Schlage
| Company type | Subsidiary |
|---|---|
| Industry | Lock manufacturing, Security hardware |
| Founded | 1920 |
| Founder | Walter Schlage |
| Headquarters | Colorado Springs, Colorado , United States |
Area served | United States |
Key people | Charles Kendrick (former CEO) |
| Products | Locks, high-security keys, cylinder systems, smart locks |
Number of employees | 1600 (1974) |
| Parent | Allegion (since 2013) |
Schlage () is a prominent American manufacturer specializing in locks, established in 1920 by Walter Schlage. Originally based in San Francisco, the company's headquarters moved to Colorado Springs, Colorado in 1997. Schlage is known for producing advanced high-security keys and cylinder systems, including the Primus, Everest, and Everest Primus XP series. It stands as a major player in both residential and commercial lock markets throughout the United States.
History
Walter Schlage, an inventor, founded the company alongside three partners in 1920, leveraging his patented breakthroughs such as the bored cylindrical lock, which offered easier installation compared to traditional mortise locks, and doorknobs integrated with electrical circuits. Patents filed between 1909 and 1925 established the groundwork for Schlage’s lock mechanisms, leading to the successful launch of the "A" series lock.
The company initially operated out of facilities on Minna Street and Bush Street in San Francisco before opening its first manufacturing plant at 49 Shotwell Street in 1923. Due to increased demand, Schlage purchased land in Visitacion Valley in 1925 and developed the Bayshore factory complex, comprising eight buildings that were completed by 1926.
After making a substantial investment, Charles Kendrick assumed the role of CEO and remained in charge until 1969. During World War II, Schlage shifted part of its production to military components like shell casings and bomb fuses. Following the war, it supplied locking hardware for major constructions such as the Pan Am Building (1964) and Bank of America Headquarters (1969). The company also grew through acquisitions including California Lock Company, Peabody Company, LCN Closers, Von Duprin Factory, and General Lock Company.
In 1974, Ingersoll Rand acquired Schlage when it employed approximately 1,600 workers and was recognized as San Francisco’s largest manufacturing employer. The company relocated its offices near Bayshore and Leland streets. Remaining under Ingersoll Rand’s ownership for nearly forty years, Schlage was eventually spun off along with other security hardware businesses to create Allegion in December 2013.
After operating for 73 years, Schlage closed its Bayshore manufacturing site in 1999. Environmental concerns led to transferring ownership of the 12.3-acre property to Universal Paragon Corporation in 2008. Due to contamination issues, legal proceedings were initiated against Ingersoll Rand to enforce cleanup obligations. Demolition of the site started in 2009 with intentions to preserve the original Spanish Colonial "Old Office" building from 1926 while redeveloping the area for affordable housing projects.
Keyway types
To prevent unauthorized key duplication, Schlage utilizes intricately milled keyways designed to restrict access. These keyway configurations are frequently safeguarded by patents; however, once these patents expire after several years, third-party manufacturers can legally produce compatible keys. Notably, Primus key patents expired by 2008, followed by Everest patents in 2014, allowing wider availability of these key designs.
Primus/Primus XP
Primus keys incorporate six standard cuts along with five side finger pins that engage a secondary sidebar locking mechanism. They can operate non-Primus locks within the same system; however, non-Primus keys cannot operate Primus locks due to the use of narrower blanks and distinct keyways. The initial Primus design held patent protection until 2007, while the updated Primus XP model remains patented through 2024. Schlage licenses this technology from Bo Widen of Torshälla, Sweden, who is both the original inventor and patent holder.
Everest
The Everest series features a patented under-groove keyway design safeguarded by utility patents until 2014. Everest Primus keys are capable of operating Everest non-Primus locks, but the reverse is not true. The Everest Primus XP variant extends this design with patent protection lasting until 2024. Schlage’s offerings include Everest 29 SL Cylinders with seven pins and Everest 29 Family/Primus models with six pins. Like Primus, this design was created and patented by Bo Widen and licensed to Schlage.
Obverse
There are seven distinct keyways: C, CE, E, EF, F, FG, and G. A specialized P keyway is compatible with all seven sectional keys, while an L key blank (35-101 L) fits every one of these keyways. OEM L section blanks are manufactured from stainless steel.
The older, widely used residential keyway is the 35-100C model, which features five pins in the C section.
Reverse (restricted)
This family represents a horizontal mirror image of the obverse keyways but is no longer available and does not include a Primus option.
Numbered or Paracentric (restricted)
This category utilizes four-digit keyway codes that prohibit repeating digits except for zeros; for example, 3578 and 1358 are valid codes, whereas 1244 is invalid. Primus options are not offered in this family. Odd-numbered digits correspond to notches on the left side of the keyway, while even digits correspond to those on the right. Keys with fewer protrusions can access multiple locks within master key systems.
Quad (restricted)
Represented by four-character codes such as WSTP or VTQP, this extensive family supports Primus functionality.
Key copying
At DEF CON 2013, students from MIT developed software that allowed for creating 3D-printable models of Primus keys using a flatbed scanner. They successfully commissioned functional duplicates through services like Shapeways and i.Materialise using materials ranging from nylon to titanium.
Smart locks
In 2013, Schlage introduced the Connect deadbolt featuring compatibility with Z-Wave and Zigbee protocols for integration with Amazon Alexa and Google Home. The Sense deadbolt followed in 2015, adding Bluetooth connectivity and Apple Home support; both models require a hub to enable Wi-Fi functionality. The Encode deadbolt launched in 2019 as Schlage’s first lock equipped with built-in Wi-Fi capability. In 2023, Schlage expanded the Encode line by releasing a Lever latch lock variant. The Encode Plus deadbolt arrived in 2022 with Thread radio support for Apple Home integration and was the first to adopt Apple’s NFC home key standard. In 2025, Schlage announced the Sense Pro deadbolt featuring Matter protocol compatibility, ultra-wideband digital keys via the Aliro standard, and marking their initial offering of a completely keyless smart lock.
Nexia Home Intelligence
Nexia Home Intelligence is a home automation platform developed by Schlage in partnership with Ingersoll Rand that enables remote operation and monitoring of smart devices. It establishes a wireless network connecting Z-Wave enabled locks, thermostats, lighting systems, and cameras to the internet through the Schlage Bridge. Users control these devices via smartphone apps or web browsers on computers; accessing this service requires a monthly subscription.
Following the spin-off of IR-Allegion, Nexia remains managed by Ingersoll Rand and is no longer supported by Schlage. A prominent security feature called "depth control" detects unauthorized use of assigned PIN codes and blocks access accordingly. Schlage products compatible with Nexia integrate seamlessly with major smart home ecosystems such as HomeKit while preserving critical security functions under defined conditions.