Each product is upgraded and improved either because of market demands, or mainly from our own initiative, to keep our products at the leading edge.

To maintain a standard of "under- promise and over supply"

And to work in our clients best interest, by providing end users exactly what they want at an acceptable price

Company Background

Starting in locksmithing in 1969 with his parents business and moving on to start his own locksmithing business in 1983.

The company formed in 1983 is Acorn Locksmiths (from little acorns, big oak trees grow). Acorn Locksmiths is still a major locksmithing company in the Sydney region in Australia and employs seven permanent employees with a number of sub contactors and part time staff.

Acorn Locksmiths has provided the environment for the evolution of Axford locks by creating the opportunity for customers requests to be actioned.

The multi function lock is the first patented lock for Norm Axford, but it is not the first invention.

Among the prior inventions are, accessories to automate or standardise different jobs,
Such as:-

• Standard height measuring stick with marker for installation of large quantities of locksets (on Site)
• Modification to padlock to accept plastic keys for competition purposes, and still maintain security and integrity.
• Special depth gauge for code machine
• Drilling jigs for various automated processes in day to day activities

There are several more projects on the drawing board.

There is an ongoing commitment to expand, help, implement and encourage all aspects of the lock industry

Norm Axford is currently the President of the Master Locksmiths Association of Australasia (NSW Branch), and is involved with various committees in this role.
Including: NSW Security licensing and audits, Competency Standards, Australian Lock Standards, apprenticeships, training and Industry marketing.

I invented the Multi Function Lock as the result of a customer request.

The son of the owner of a large clothing retailer asked for a lock for each of his 29 shops that would fulfil each of the following criteria.

• Could be installed each day at close of trade
• Be completely removed the following day at start of trade
• Be able to keep the lock, even if the shop it belonged to was no longer leased
• Master keyed to his existing master key system
• Easy to operate
• Easy to install (in this application you only need to drill one 7/16"hole)
• Be installed at any height on the door
• Not interfere with floor polishers or other machinery
• Nothing for the customer to trip over
• Would not interfere, damage or obstruct the overhead pelmet

The type of door on each of the shops was the Aluminium and/or plastic roller shutter (Australian brands Monarch & Mirage)

I searched all available catalogues and the Web for a lock that would fulfil this brief. I could not find anything that met the criteria. I rang the customer to tell him, and his response was, "If it does not exist … invent one".
SO I DID.

During the invention process, which took seriously 2 hours it became obvious that I could make it do more than one job. I further developed the lock to fit on Tilt / swing and sliding doors.

The obvious benefit to locksmiths is lower inventory.
With the ability to do many jobs with one product you are able to stock whichever brand of padlock you select and use it with the MFL or as a normal padlock.