What Archibald Kenrick & Sons does

Archibald Kenrick & Sons (trading as Kenrick; legal entity Spire Manufacturing Limited) is a British precision hardware manufacturer founded in 1791 in West Bromwich, United Kingdom, where it still operates from a single manufacturing site on Union Street, Kenrick Way. The company designs and produces over 1,000 hardware SKUs across four categories: window hardware (espagnolettes, friction stays, hinge protectors, locking systems including Centurion, Easi-Fit, Excalibur, Interceptor, Maximus Twin Cam, and Nemesis), door hardware (multipoint locks, cylinders, captive hinges), architectural hardware (door handles, casement fasteners, handrail brackets), and furniture hardware and castors (Shepherd Castors in production since 1948, plus Twin Wheel, Nova, Orbit, and Transport variants). Core technology centres on zinc die-casting and 430-grade stainless steel fabrication, with patented high-security claw locking mechanisms and proprietary adjustable mushroom cam designs tested to 100,000+ cycles and 240-480 hours of salt spray resistance, carrying PAS24, Secured by Design, BS7950, BSEN 1670:2007, BSEN 1303:2005, TS007 +A1 2015, and BBA Assessment certifications.

Kenrick operates a B2B direct sales model with quote-based pricing (no public e-commerce), reaching customers through a Sales and Technical Support team reachable by phone and email. The primary customer segments are window and door fabricators (uPVC, aluminium, and timber) requiring specification-grade security hardware, with secondary segments in architectural specifiers, furniture and bedding manufacturers, and end-user replacement demand via property managers. Marketing is limited to the company website, a LinkedIn corporate page, and direct contact, with no disclosed distributor network or reseller channel. Revenue is generated entirely through hardware product sales with no subscription, licensing, or service-based streams identified; a sub-brand, AK Touch Secure, has been launched to extend into electronic/smart door lock solutions.

The company is privately held with no disclosed external funding, acquisitions, or institutional investment, and operates exclusively within the United Kingdom. With a headcount of 11-50 employees, the business is small in scale relative to its 230+ year heritage and broad product catalogue, indicating a stable, niche-manufacturer profile rather than a high-growth venture.

Name

Archibald Kenrick & Sons

Legal name

Spire Manufacturing Limited

Website

https://kenricks.co.uk

Company type

Private

Founded year

1791

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Archibald Kenrick & Sons is a privately held British manufacturer, founded 1791, producing over 1,000 SKUs of certified window, door, architectural, and furniture hardware (including castors) from its West Bromwich site for UK fabricators, specifiers, and furniture makers.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Architectural Hardware Manufacturing

NAICS

Metal Window and Door Manufacturing (332321), Ornamental and Architectural Metal Products Manufacturing (33232)

SIC

Cutlery, Handtools & General Hardware (3420)

akta.pro primary industry

Access Panels, Hatches & Specialty Openings (IMADAIAJ)

akta.pro secondary industry

Doors, Windows & Millwork Hardware Retail (Locks, Hinges, Handles) (CRAIADAJ)

Keywords

• Window hardware manufacturing
• Door locking systems
• Architectural hardware components
• Furniture castors and fittings
• Security-certified hardware

Headquarters

HQ city

West Bromwich

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Supply Chain, Operations, Personnel, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Hardware Product Sales: One-time hardware product sales of window, door, and architectural hardware components. Products include locking mechanisms, espags, cylinders, handles, friction stays, castors, and furniture hardware. Revenue generated through direct B2B sales to fabricators and distributors.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels3 records

Core offering

Archibald Kenrick & Sons manufactures and supplies precision die-cast zinc and stainless steel hardware for windows, doors, architectural applications, and furniture. Its portfolio includes multipoint locking mechanisms, espagnolette systems, cylinders, friction stays, hinge protectors, casement fasteners, handrail brackets, and a range of castors, glides, and divan legs. Products are produced at its West Bromwich manufacturing facility and are primarily sold B2B to window and door fabricators, architectural specifiers, and furniture manufacturers, with security certifications covering PAS24, Secured by Design, BS7950, BSEN 1303:2005, and BSEN 1670:2007.

