When the company was founded in 1995, the objective was to increase the convenience and security of locking systems using state-of-the-art electronic technologies.
The Munich location proved itself to be extremely beneficial to the basic development process, because the large number of electronic firms presented a good basis for the swift setup of a capable development department. Two of the company founders – Ludger Voss, now Chief Technology Officer and Head of Software Development, and Herbert Meyerle, now Head of Hardware Development – were the brains behind the system.
SimonsVoss made its breakthrough with the world’s first wireless digital locking cylinder, which was presented at Security in 1998 and put into mass production by the end of the same year. The product range was continuously being expanded; 1999 saw the launch of the wireless network 3065 for online programming and recording data and the availability of the free-turning cylinder. For simple offline programming on site, a programming device was developed based on a hand-held computer.
In April 2003, SimonsVoss was certified by TÜV for the first time in accordance with ISO 9001. The TÜV certification confirmed SimonsVoss’ compliance with the regulations and conduct required for consistent quality in all areas of a company, from development to production.
In 2004 two global innovations were presented at the Security trade show in Essen: the WaveNet radio network 3065 and the wireless PinCode keypad 3068. This period also saw the successful founding of sales locations in Singapore, the UK, Dubai, Austria and the Netherlands.
2008 saw initial availability of the first “Network Inside” locking cylinder 3060 which could be directly networked, enabling SimonsVoss to implement networked locking and access control systems cost-effectively for the first time.
In 2009, SimonsVoss expanded the range of networking options with powerful virtual networking. This makes SimonsVoss the only manufacturer capable of offering a wide range of networking options and guaranteeing investment security for customers for future system expansions.
SimonsVoss Technologies AG is the world’s leading supplier on the electronic locking and access control systems market. This was confirmed in December 2009 by a report entitled “The World Market for Electronic Physical Access Control Equipment – 2009 Edition” by the renowned market research company IMS Research.
The report reveals that SimonsVoss also occupies a strong position on the general market for electronic access control equipment. In the EMEA region, the company is the fourth highest ranking supplier.
International activities were also further intensified with the establishment of more sales offices in Spain and Italy.
Between 1995 and 1997, the focus was on developing extremely low-energy electronic modules for use in largely wireless system components, innovative mechanical functions and active transponder technology as the core for operating all system components. 1997 saw the first product – a wireless electronic lock – launched on the market.
As part of the expansion process, the company headquarters was moved from Munich to Unterföhring at the start of 2000. In July 2000, the first foreign sales location was opened in France.
As part of ongoing expansion, production and logistics was relocated from Königshütte in the Harz region to Petersberg near Jena in August 2002. The Petersberg location enables SimonsVoss to continuously adapt its production capacity to rapidly growing demand.
January 2006 saw the founding of a subsidiary in the US, which undertakes both product development work for the North American market and system sales in the NAFTA region.
In January 2007 the fourth generation of digital cylinders was successfully launched, with yet more attractive features, and the wireless biometric wall reader Q3008 was also presented.
September 2007 saw the sales network expanded with the establishment of another sales office in Belgium.
In February 2010 the company launched SmartHandle 3062, the electronic door handle. Further new additions to the product range will be showcased at Security in Essen in October 2010.
The new regional headquarters of SimonsVoss Technologies in Singapore, opened in June 2010, is part of a comprehensive strategy to focus on international expansion and optimally support a fast-growing Asian customer base. SimonsVoss Technologies is leveraging the economic upturn in Asia to expand its presence on the Asian market.
SimonsVoss currently employs more than 245 members of staff at its headquarters in Munich, the production site in Petersberg and the foreign subsidiaries.