BKS

BKS GmbH (originally Boge & Kasten – Solingen) is a German company known for manufacturing locks, lock cylinders, locking systems, and object and emergency exit door hardware. Founded on 8 May 1903 in Solingen by master craftsman Adolf Boge and locksmith Fritz Kasten as the "Rheinische Türschließerfabrik Boge & Kasten GmbH", the company initially developed a door closer that allowed doors to close almost silently, establishing its reputation. Further innovations made it a European market leader. The company later moved to larger factory premises on Beethovenstraße in Wald (now part of Solingen). In 1913, Adolf Boge built his manufacturer's villa opposite the factory. The American company Yale and Towne acquired the business and in 1927/1928 merged it with Damm & Ladwig and the Vereinigte Riegel- und Schlossfabriken from Velbert to form BKS, headquartered in Velbert. At its peak, it employed more than 3,000 people. The round cylinder developed in 1938 revolutionized the construction of security locks. Another European innovation in the 1950s was the panic lock, which allows locked doors to be opened from the inside. In 1983, the company returned to German ownership and became part of the Gretsch-Unitas Group based in Ditzingen. In 2017, the electronic locking system Ixalo was launched, followed in June 2023 by the reversible key system Belvius. Since March 2024, Thomas Polonyi has been the new CEO of BKS. As of 2018, BKS had 590 employees. The company operates primarily in Germany and Europe, offering a range of security and door hardware products.

BKS GmbH was founded on 8 May 1903 in Solingen by master craftsman Adolf Boge and locksmith Fritz Kasten as the "Rheinische Türschließerfabrik Boge & Kasten GmbH" on what is now Klemens-Horn-Straße. They developed a door closer that allowed doors to close almost silently, establishing the company's reputation. Further developments made the company a market leader in Europe. Later, due to space constraints, the company moved to the much larger factory halls on Beethovenstraße 135 in the then-independent town of Wald, which is now part of Solingen. Opposite the factory, Adolf Boge had his manufacturer's villa built in 1913. The American company Yale and Towne acquired the business and in 1927/1928 merged it with Damm & Ladwig and the Vereinigte Riegel- und Schlossfabriken from Velbert to form BKS, headquartered in Velbert. At its peak, it employed more than 3,000 people. The round cylinder developed in 1938 revolutionized the construction of security locks. Another European innovation in the 1950s was the panic lock, which allows locked doors to be opened from the inside. In 1983, the company returned to German ownership and became part of the Gretsch-Unitas Group based in Ditzingen. In 2017, the electronic locking system Ixalo was launched, and in June 2023, the reversible key system Belvius. Since March 2024, Thomas Polonyi has been the new CEO of BKS. As of 2018, BKS had 590 employees.

• Founded in Solingen as Rheinische Türschließerfabrik Boge & Kasten GmbH by Adolf Boge and Fritz Kasten.

• Adolf Boge built his manufacturer's villa opposite the factory in Wald.

• Acquired by Yale and Towne and merged with Damm & Ladwig and Vereinigte Riegel- und Schlossfabriken to form BKS, headquartered in Velbert.

• Developed the round cylinder, revolutionizing security lock construction.

• Introduced the panic lock in Europe, allowing locked doors to be opened from the inside.

• Returned to German ownership as part of the Gretsch-Unitas Group based in Ditzingen.

• Market launch of the Ixalo electronic locking system.

• Market launch of the Belvius reversible key system.

• Thomas Polonyi became CEO of BKS.

Security and door hardware manufacturer with a long tradition of innovation, positioned as a European market leader in locking technology.

• Ixalo

  Electronic locking system launched in 2017.

• Belvius

  Reversible key system launched in June 2023.

• Panic lock

  European innovation from the 1950s allowing locked doors to be opened from the inside.

• Round cylinder

  Developed in 1938, revolutionizing security lock construction.

1. 1BKS (Unternehmen) - Wikipediade.wikipedia.org
2. 2BKS Artisan Ales - Craft Brewery in Kansas City, MObksartisanales.com
3. 3BKS - Wikidatawikidata.org