Product overview

Archibald Kenrick & Sons (trading as Kenrick) is a British manufacturer of window, door, and architectural hardware with over 230 years of heritage since 1791. The company's product portfolio spans four main categories: Window Hardware (including Centurion, Easi-Fit, Excalibur, Interceptor, Maximus Twin Cam, and Friction Stays), Door Hardware (Cylinders, 3 Star Cylinders, Excalibur Door Locks, Timber Composite Door Locks, and Captive Door Hinges), Architectural Hardware (300/301 Door Handles, 500 Pivot Hinge, 890 Casement Fastener, 900A Casement Stay, and Handrail Brackets), and Furniture Hardware & Castors (Glides, Divan Legs, Nova Castors, Orbit Castors, Shepherd Castors, Standard Fittings, Transport Castors, and Twin Wheel Castors). With over 1,000 products manufactured in West Bromwich, the company emphasizes security features including PAS24/Secure by Design certification and compliance with British standards such as BSEN 1670:2007, BS7950, and TS007.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• AK Touch Secure: A smart door lock security product line, marketed through aksecure.co.uk.

Products and services

• Heritage Monkey Tail A beautifully crafted zinc-cast window handle featuring a traditional monkey tail design with key locking mechanism, available in Black, Antique Black, Chrome and Smoked Chrome finishes.
• Heritage Tear Drop A classic zinc-cast window stay featuring a tear drop design with key locking capability, available in various finishes.
• Centurion An adaptable locking system providing high levels of security with mushroom shootbolts, available in 20mm and 22mm backset options, PAS24 Capable and Secure by Design certified.
• Centurion Fast Fit A high-security, cost-effective non-crop fitting locking system designed for quick and easy installation with steel shoot bolts and PAS24 compliance.
• Easi-Fit A market-leading, high-security window locking system with patented high-security claw locking mechanism, available in 20mm, 22mm and 25mm backset options.
• Espags A high-quality espagnolette locking mechanism with adjustable mushroom cams and robust die-cast construction for enhanced security, performance, and longevity; holds BBA Assessment (Report number 52/51829).
• Excalibur A market-leading, high-security window locking system with patented high-security claw locking, bi-directional die-cast claws, and PAS24/Secure by Design certification.
• Interceptor A high-security twin-cam espagnolette locking system with twin adjustable mushroom cams, no cropping required, and BS7950 compliance.
• Friction Stays High-quality friction stays manufactured from 430-grade stainless steel, designed for durability and smooth operation with Secure by Design certification when used with Kenrick hinge protectors.
• Nemesis A high-security offset gearbox locking system for aluminium fabricators with austenitic stainless steel construction, PAS24/Secure by Design compliance.
• Maximus Twin Cam A premium inline security espagnolette with adjustable mushroom cams, twin reverse cams for superior security, PAS24:2022 and Secured by Design accreditations.
• Hinge Protectors Protective hinge solutions that extend the life of window hardware and enhance security when used with Kenrick friction stays.
• Cylinders High-quality cylinders manufactured from HPB59-1 brass body and pins with stainless steel springs, tested to BSEN 1303:2005 standards, available in polished brass or nickel finishes.
• 3 Star Cylinders Premium 3-star cylinders certified to TS007 +A1 2015 standards with kite mark number 675308, offering enhanced security and durability in polished brass and nickel finishes.
• Excalibur Door Locks A high-security multipoint door lock system featuring three sintered steel hooks, two steel anti-lift bolts, and three adjustable roller cams, with PAS24/Secure by Design certification.
• Timber Composite Door Locks A high-security multipoint door lock system designed for timber and composite doors with three hooks, bi-directional sintered steel claws, and Secure by Design certification.
• Captive Door Hinge A high-quality captive door hinge with zinc die-cast body and stainless steel pin, featuring horizontal and vertical adjustment, PAS24 compliance, and weight capacity up to 120kg on four hinges.
• 300/301 Door Handles High-quality zinc die-cast door handles made in the UK, available in standard colours (gold, polished silver, white, black) or custom RAL colours, Local Authority Approved.
• 500 Pivot Hinge A die-cast corrosion-resistant friction hinge with adjustable friction, opening through 180 degrees, suitable for light to medium-duty applications with a maximum load of 15kg per pair.
• 890 Casement Fastener A traditional zinc alloy locking system for sash windows with lever handle, available in flat or Ejma (bevelled) wedge styles and standard/custom RAL colours.
• 900A Casement Stay A traditional casement stay available in 8, 10, and 12 inch lengths with flat or bevelled offset (Ejma) pins for square or bevelled profiles.
• A1 Sash Fastener A durable sash fastener available in zinc or electro-plated brass finishes, sold in packs of 100.
• Fitch Catch A durable catch available in zinc with clear plate or electro-plated brass finishes for securing doors or windows.
• Handrail Brackets Durable steel handrail brackets available in 2, 2½, and 3 inch sizes with multiple finish options including white, brown, black, zinc, grey, and regal gold.
• Glides High-quality nylon glides with broad base for stability, 100kg load capacity per glide, available in 45mm or 55mm heights with peg and socket fitting.
• Divan Legs Versatile divan legs available in 98mm or 125mm heights with M8 x 20mm fitting, compatible with twin wheel castors, Shepherd castors, or glides.
• Nova Castors High-quality castors with 50mm diameter, impact-modified nylon construction, 230kg load capacity per set of four, made in the UK.
• Orbit Castors High-quality metal-wheel castors with 50mm diameter, 230kg load capacity per set of four, multiple fitting options and optional wheel protector.
• Shepherd Castors Premium castors manufactured by Kenrick since 1948, available in 40mm, 50mm, and 62mm diameters with various wheel types and load capacities up to 300kg per set of four, made in the UK.
• Standard Fittings A comprehensive range of standard fittings for castors including plate fittings, threaded options, cast sockets, pin options, wheel protectors, and pressed sockets.
• Transport Castors Durable transport castors with impact-modified nylon wheels designed for heavy-duty use with 300kg load capacity per set of four.
• Twin Wheel Castors Durable twin wheel castors available in 40mm, 45mm, and 50mm diameters with grip neck peg and socket fitting, load capacities from 160kg to 200kg per set of four.

