Our History
From the brilliant idea to the company's founding and up to the present day - learn more about Uhlmann & Zacher GmbH here!
Uhlmann & Zacher is one of the fastest-growing providers of electronic locking systems in Germany. Over 120 employees successfully fulfill their ambition of always being one step ahead of the market. Numerous patents and new product launches speak for themselves. More than 1 million electronic locking units "made by Uhlmann & Zacher" are already in reliable operation today.
Since January 2025, Uhlmann & Zacher has been part of the Assa Abloy Group.
The electronic compact knob cylinder received VdS certification in 2024. Due to the high quality standards and the associated reputation of VdS-certified products, these certifications are accepted throughout Europe and internationally and are therefore frequently required in tenders for security-relevant applications.
In 2023, Uhlmann & Zacher installed a photovoltaic system at its headquarters in Waldbüttelbrunn. This is a further step towards advancing our commitment to sustainability. By feeding the self-generated, renewable energy into the grid, we aim to further reduce our CO2 emissions in the future.
The Clex prime locking system, a flexible locking system for medium and large buildings, has been expanded to include Clex prime mobile. This allows doors to be opened via smartphone.
At the end of the year, the 1,000,000th electronic locking unit from our partner, Georg Jungblut Sicherheitstechnik GmbH, will be installed in the building of the chemical and pharmaceutical company Merck KGaA. The first mobile access solution, Clex private mobile, will be launched, enabling doors to be opened via smartphone.
Uhlmann & Zacher launches its first proprietary app: the Keyng Smartphone App. It is available for both iOS and Android.
The app is ideal for managing locking systems in small to medium-sized properties such as medical practices, law firms, smaller office units, or private homes.
Uhlmann & Zacher will be awarded the Innovation Prize of the Mittelstands-Union Unterfranken (Association of Small and Medium-Sized Businesses in Lower Franconia). The prize is awarded to medium-sized companies that are active not only regionally but also internationally and have distinguished themselves through their particularly future-oriented approach and innovative strength.
The extension will double the total area of the company building in Waldbüttelbrunn. New office and production areas, as well as a modern high-bay warehouse, will be created. The company will reach the milestone of 100 employees.
At the beginning of the year, the 500,000th electronic locking unit will be sold, a milestone in the company's history. Construction work on an extension to the main building will begin in the summer.
The company is celebrating its 25th anniversary. This year also sees the launch of a major innovation: the CX6172 electronic door handle goes into series production and wins several awards.
The French subsidiary "Uhlmann & Zacher France S.A.S." is established in Emerainville, near Paris.
The CX6172 electronic door handle is presented to the public for the first time at the Security trade fair in Essen.
More than 300,000 electronic locking units are already in reliable use.
The number of employees rises to over 50.
ClexTouch software for tablet PCs is being introduced. Extensive software tools significantly simplify facility management.
The introduction of the access point creates a "security network." This allows for the design of a wide variety of wireless networks. The knob modules come standard with a 3-segment LED indicator for improved visualization of authorization status. Intuitive operation enhances user-friendliness.
The OEM business will be further expanded.
The third strategic business area, "Integrators," is created by developing open interfaces in the locking system's software.
Uhlmann & Zacher is among the first providers of electronic offline solutions to equip its products with MIFARE® DESFire®, the latest leading technology.
The new high-security cylinder combines maximum mechanical security with electronic flexibility. The electronic furniture lock is being launched. It allows furniture such as medicine cabinets to be integrated into the electronic locking system.
Alongside the OEM business, the company is launching its own brand, Clex prime, and expanding its Europe-wide network of specialist retailers.
The knob module is being developed – a world first.
During the first half of the year, all departments will move into the new building at Gutenbergstrasse 2 - 4 in Waldbuettelbrunn.
Uhlmann & Zacher is shifting its business activities exclusively to the development and manufacturing of hardware, electronics and firmware for electronic locking systems.
The German patent DE19603320 for the electronic locking cylinder with centrifugal clutch is granted.
Carl H. Scheuermann was recruited by the company and has been responsible for development ever since.
Martin Uhlmann's father, Günter Uhlmann, invented the electronic locking cylinder. Uhlmann & Zacher developed software for simple locking systems. This area became the second mainstay for the young company.
The business idea to develop comprehensive software solutions for the hotel market was born in the family-run hotel owned by the Uhlmanns. Uhlmann & Zacher GmbH was founded by Martin Uhlmann and Dr. Marc Zacher. In the following years, Uhlmann & Zacher offered hoteliers systems ranging from administration and inventory management to point-of-sale software and telephone system management.