Linus Yale Sr.'s son joined his father in the business in 1850 and perfected and patented his father's pin tumbler cylinder lock and became the considered locking expert of his time. In 1862, Yale Jr. introduced the Monitor Bank Lock, marking the transition in bank locks from key locks to dial or combination locks. The principles, embodied in his Monitor Lock, are now standard in combination locks throughout the USA.

Yale Jr. was also experimenting with a lock based on a mechanism first employed by the ancient Egyptians over 4,000 years ago. Granted patents in 1861 and 1865, Yale finally succeeded in creating his most important invention – the Yale cylinder lock. Linus Yale Jr. transformed the locking industry forever with his many breakthrough inventions.

Relying on Yale patents, Yale’s sterling name and sheer ingenuity, Yale Jr. and his colleague Henry Towne established the Yale & Towne company in 1868, at the time employing 35 people.

The company grew and broadened its scope with manually operated chain hoists, battery powered platform trucks and in 1879 a line of padlocks was introduced. Yale & Towne purchased Norton door closer company and H. and T. Vaughan Ltd.

In the early 20th century, the company expanded worldwide and employed more than 12,000 people. Throughout the 20th century, purchases, acquisitions and joint ventures with brands as Guli, Chubb Locks, Parkes and C E Marshall have made Yale locks well-known worldwide.

In August 2000 Yale was purchased by the ASSA ABLOY Group and in May 2010, ASSA ABLOY also acquired Paddock, which has very strong synergies with Yale, as the largest manufacturer, and market leader, in the supply of multipoint locks. 

Paddock was originally established in 1978, and was initially founded to fabricate aluminium and manufacture basic hardware products. 

Since then, a continuous product enhancement programme, together with acquisitions including Willenhall Engineering Ltd, Madeley & Glaze (Toolmakers) Ltd and Millenco Hardware Ltd, has seen the company’s range evolve to include all major products and manufacturing services for the door and window hardware industry.

Paddock Fabrications currently employs 240 staff, engaged in part of the complete manufacture and support services process from receipt of raw materials through manufacturing and assembly to warehousing and dispatch.

Multipoint locks for doors, windows, patios, handles, hinges and letterboxes are all produced on site using the latest manufacturing technology.

The Paddock product range, new and existing, together with the sales team now acts as a combined base for generating sales of Yale’s mechanical and digital lock offerings.