Huge Technological Advances Over Last Few Years Have Increased Value of Locks as an Effective Home-Sales Tool
LAKE FOREST, CA (July 24, 2015) – In recent years, there have been revolutionary changes in homebuilding and home sales thanks to home automation technologies. In fact, these technologies have evolved into an effective sales tool for many of the nation's premier homebuilders, allowing them to "differentiate and distinguish" their offerings from those of their competitors.
This trend should come as no surprise, given the constantly growing increase in smart home technology; consumer interest in smart homes is growing dramatically every year. According to a Berg’s Insight smart home and automation report, North America recorded strong growth in the smart home market during 2014. The installed base of smart home systems in the region increased by 75% to reach 10.2 million at the year-end. Also, according to a recent Consumer Electronics Association report, home security is a key component of home automation technologies – 36% of the households with these smart home systems have a security product installed.
Not surprisingly, one of the most sought-after elements of today’s digital home among homebuyers is the electronic lock. Over the last five or six years, there have been huge technological advances in the world of door locks, each of which has increased the value of locks as an effective home-sales tool.
Kwikset is a leading manufacturer of electronic keyless locks, and the company’s SmartCode™ locks with Home Connect™ technology are the industry’s leading wireless, access control lock solution for the smart home. According to Kwikset Sales Director, Dave Seeman, “New construction is moving ahead and continues to grow at a respectable pace. With this uptick in building comes the accompanying need for homebuilders to differentiate their inventory from competitive offerings. Advanced technology like Kwikset’s SmartCode 916 is clearly becoming a differentiator and a significant selling tool.”
Some of the advances in today’s smart locks that are of particular interest to today’s homebuyer include: re-key technology, which provides the flexibility for homeowners to re-key their own locks quickly and easily, without having to remove the locks from the door; the ability to use and assign personal codes to allow home access; the ability for locks to wirelessly talk with other devices in the home; and the ability to remotely communicate with and control the lock.
Said Rob Hodak, Vice President Purchasing & Product Standards for Toll Brothers, one of the nation’s leading builders of luxury homes, “The ability to control your home electronics from the front door and grant home access from anywhere in the country or even the world is a significant selling tool. Suddenly the lock is not just another potential aesthetic upgrade. To many buyers, the smart lock can be a very desirable feature.”
About Kwikset
Kwikset (www.kwikset.com), the leader in residential security, manufactures and markets a complete line of door locks and door hardware, including door knobs, door levers, deadbolts, handlesets, pocket door hardware and electronic keyless entry locks for residential and light commercial applications. Kwikset’s SmartCode™ locks with Home Connect™ technology are the industry’s leading wireless, access control lock solution for the smart home.
About Hardware and Home Improvement
Kwikset is part of Hardware and Home Improvement (HHI), a major manufacturer and supplier of residential locksets, residential builders’ hardware and faucets with a portfolio of renowned brands, including Kwikset®, Weiser®, Baldwin®, National Hardware®, Stanley®, FANAL®, Pfister™ and EZSET®. HHI is a leader in its key markets with #1 positions in U.S. residential locksets (Kwikset), Canada residential locksets (Weiser), U.S. luxury locksets (Baldwin), and U.S. builders’ hardware (Stanley-National Hardware), #2 in Mexico residential hardware (Fanal), and #3 in U.S. retail plumbing (Pfister). Headquartered in Orange County, California, HHI has a global sales force and operates manufacturing and distribution facilities in the U.S., Canada, Mexico and Asia. HHI is a division of Spectrum Brands Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: SPB).
About Spectrum Brands
Spectrum Brands is a global, diversified consumer products company and a leading supplier of consumer batteries, residential locksets, residential builders’ hardware and faucets, shaving and grooming products, personal care products, small household appliances, specialty pet supplies, lawn and garden and home pest control products, personal insect repellents, and auto care products. Spectrum Brands employs over 15,000 employees worldwide and sells to the top 25 global retailers with products in more than one million stores representing 160 countries.