In a few weeks, Texas-based supply distributor RA-Lock Security Solutions will enter its 52nd year of doing business by providing security solutions and services to a nationwide base of customers. A partnership with ABLOY USA Critical Infrastructure — which was formed 45 years ago in 1975 — has paid dividends for both companies.

Andrew Leverette, president and CEO, believes a similar credo the two companies share is responsible for their successful relationship.

”We celebrated the company’s 50-year anniversary in 2019 and updated our website, logo and marketing collateral to reflect our years in the business. We also sent our customers gifts recognizing the 50-year milestone,” Leverette said, who runs RA-Lock with his wife, Latisha. They purchased the company in 2018 and she serves as the VP of Sales. ”Both ABLOY and RA-Lock are dedicated to delivering quality, high security locking systems in a timely manner to meet our customers’ urgent security needs.”

RA-Lock’s transformation into a powerhouse security integrator continues to evolve. The company, located south of Dallas in Midlothian, Texas, and about 25 miles from ABLOY USA’s offices in Irving, Texas, was originally a manufacturer and designer of high security lock housings when it opened for business in 1969. At the time, its products were geared for the vending and pay phone industries. Over the years, the product line expanded to include mechanical and electro-mechanical door hardware and is now focused on four markets: critical infrastructure, facilities, retail and OEM.

“Before RA-Lock was an ABLOY service center, we and four other companies were a service center for another brand. One of those companies, Coin Security, had been working with ABLOY and introduced us to them,” Leverette said. ”Because of RA-Lock’s established brand and history in high security locks, ABLOY decided to add us as a service center.”

RA-Lock promotes the ABLOY Super Weather Proof (SWP) padlock, as well as the electronic component of ABLOY PROTEC2 CLIQ. These products help improve the operational efficiencies of critical infrastructure segments such as utilities, telecom, transportation, and the largest industry in Texas, oil and gas.

Leverette says two mainstay ABLOY products are extremely popular with his customers.

”They have been great to work with. Our customers are very satisfied and ABLOY products have eliminated a significant amount of loss and theft,” he said. ”They tell us the CL290 T-Handle locks for vending machines are very difficult to pick and drill through, and the PL362 maximum security padlock is preferred because it has a very thick shackle and is fire and saw-resistant.”

The CL290 is ideal for vending and other locking handles. The steel bolt maximizes resistance against attacks by pulling and can be locked with the key only. It’s available two ways: as a spring loaded or deadlocking latch. The PL362 padlock provides grade 6 level security and the ultimate resistance to physical attacks with a case hardened body and boron steel shackle.

Jerry Burhans, managing director of ABLOY USA Critical Infrastructure, believes the partnership has a long future in the cards.

“RA-Lock has been an important Channel Partner with ABLOY USA Critical Infrastructure for over 40 years,” Burhans said. “I’m proud to continue the relationship with new owners Andrew and Latisha Leverette. They seem primed to grow our business in Texas and throughout the Southwest.”