ASSA ABLOY Entrance Systems Marks 20 Years of Expansion

ASSA ABLOY's Entrance Systems division is marking its 20th anniversary this year, reflecting two decades of significant expansion and transformation. The division has evolved from a business primarily focused on automatic pedestrian doors into a global provider of comprehensive entrance automation solutions and services.

The division's origins trace back to the 2002 acquisition of Besam, a Swedish company and a leader in automatic pedestrian doors, which signaled ASSA ABLOY's entry into the entrance automation market. This acquisition laid the groundwork for the formal establishment of the Entrance Systems division in 2006, incorporating Besam along with other acquired entities and expertise.

Growth has been fueled by a series of strategic acquisitions to broaden the product and service offering. The acquisition of Ditec and Portsystem expanded the portfolio to include industrial doors and docking systems. A significant step was the 2011 acquisition of Cardo, which brought the Crawford brand and substantially increased the division's capabilities. Further strengthening its North American presence, the division acquired Amarr in 2013.

Recent acquisitions, such as record in 2020 and SKIDATA in 2024, have continued this trajectory. The SKIDATA acquisition expanded the division's reach into adjacent markets, including parking management and access solutions for venues like stadiums and ski resorts. Moving forward, Entrance Systems aims to continue its growth by strengthening its core business, enhancing service capabilities, and fostering closer customer relationships through a blend of organic development and targeted acquisitions.