Quantifiable outcome

• Products tested to 100,000+ cycles for mechanical endurance
• +3 more outcomes

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature5 records

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Broad incumbents

• Roto Frank: Roto is a German-headquartered global incumbent in window and door hardware, including friction stays, espagnolettes, and tilt-and-turn hardware. Comparable to Kenrick in core window hardware technology, but operates at significantly larger scale and with an international footprint.
• Yale (ASSA ABLOY): Yale, owned by ASSA ABLOY, is the dominant consumer-facing locks and hardware brand in the UK, including cylinders, multipoint locks, and increasingly smart locks. Broadly comparable to Kenrick on door hardware, with overlapping certifications and trade relationships, but operating at vastly greater scale and brand reach.
• Siegenia-Aubi: Siegenia is a major European manufacturer of window and door hardware, including espagnolettes, friction stays, and tilt-and-turn systems. Comparable to Kenrick in core mechanical window hardware technology, but with significantly broader product range and European-wide reach.

Direct peers

• Carlisle Brass: Carlisle Brass is a UK manufacturer and distributor of architectural door hardware (handles, hinges, locks, and accessories) serving the same fabricator, specification, and trade channels as Kenrick's door and architectural hardware lines. Directly comparable in product family and customer base.
• Mila Hardware: Mila is a UK-based specialist manufacturer and distributor of window and door hardware, including friction stays, hinges, handles, and locking systems. Closely comparable to Kenrick on product mix (window + door hardware) and on B2B fabricator/distributor GTM in the UK trade channel.
• ERA Home Security: ERA is a long-established UK manufacturer of window and door hardware, locks, cylinders, and home security products sold through the same fabricator and distributor trade channels. Directly comparable to Kenrick on multipoint locks, cylinders, and PAS24/SBD-certified hardware, competing head-to-head for UK uPVC and composite door OEM slots.
• Hoppe (UK): Hoppe is a European leader in door and window hardware, including espagnolette locking systems, handles, and hinges. Comparable to Kenrick on the technical espagnolette/multipoint product family, although at much greater scale and with broader European reach via Hoppe Group distribution.
• Avocet Hardware: Avocet Hardware (part of the Ultion family) supplies UK door hardware, locking systems, and ABS security cylinder products to door fabricators and installers. Directly comparable to Kenrick's door hardware and cylinder lines on customer overlap and Secured by Design positioning.
• Frelan Hardware: Frelan Hardware is a UK trade supplier of architectural ironmongery, including door handles, hinges, locks, and window hardware. Comparable to Kenrick's architectural hardware product family on UK trade distribution and product overlap, though broader in ironmongery range and smaller in proprietary die-cast manufacturing.
• Fab&Fix: Fab&Fix is a UK trade hardware brand focused on door handles, letterplates, and security hardware for the composite door fabricator market. Directly comparable to Kenrick's door hardware line on customer base (composite door OEMs), product overlap, and Secured by Design positioning.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights5 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/kenricks

Compliance22 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Archibald Kenrick & Sons