TVT contributes expertise and knowhow to development project of ASSA ABLOY

ASSA ABLOY, with Dutch branches in Apeldoorn and Raamsdonksveer, has a longstanding tradition as leading supplier of innovative entrance systems. One of the challenges facing companies with a global position as market leader is to maintain this competitive edge. To this end ASSA ABLOY is constantly further developing new technologies in its own European Competence Centre into practical and sustainable applications. The wide spectrum of products is impressive and includes items such as door closers, electromechanical handles for doors and windows, and systems for wireless access control. Inherent to these technical solutions is the application of extremely sophisticated customised technical spring technology. Consequently, TVT plays a key role, specifically in the further development of mechanical and electro-mechanical locks.

Engineer Ben Mureau heads the ASSA ABLOY Benelux department of product management and innovation. He stresses the importance of partners like Technische Veren Twente within ASSA ABLOY’s endeavours towards continued innovation. ‘A large development project was started within ASSA ABLOY Netherlands several years ago, to develop a new generation of innovative and intelligent mechanical and electro-mechanical locks. The various springs in these locks are critical to the functionality, quality, reliability and life span of the product. It is therefore of great importance for ASSA ABLOY Netherlands to have a partner like TVT to add their expertise and knowhow to this project. One aspect of this is TVT’s ability to quickly supply prototypes for testing purposes’. ASSA ABLOY technology lies at the core of entrance and access systems carrying big brand names such as NEMEF, YALE EN LIPS.

Strong designs as result

A leading developer and manufacturer like ASSA ABLOY does not take unnecessary risks when recruiting the most suitable partners. Ben Mureau comments on the partnership with TVT: ‘Ever since a brief introduction period, the cooperation between the mutual engineers has been very constructive. The communication lines are short, developments are quickly anticipated and the open atmosphere is conducive to discussing solutions. This enjoyable and effective way of working together has produced some industrial designs that completely fulfill all the most recent technical demands. Moreover, TVT is able to manufacture these solutions at a competitive price.’ Consequently, Ben Mureau and his team are quite pleased with TVT’s input in helping to keep ASSA ABLOY at the forefront of innovation. ‘We feel they are very capable, flexible and reliable and a pleasure to communicate with. There are no language barriers and if need be, we can always meet quickly face to face’.