Success stories often start with a small but brilliant idea – and the belief that it can grow into something big. SimonsVoss Technologies GmbH began the same way – founded by visionaries who revolutionised the locking systems market, evolving from a small startup into a major player.

The SimonsVoss company name is powered by innovative minds: Ludger Voss and a business partner from college founded the company back in November 1995 – driven by the vision of creating a pioneering new compact access control system. They rented a small loft office in Munich's Schwabing district and brought Herbert Meyerle on board as the firm’s system architect and strategist. Together, they set out to modernise locking technology, which had previously been largely mechanical. However, the digital mortice lock they developed was initially too expensive, with too many door variants. In autumn 1997, the team came up with the idea of integrating the system into the thumb turns of locking cylinders. By 1998, the first successful prototypes of the “3060” were available. Dealers industry-wide immediately recognized its enormous potential – and thus the success story began. The numbers speak for themselves: Since establishing the company, around 4,400,000 locks have been installed, using approximately 10,000,000 transponders.

Tailored solutions for facilities of any size

Today, SimonsVoss is one of Europe's technology leaders in digital locking systems. In 2015, the company became an Allegion™ brand, working with more than 2,000 specialist trade partners across Europe and around the globe. Under the motto “The finest in keyless security”, the company continues to refine its modular solutions, enabling facilities of all types and sizes to be secured with access control tailored to their specific needs. There are three major building blocks for accessing the keyless world: System 3060 and the Digital Cylinder AX, which serve as digital locking solutions for large companies and public buildings; Smart Intego, which allows integration into existing building technology systems; and Mobile Key, a digital locking solution for small and medium-sized businesses, as well as for facilities with up to 20 doors. No building is too small or too historic – each can be equipped with a solution offering customised functionality and design. Maximum flexibility is also guaranteed for different areas of a building, with corresponding digital locking products available – from locking cylinders to SmartHandle door fittings to padlocks.

“Made in Germany” – twelve years of production in Osterfeld

The company's guiding values encompass not only innovation and a focus on quality and service, but also a commitment to Germany as an industrial location: The company is headquartered in Unterföhring, near Munich, with a production and logistics centre in Osterfeld. This expanded site in Saxony-Anhalt celebrated its 10th anniversary in 2023. The 6,500-square-metre facility houses incoming goods, production, warehousing, shipping, quality management and after-sales service. Its buildings’ sustainable energy concept ensures the smallest possible environmental footprint. “The site has enabled us to double production capacity for our digital cylinders, SmartHandle digital door fittings and smart relays. This is a further step in securing our sustainable growth and expanding our market position,” explained SimonsVoss Managing Director Bernhard Sommer, at the facility's inauguration twelve years ago. In 2020, production was further expanded with the construction of a new building.

Innovations announced for 2026

“Never give up...the road to success is hard,” noted Ludger Voss in an interview marking the company's 25th anniversary that year. Its founder explains how SimonsVoss plays a leading role in the European market today: “We essentially tapped into an entirely new market with our idea, gaining the learning that a manufacturer always needs a complete system to succeed. A core group of long-serving employees has also contributed to this success, retaining expertise within the company and making many innovations possible.” SimonsVoss will continue on this path, with further software and product innovations announced for 2026. “As well as further developing our digital locking systems, SimonsVoss will also focus on creating a future-oriented software platform going forward. We see considerable potential in cloud solutions, modern software and integrations.
The needs of our customers are at the heart of our strategy for continued technological development,” announced Marcus Alt, CTO and Head of Research and Development at SimonsVoss.

SimonsVoss Technologies GmbH, with headquarters in Unterfoehring near Munich and a production and logistics center in Osterfeld/Saxony-Anhalt, has been part of Allegion™ since September 2015 and is thus part of a globally active network. Since the market launch of its digital locking and access control system "3060" in 1998, the company has modernised its (once predominantly mechanical) locking technology in line with modern technological standards and is now regarded as a European technology leader in the field of battery-powered electronic locking and access control systems.