be led by Jackson Burhans, Squire’s new National Account Manager, who has already begun working with IML’s Kansas City team and introducing Squire to customers in the market. Going forward, he will support branch activity, customer outreach, product education and regional events as the program expands.

“We’re already seeing good engagement in Kansas City,” said Jackson Burhans. “My focus is to keep that momentum going, helping IML’s branches get the products in front of the right customers and supporting the opportunities that can turn interest into business.”

 

Paxton Solo Replaces Legacy Access Control for Student Housing

Paxton’s new Solo system is giving student housing providers a simpler way to manage access at scale. This case study looks at how JPR Fire, Security and Data used the phone-based, cloud-hosted security system to modernize access for around 500 students without the need for network infrastructure.

Homes for Students provide 235 student housing properties across the UK and Ireland. JPR Fire, Security and Data provide the security system for the One London Road site in Newcastle-under-Lyme.

Until recently, the housing was secured using a classic standalone access control solution requiring no network infrastructure. The existing system was becoming difficult to manage, with approximately 500 residents across 5 blocks, including the onsite gym. The site managers were continuously replacing lost fobs, creating additional running costs for the system.

Mike Gater, Department Manager at JPR Fire, Security and Data, approached the site after attending Paxton’s launch event for Solo; a phone-based, cloud-hosted access control system.

With the free Paxton Solo app, the site management team can administer access to the premises from anywhere, via their smartphone. For the students, it means never having to remember an access code or to carry a fob, as they will simply use their phone to gain access to their building.

When a smartphone with appropriate access permission is presented to a Solo controlled door, the phone communicates to the Solo controller using Bluetooth Low Energy frequency to instruct the door to open. With minimal Wi-Fi on site, the phone uses mobile data to confirm appropriate access permissions are available for that door. Where no network connectivity is available, the credential can be stored on the phone for 3-4 hours, to allow access even if the phone is offline.

 “Aside from the benefit of Solo being cloud-based, with no network infrastructure requirements, the other real selling point for our customers was the price. The upfront cost of the Solo kit is very accessible. Even with the ongoing cost of the door subscription, our clients would see a cost saving compared to extending their previous standalone system, as they were constantly replacing lost fobs in significant numbers. They were immediately interested in the new system,” Gater said.

With the introduction of the Solo system on site, One London Road was also able to secure access to the students’ common rooms. Where previously access was available to anyone who had gained entry to the building, Solo ensures that only students in residence with appropriate access permissions can use the space by presenting their phone to the Solo DoorTag.

Tallulah-Mae Moran, General Manager at Homes for Students said: “Paxton’s Solo system has reduced the ongoing costs of replacing fobs and time spent doing this. The ability to see the date and time of who accessed which door is extremely useful for us and allows us to manage the site to a better standard and provides accurate information when investigating issues on site. It also allows us to set users up and manage this remotely rather than provide and collect physical fobs. It has been a worthwhile investment and will continue to be effective in years to come.”

For more information about Solo, security installers can attend a free 2-hour online training session with Paxton. Every company that attends will receive a free Solo one-door kit to trial the system and demo to customers.

 

People in the News

iLOQ announced the appointment of Oskar Sörensson as CEO and Johan Ek as Chairman, effective Sept. 16, as the company enters its next phase of international growth. Heikki Hiltunen will step down as CEO and continue his involvement as an independent director on the iLOQ Board, while Tzachi Wiesenfeld will step down as Chairman and continue to support the company as an advisor and mentor.

Since 2019, when Nordic Capital invested in iLOQ, the company has nearly quadrupled sales and increased profitability five-fold, growing from a Nordic champion into a global leader in smart and digital access. The company sells in more than 60 countries through 16 selling units and an extensive distribution network. iLOQ has expanded into new segments, including the demanding critical infrastructure market. iLOQ’s battery-free technology combines hardware and software in a cloud-native solution. Its strong market position and dedicated, highly motivated team, are making it a unique company in the industry.

Sörensson joins iLOQ from Atlas Copco, where he spent the last 18 years, most recently as a divisional president. Ek brings extensive experience from prior management positions and board work, including currently being Chairman in several Nordic Capital portfolio companies.

For more information about iLOQ and its sustainable smart access management solutions, visit www.iloq.com.

 

 

 

James H. "Jamie" Taylor

April 9, 1962 - June 17, 2026

We are deeply saddened to announce that Jamie Taylor, president of Bullseye SD Locks, passed away in Lexington, Kentucky, after a short illness.

Immersed in the security trade from a young age, Jamie dedicated his life to designing, manufacturing, and marketing safe deposit locks and related equipment. He started as a teenager servicing bank equipment before building a robust career in sales and product engineering at global companies like Mas Hamilton. Identifying a growing need for reliable replacement locks, Jamie partnered with his father, security industry legend James L. "Jim" Taylor, to found Bullseye SD Locks. Since its founding in 2001, the company has placed millions of locks in more than 30 countries, growing into one of the world's largest safe deposit lock companies. Throughout the years, Jamie never lost sight of the community that raised him, maintaining a lifelong commitment to sponsoring education and trade organizations such as SAVTA, ALOA and FSPA.

Jamie was known for his broad knowledge, generosity, and sense of humor, and will be greatly missed. Bullseye remains a family business under the direction of his close friend and partner, Steve Hall. Jamie's memory will be kept alive by his wife, Layla; sons Jimmy, Colby, and Will; stepson Ethan; and a large extended family.

 

Laurence David Simon

March 13, 1934 - August 25, 2026

Laurence "Laurie" David Simon, a longtime friend and contributor to Locksmith Ledger, passed away August 25 at the age of 92.

Simon was the beloved husband of 58 years to the late Helen H. Simon, nee Hirsch. Loving father of Leah Simon, Debi (Luigi) Bernardi, and Jerry (Stacy) Simon. Cherished "PaPa" of Aaron Amsberry, Sara (Jeremy) Pedersoli, Scott Simon, Rachel (Lemuel) Karkada, Joseph Simon, Mitch Leiter, Elizabeth Leiter, Samantha Preisser and Stephanie Preisser and great-grandchildren Caila, Abigail, Liam and Kaya; devoted son of the late Harry and Edith (Boshes) Simon; dear brother of the late Gene (Maita) Simon, Martin (survived by Mary) Simon, fond uncle of many nieces and nephews.