Note: The following is a republished excerpt from the Lockwood Hardware Manufacturing Company’s Lockwood – The story of its past, the basis for its future. Published in 1953, and based almost entirely off of literature produced for Lockwood’s 1952 sales convention, it recounts the history of the Lockwood Hardware Manufacturing Company from 1834 until 1952.
By 1953, the Lockwood Hardware Manufacturing Company, then a division of the Independent Lock Company with both being headquartered in Fitchburg, Massachusetts, fielded branch offices in New York City, Philadelphia, Baltimore, Chicago, and Selma, Alabama along with five manufacturing plants in Fitchburg and one in Selma.
We have made no changes to this excerpt and what you see is exactly how it was printed in 1953, albeit in a different medium.
Chapter Six, The Lockwood Hardware Manufacturing Company 1941 to 1945
THIS PERIOD was featured by major changes in sales policy and sales personnel. One weakness in selling policy up to that time had been direct bidding on contract work, which was uneconomical and unsound.
After a long and thoughtful consideration and despite the likelihood of losing business because of inadequate distribution, the company faced the issue and established a definite sales policy of selling its products (except in New York City where, up to the time of printing, it has not yet been fully possible) strictly through franchised distributors. This step is recorded as courageous at that particular time because of the lack of distributors to pick up the business dropped. Business, while better than in the years described in Chapter Five, was certainly not that much better that the move could be well afforded.
Slowly and painstakingly a system of franchised contract dealerships was established throughout the country. These distributors were carefully selected for their ability to sell and service contract builders’ hardware in their territories. Their assured loyalty to their suppliers and willingness to work in the mutual interests of all concerned were important requirements in their selection for a Lockwood franchise.
To secure and properly serve such distributors required many changes in the sales organization. Its development and improvement is a continuous program. Lockwood is justly proud of its selling force, territory managers and contract service personnel. However, the company maintains a continuous program in which more highly trained men are always being developed.
Early in 1941, one of the most gratifying contract was secured. It was the new Hotel Statler at Washington, D. C. That particular contract gave great impetus to the news sales policy and greatly strengthened the resolve to stick to it. The Hotel Statler in Washington, D. C., established a new goal. The hardware to be furnished was tops in quality, embodied a new design that has proven most popular in modern buildings and has since given excellent service over the years. This happened to be the last major private job to be furnished with bronze hardware until the end of World War II. The hardware was all delivered in Washington in early December, 1941 and on December 7, 1941 our country was at war. Bronze hardware was then prohibited as to manufacturer, except for certain government projects and shipboard use.
Various Lockwood Hotel Statler Projects.
With the outbreak of World War II, Lockwood faced new problems in its manufacturing and selling policies. The company went out full force to help win the war. Manufacturer of quality hardware of brass and bronze was prohibited by law. The company quickly converted to the use of steel and other permissible materials. Lockwood continued to grow and expand its distributor franchises even during those anxious and critical days, in spite of the serious limitations placed on its facilities.
It is interesting to recall that almost everyone had the same customer – Uncle Sam. Lockwood secured the largest single hardware order of its history to that point. The Trinidad Naval base contract ran in excess of $400,000.00 worth of hardware. Then there was the big hush hush job at Oak Ridge, Tennessee where, through it’s Charlotte, N. C., distributor, Lockwood furnished its security key system locks in large volume on highest priority with extra special service. None knew until the atom bomb was exploded over Japan in 1945 what this top drawer secret job was really all about. Another very large project furnished during the war was the naval base at Couer D’Aline, Idaho. Hundreds of other war projects were equipped during the war years with Lockwood Hardware, a few of which are listed below.
REDSTONE ARSENAL, Huntsville, Alabama
LEE GARDEN APARTMENTS, Washington, D. C.
McLEAN GARDENS APARTMENTS, Washington, D. C.
TYNDALL FIELD BUILDINGS, Panama City, Florida
U.S.N. TRAINING STATION, Athol, Idaho
U.S.N. BUREAU YARDS AND DOCKS, Chicago, Illinois
VETERANS’ ADMINISTRATION BUILDING, Wadsworth, Kansas
WILLERT PARK EXTENSION, Buffalo, New York
ROGER WILLIAMS HOMES, Providence, Rhode Island
FEDERAL OFFICE BUILDING No. 2, Arlington, Virginia
GRAHAM FARM BUILDINGS, Arlington, Virginia
Hotel William Penn. Pittsburgh, Penn.
A great many ships were equipped with hardware by Lockwood during these years. Ship hardware was required in solid bronze.
All through these war years, as time permitted, the distributor plan was pushed and post war planning explored. Particular during this time remarkable strides were made in distribution in the South.
It was a glorious day indeed when on V-J Day in August 1945 Lockwood could again start the wheels rolling to make its post war line.
1952 New branch at Selma, Alabama.
Belt assembly line, cylindrical lock sets.
General view of section of interior at Selma plant.
Battery of automatic screw machines.