APECS

What APECS does

APECS (legal entity APECS Consult Ltd.) is a UK-based, family-owned designer and manufacturer of high-security door hardware, established in 1991 and headquartered in Tipton, West Midlands. The company designs, manufactures and distributes a multi-line product portfolio covering Euro cylinders (the flagship KM 3 Star / Sold Secure Diamond Grade AP Series, the mid-market XS Dual and the value BASE range), Tedee-branded smart locks (distributed rather than manufactured), the DIREKT door hardware range (handles, letterplates, viewers, knockers), window hardware, locks, padlocks (via the co-branded Squire X APECS line), key blanks, and accessories. Manufacturing is carried out in APECS's own factories and in-house testing laboratories in China (Shanghai and Beijing), with compliance testing to European, Chinese and US standards; the company holds patent-pending anti-snap protection technology and the proprietary Key Secure copy-protection system.

The business operates a trade-led go-to-market model targeting professional locksmiths and door manufacturers through registered trade accounts (online, phone, email, in-person) at its Tipton distribution centre, complemented by a UK network of Prime Key Cutting Centres, the core LockFit franchise partnership (~100 territories), historical retail distribution via Leroy Merlin, B&Q and OBI, and trade-show presence at events such as FIT Show. Revenue is generated through hardware unit sales and ancillary key-cutting services; trade pricing is restricted to registered account holders, with only suggested RRP published publicly.

Customer segments are split between primary B2B channels (locksmiths and door fabricators integrating APECS hardware into their installations) and a secondary end-consumer channel accessing key cutting, warranty registration and replacement product purchases. The company is led by Managing Director Nik Goncharov and a team of approximately 45 employees, with no external institutional funding or parent-company ownership identified. Certifications including KM 3 Star, Sold Secure Diamond Grade, KM 1 Star and BS3621 underpin the premium positioning, while value propositions such as a £2,500 break-in guarantee on the AP Euro Cylinder, a 5-year warranty and a Lifetime Finish Guarantee on door hardware reinforce quality differentiation in the UK market.

Name

APECS

Legal name

APECS Consult Ltd.

Website

https://apecs.co.uk

Company type

Private

Founded year

1991

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

APECS is a UK-based, family-owned manufacturer of high-security door hardware founded in 1991, serving locksmiths and door manufacturers through trade accounts with certified cylinders, smart locks, and a full DIREKT door hardware range, manufactured in its own Chinese factories.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Door Hardware and Locking Solutions

NAICS

Hardware Retailers (44414), Locksmiths (561622)

akta.pro primary industry

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

akta.pro secondary industry

Smart Locks & Access Control Retail (CRACAGAD)

Keywords

• High security cylinders
• Door hardware manufacturing
• Smart lock solutions
• Key cutting services
• Locking systems

Headquarters

HQ city

Tipton

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

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

Revenue model

1. Product Sales: APECS generates revenue through the sale of high-security cylinders, locks, door hardware, window hardware, padlocks, and accessories to trade customers (locksmiths, door manufacturers) and end consumers.
2. Key Cutting Services: APECS provides key cutting services for APECS products through their office and Prime Key Cutting Centres across the UK.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

APECS designs, manufactures, and distributes high-security door cylinders, locks, padlocks, door hardware, window hardware, and smart locks through its own factories in China and UK headquarters in Tipton. The company sells primarily to trade customers (locksmiths and door manufacturers) via trade accounts and offers associated key cutting services through its Prime Key Cutting Centres.

