What Card Lock Company does

Card Lock Company is a privately held, family-owned access control systems provider founded in 1948 in Prattville, Alabama. The company designs, sells, and installs key card and mobile-based access control solutions targeted primarily at fraternal and veteran organizations, private clubs, K-12 schools, fire departments, marinas, and small commercial customers. Its product portfolio spans the original CL101 non-programmable standalone card lock system, networked IP door access controllers, Card Lock Cloud (a subscription-based ACaaS platform hosted off-site), proximity/RFID readers, smart card systems, mobile credential readers using NFC and BLE, electric strikes, and gate mountings. The business is built on a multi-vendor partner ecosystem that includes HID Global, Assa Abloy, Maxxess, Mercury Security, Continental Access, Adams Rite, HES, Farpointe Data, and Fargo, allowing Card Lock to bundle best-of-breed components rather than develop all hardware in-house.

Card Lock Company monetizes through a mix of one-time hardware sales, recurring annual/bi-annual reader and card replacement programs, subscription-based cloud access control (ACaaS), and professional installation services. Pricing is low-ASP and unit-based: the CL101 system lists at $1,500-$3,000 per installation, electric strike installation averages $300 per door, and custom key cards are sold in minimum 54-card lots. The go-to-market is consultative and sales-led, with free on-site security assessments, custom solution design, professional installation (direct or via vetted installer network), and lifetime support. Sales originate through toll-free phone lines (1-800-847-9761), online quote requests, and an e-commerce portal for card reorders.

The company's strategic position rests on 77 years of category presence, the original patent on the "card key" concept, and dominant share within specific fraternal niches, including service to approximately 90% of Elks Clubs in the United States. The business is led by President Jimmy Thompson and Vice President Steve Stewart, remains family-owned with no disclosed external funding rounds or institutional investors, and operates as a small team of 11-50 employees serving a national US footprint that has expanded to include Canada.

Name

Card Lock Company

Legal name

Card Lock Company

Website

https://cardlockcompany.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1948

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Card Lock Company is a privately held, family-owned provider founded in 1948 that designs, sells, and installs key card and mobile access control systems for fraternal organizations, private clubs, K-12 schools, fire departments, and small commercial customers across the United States and Canada.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Electronic Access Control Systems

NAICS

Security Systems Services (except Locksmiths) (561621), Locksmiths (561622)

SIC

Finance Services (6199)

akta.pro primary industry

Card Readers & Authentication Tokens (Smart Card, NFC, OTP Keys) (HDACAFAK)

akta.pro secondary industries

Payment PIN Pads, Card Readers & NFC Contactless Devices (HDACAKAG), Shuffling, Dealing & Card Security Devices (Auto Shufflers, Shoe/Dealing Devices) (MPAEANAI), Secure ICs, Smart Cards & Trusted Hardware (HDAHAAAJ)

Keywords

• Card access control
• Keyless entry systems
• RFID door locks
• Cloud access management
• Electric strike hardware

Headquarters

HQ city

Prattville

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Hardware Sales: Sale of access control hardware including card readers, electric strikes, magnet locks, key cards, and mounting equipment. One-time purchase model for physical products.
2. Key Card Replacements and Custom Cards: Replacement and custom-printed key cards sold to existing customers. Cards available in various colors, sizes, with optional custom logos and numbering. Minimum orders apply.
3. Cloud Access Control (ACaaS): Subscription-based Access Control as a Service model where cloud-based software manages access control remotely. Pay-as-you-go subscription removes upfront software costs.
4. Installation Services: Professional installation services provided directly by Card Lock or through vetted installer network. Installation costs vary by system complexity.
5. Annual Reader Replacement Program: Annual/bi-annual reader and card replacement program for standalone systems. Readers replaced and cards reissued on customer schedule.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

Card Lock Company designs, sells, and installs key card, RFID, mobile, IP, and cloud-based electronic access control hardware and software for organizations such as fraternal groups, schools, fitness clubs, offices, marinas, and fire departments. Its portfolio includes the patented CL101 standalone card lock, IP door controllers, the Card Lock Cloud ACaaS platform, mobile credential readers, electric strikes, and mounting accessories, complemented by professional installation and lifetime support.

