Wordlock
Wordlock manufactures brass, steel and zinc locks that use a letter combination locking system instead of numbers.
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Wordlock, Inc. operates in the consumer durables market, specifically focusing on security products. The company was established in 2007 in Santa Clara, California, by the husband-and-wife team of Todd and Rahn Basche. The inspiration for the company came from Todd Basche's personal frustration with the difficulty of remembering numerical combinations for traditional locks. Todd, a former Vice President of Software Applications at Apple Inc., leveraged his software background to develop the core product concept.
The business centers on manufacturing and selling combination padlocks, bicycle locks, and cable locks that use letters to form memorable words instead of numbers. This allows users to set their combinations to four or five-letter words, simplifying recall. The product's underlying technology includes a patented algorithm developed by Todd Basche, which maximizes the number of possible words while excluding undesirable ones. The company holds patents for its combination discus lock assembly. Wordlock's product line serves a broad consumer base, including parents, students, gym-goers, and property owners, with applications for everything from school lockers and bikes to luggage and gates. They also offer specialized versions, such as Spanish-language locks and TSA-approved luggage locks.
Wordlock's revenue is generated through the sale of its physical lock products via a wide distribution network. Initially launched exclusively with Staples after winning their Invention Quest in 2005, the company's distribution expanded significantly to over 12,000 retail locations, including major retailers like Target and Walgreens, as well as online platforms like Amazon. The company raised $8.69 million in funding from investors including Kohlberg Ventures, The Angels' Forum, and U.S. Venture Partners. On March 31, 2023, Wordlock was acquired by True Value and now operates as a subsidiary of H2 Brands Group.
Keywords: combination locks, word-based security, padlock manufacturer, bicycle locks, personal security products, consumer durables, letter combination lock, Todd Basche, Rahn Basche, luggage locks, cable locks, key storage, security hardware, patented lock technology, retail security products, True Value acquisition, H2 Brands Group, consumer goods, lock manufacturing, memorable combinations