Product overview

APECS is a manufacturer and distributor of high-security door hardware and locking solutions. The product portfolio is organized around several core product lines: (1) Euro cylinders including the AP Series (premium KM 3 Star/Sold Secure Diamond Grade), XS Series (mid-range KM 1 Star), and BASE Series (value-oriented dual finish); (2) Tedee smart locks including Pro, Go, Bridge, Keypad PRO, and Bar accessories for smart home connectivity; (3) door hardware under the DIREKT brand covering handles, letterplates, viewers, knockers, and numerals; (4) window hardware including inline handles; (5) Squire X APECS collaborative padlocks; (6) locks including sashlocks and the AP X Adaptalock; (7) door closers and hinges; and (8) key blanks and accessories. The company also offers the Key Secure service for secure key copying. APECS operates from the UK with manufacturing capabilities in China and maintains its own testing facilities for product certification.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• AP Cylinder KM 3 Star and Sold Secure Diamond Grade Euro Cylinder Lock offering the highest level of security certification available in the UK, with anti-snap protection and a £2,500 Break-In Guarantee.
• XS Dual Cylinder Dual finish, KM 1 Star open-profile cylinder combining high security with an affordable price point, supporting up to 1000 different differs under a master key for streamlined systems.
• BASE EURO Cylinder Dual finish Euro cylinder offering good protection at an affordable price point.
• Tedee Pro Smart Lock Smart lock enabling new ways to enter and protect homes, combining innovation and elegance for home security transformation.
• Tedee Go Smart Lock Smart lock designed to make doors smart in minutes, providing convenient smart home access.
• Tedee Bridge Wi-Fi bridge accessory that connects smart locks to the network for online mode benefits and remote access.
• Tedee Keypad PRO Fingerprint and PIN-enabled smart access keypad designed for use with Tedee smart locks.
• NP75 Euro Sashlock Narrow profile sashlock ideal for aluminium doors, corrosion tested using Neutral Salt Spray testing for at least 72 hours.
• APECS AP X ADAPTALOCK Combined product featuring 3 Star BSI Diamond AP Cylinder and Adaptalock Sold Secure Bronze Single MPL for enhanced multi-point locking security.
• DC 204 Door Closer Compact fixed power fire resistant overhead door closer suited to most common aluminium, timber or hollow metal doors and frames, passed 240-hour NSS corrosion testing and 60-minute in-house fire resistance testing.
• DIREKT HYBRID 215MM DOOR HANDLES Engineered for modern multipoint locking systems, delivering smooth operation, long-term durability, and excellent corrosion resistance for residential and commercial doors.
• DIREKT STANDARD 122MM DOOR HANDLES Compact professional-grade replacement solution for 92PZ multipoint locking systems, delivering smooth operation and precise compatibility.
• DIREKT STANDARD 215MM DOOR HANDLES Reliable professional-grade replacement door handles with smooth operation, broad compatibility, and long-term durability for modern multipoint locking systems.
• DIREKT LETTERPLATE 12-inch heavy duty letterbox designed for demanding residential and commercial applications, combining robust construction with smart-ready capability.
• DIREKT DOOR VIEWER Wide-angle door viewer providing clear expanded visibility while maintaining a discreet low-profile appearance for enhanced entrance security.
• DIREKT INLINE WINDOW HANDLES Versatile non-handed locking solution for uPVC, timber, and aluminium windows, compatible with standard espagnolette and shootbolt systems.
• APECS Key Secure Service Security code-based service preventing unauthorized copying of APECS keys; customers create a code and new key copies can only be made when that code is provided.
• 3D 60 CONCEALED HINGES Fully 3D adjustable concealed hinges ideal for flush faced or wooden doors up to 60kg in commercial and residential buildings, with security design featuring no external vulnerable components.
• INOX STANDARD HINGES Stainless steel standard hinges ideal for light duty interior doors in residential and commercial buildings, featuring four ball bearings for smooth quiet operation.
• SQUIRE SS80C Padlock 80mm closed shackle padlock with CEN 6 Plus certification, part of the Squire X APECS collaborative product line.
• APECS DRY LUBE Formulated lubricant product designed to protect all types of locks from wear and corrosion.
• Key Cutting Services APECS provides key cutting services for APECS products through their Tipton office and across the Prime Key Cutting Centres network in the UK, with AP Cylinder key cutting priced at £13.98 per key.
• AI Secure Door fabricator market product line launched in 2019 to expand APECS beyond traditional lock manufacturing into door fabrication solutions.

Quantifiable outcome

• AP Cylinder is the most secure cylinder available in the UK market with both KM 3 Star and Sold Secure Diamond Grade certifications
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature2 records

Partnerships

One partnership is on record.

• LockFit FranchisecoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorLockFit is a national mobile locksmith franchise that has grown to nearly 100 franchise territories across the UK. APECS is the chosen lock supplier for the LockFit franchise, providing consistent pricing, outstanding customer service, and superior-quality products to the franchise network. Kevin Russell, Managing Director of LockFit, specifically cited APECS products and services as supporting the high quality standards of their franchise operations.

Scale indicators2 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• Allegion: US-listed security products group owning brands such as Briton, CISA, and Schlage. Comparable as a multi-brand lock and hardware portfolio with both mechanical and electronic lock exposure, competing for institutional and trade accounts globally.
• ASSA ABLOY: Global access solutions conglomerate and parent of Yale, Union, and VingCard. Operates broadly across mechanical and electronic locks; represents the largest competitive threat and potential roll-up acquirer for independent specialists like APECS.
• Yale (ASSA ABLOY): Global consumer and trade lock brand offering cylinders, mortice locks, and smart locks across the UK. Operates as the mass-market incumbent under ASSA ABLOY, competing with APECS on price and brand awareness while overlapping heavily on product categories and channel.

Direct peers

• Squire: British padlock and high-security lock manufacturer with which APECS has a co-branded 'Squire X APECS' product line (e.g., SS80C padlock). Comparable on premium padlocks and cylinder security certifications.
• Brisant Secure: UK lock manufacturer specialising in high-security euro cylinders with Sold Secure Diamond accreditation, plus the Ultion smart lock. Direct competitor to APECS's AP Series cylinders and an emerging rival on connected locks.
• ERA: One of the UK's largest lock and home security hardware manufacturers, selling cylinders, mortice locks, and door hardware through trade channels. APECS's Business Operations Manager Louise Browne previously worked at ERA, and the two compete directly for locksmith and door manufacturer shelf space in the UK.
• UAP Ltd: UK door hardware manufacturer offering cylinders, handles, letterplates, and door furniture under multiple brands. Direct competitor to APECS's full hardware portfolio, particularly in the door fabricator segment APECS entered with AI Secure.
• Fullex: UK manufacturer of multipoint locking systems, door locks, and security hardware for PVCu and composite doors. Competes with APECS for door manufacturer specifications and sashlock business.
• Avocet Hardware: UK-based hardware manufacturer offering ABS-rated euro cylinders, door handles, and letterplates. Competes with APECS on cylinders and DIREKT door hardware ranges, particularly in the trade and fabricator channels.
• Mul-T-Lock: High-security cylinder specialist with master-key systems and snap-resistant technology, directly comparable to APECS's AP Series. Targets the same locksmith and door manufacturer channels with similar premium security positioning.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/ApecsLocks
• Facebookfacebook.com/apecslocks
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/apecs-locks-uk
• Instagraminstagram.com/apecslocks

Compliance6 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles13 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 APECS