Product overview

Card Lock Company offers a comprehensive portfolio of access control products centered around key card and mobile access technologies. The core product line includes the CL101 Non-Programmable Stand Alone system (traditional card locks), IP Door Access Control Systems (software-managed networked access), Card Lock Cloud (cloud-based ACaaS subscription platform), Smart Card Access Control (high-security cryptographic cards), and Mobile Access Control (BLE/NFC smartphone-based access). These systems are supported by complementary products including Electric Strikes (1505, 11BS, 7140, 7114, 0161 models and magnet locks), Proximity/RFID Door Locks, Gate Mountings (chain link systems, all-weather housings, flush/surface mounts), and Key Card Printing services with custom color and artwork options. The company pioneered key card technology in the 1940s and provides solutions from simple standalone units to sophisticated multi-site cloud-managed systems.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• CL101 Non-Programmable Stand Alone Card Lock System The original standalone, non-programmable card lock system using common coded cards. Provides simple, low-cost key card access for organizations that need to easily activate and deactivate credentials for members on annual or bi-annual renewal cycles. Sold as a complete installation package (electric latch release, exterior faceplate, accessories, instructions); cards sold separately.
• Card Lock Cloud (Cloud Access Control / ACaaS) Cloud-based access control software that manages access entirely in the cloud with no on-site servers. Allows organizations to oversee and manage access control remotely and make real-time grant/deny changes to anyone. Sold under a subscription-based, pay-as-you-go model that removes upfront computer and software costs.
• IP Door Access Control Systems Network-based, open architecture IP electronic access controllers that secure entry and exit. Connect to local or wide area networks for authentication, eliminating the need for hard wiring to a central panel. Support RFID, Bluetooth, and biometric credentials and can be monitored from any connected device. Scalable across multi-site deployments without additional wiring or expensive add-ons.
• Mobile Access Control System Smartphone-based access control enabling members and employees to access facilities through a mobile app using NFC or Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE). Eliminates the need for physical cards and supports real-time access updates. Built on the HID Mobile platform for OS-agnostic access across Android and iOS.
• Smart Card Access Control System High-security smart card access control systems using cryptography and privacy protection. Strengthen multi-factor authentication, protect network access without passwords, and enable time/attendance recording.
• Proximity Card Door Lock (RFID) Proximity card door lock systems using 125 kHz RFID technology that read credentials at extended range from keycards, tags, or fobs. Contactless operation with reduced energy costs; integrates with existing access control systems and is well suited to parking management and gate access applications.
• Electric Strikes and Magnet Locks Electromagnetic locking hardware including 1505, 11BS, 7140, 7114, 0161 electric strikes and 8310/8320 magnet locks. Available in fail-secure, fail-safe, fail-locked, and fail-open configurations. Suitable for pre-installed doors, fire-rated applications, cylindrical locks, mortice locks, and center exit devices.
• Mountings and Housings Mountings and housings for installations, including IF102 and IF103 chain link systems, IP105 all-weather pedestal housing, IP103 all-weather reader housing, IW100 flush mount faceplate, and IG101 surface mount housing.
• Custom Key Card Printing Services Custom-printed key cards available in various colors, sizes, and quantities, with optional custom logos, special printing, and numbering. Minimum order quantities apply (e.g., 54 laminated cards); colored inks available at additional cost beyond standard black.
• Professional Installation Services Professional installation of Card Lock access control systems, provided directly by the company or through a vetted installer network. The team oversees installation to ensure it meets company standards, with continuing lifetime support after deployment.
• Annual Reader and Card Replacement Program Recurring annual or bi-annual program in which Card Lock replaces readers and reissues cards on the customer's schedule for standalone card lock systems. Provides ongoing credential refresh and ongoing support contract revenue.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 90% market share among Elks Clubs across USA
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers11 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration1 record

Feature6 records

Partnerships

Nine partnerships are on record, tiered core and supporting.

