Master Lock
Master Lock Company, LLC is an American manufacturer of padlocks, combination locks, safes, and security products, founded in 1921 by locksmith and inventor Harry Soref in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.[1][2] The company gained prominence through Soref's 1924 patent for the laminated steel padlock, an innovation that enhanced durability by layering steel plates around the lock's core, setting a standard for weather-resistant security.[2][3] By the mid-20th century, Master Lock had become the largest padlock producer in the United States, bolstered by its acquisition in 1970 by American Brands (later Fortune Brands Innovations, Inc.), under which it expanded globally and diversified its product line to include resettable combination locks introduced in 1982, TSA-approved travel locks in 2004, and Bluetooth-enabled smart padlocks in 2015.[1][2] Iconic advertising campaigns, starting with the 1974 Super Bowl "shot lock" commercial demonstrating product resilience, reinforced its reputation for toughness with the tagline "Tough Under Fire."[2] In recent years, Master Lock has acquired brands like Yale and August in 2023 while facing operational shifts, including the 2024 closure of its century-old Milwaukee manufacturing plant and the 2025 relocation of its Oak Creek headquarters to Deerfield, Illinois, as part of parent company consolidations.[1][4]