• Adams RitecoreTechnology or IntegrationAdams Rite has been the aluminum hardware authority for over 100 years, specializing in door hardware lock applications. Their unique, high quality mechanisms interlock the door to the frame for greater strength and durability. Partnership provides aluminum door hardware integration options for Card Lock access control systems.
• Assa AbloycoreTechnology or IntegrationASSA ABLOY Group provides a complete range of door access control systems for institutional, commercial and residential markets. Partnership expands Card Lock's product portfolio with comprehensive door access solutions.
• Continental AccesscoreTechnology or IntegrationContinental Access provides unique hardware and software for their security and access management platform that's easy to program, deploy and use. Integration partner for Card Lock's software-managed access control solutions.
• Fargo (HID Global)supportingTechnology or IntegrationFargo access card and ID printers provide a wide range of features and functions for personal and organizational security. Provides card printing solutions for Card Lock's custom key card orders.
• Farpointe DatasupportingTechnology or IntegrationSince 2003 Farpointe Data has provided reliable and competitively priced RFID door lock access control system products and solutions. Provides RFID/proximity card technology components.
• HES (HES Innovations)supportingTechnology or IntegrationHES Electric Strikes can be mounted on perimeter entries in K-12, healthcare, office spaces, commercial buildings and aluminum storefronts. Provides additional electric strike options for Card Lock installations.
• HID GlobalcoreTechnology or IntegrationOver two billion things that need to be identified, verified and tracked are connected through HID's technology. Products and services secure access to physical and digital places. Partnership enables mobile access credentials through HID Mobile platform.
• MaxxesscoreTechnology or IntegrationMaxxess specializes in security management solutions. Their innovative software allows the freedom to choose the best equipment and configurations for needs. Provides eFusion System used by large customers like Birmingham City Schools.
• Mercury Security Corp.coreTechnology or IntegrationMercury Security Corp provides hardware that's specifically designed for access control systems and adaptable to evolving network environments. Provides core access control hardware components.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• HID Global (ASSA ABLOY): HID Global is the dominant provider of physical access credentials, card readers, and mobile credential platforms. Card Lock directly integrates HID Mobile, but HID also competes head-on with its own end-to-end access control portfolio serving similar fraternal, education, and SMB customers.
• Genetec: Genetec provides unified security software including Synergis access control. It competes with the software-managed IP door systems Card Lock sells for enterprise and education deployments.
• ASSA ABLOY: Global leader in door hardware and access solutions. Card Lock is an ASSA ABLOY technology partner, but ASSA ABLOY's commercial breadth and institutional sales force make it a direct competitor for enterprise and education access control contracts.
• Allegion: Allegion is a major commercial lock and access control manufacturer (Schlage, Von Duprin). Its networked access and electronic lock portfolio overlaps with Card Lock's electric strikes, IP door controllers, and mobile credential offerings for similar institutional buyers.
• ADT Commercial: ADT Commercial sells integrated intrusion, video, and access control solutions to SMB and enterprise customers. It overlaps with Card Lock's installation, monitoring, and multi-site access control value proposition.

Direct peers

• Brivo: Brivo is a pure-play cloud-based access control platform offering mobile credentials and ACaaS subscriptions. It directly competes with Card Lock Cloud for the same multi-site SMB and education customers Card Lock serves.
• Continental Access: Continental Access provides software-managed access control hardware and software that Card Lock integrates. Its end-to-end offering for SMB and education customers directly overlaps with Card Lock's IP Door Access Control line.

Others

• Maxxess: Maxxess is a technology partner whose eFusion system Card Lock resells to enterprise customers like Birmingham City Schools. As an integrated security management software vendor, it can also sell directly, making it an adjacent competitor.
• Mercury Security: Mercury Security supplies OEM access control hardware/controllers that Card Lock integrates. While primarily a supplier, Mercury's LP-series controllers also enable competing access control platforms, making it a partly adjacent player.

Emerging players

• Kisi: Kisi is a cloud-native, mobile-first access control provider focused on SMB and multi-tenant commercial customers. It competes for the same modern ACaaS opportunities as Card Lock Cloud.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/cardlockcompany
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/card-lock-company
• Xx.com/cardlockcompany

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

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 Card Lock Company