Paul Browne, ASSA ABLOY UK Business Director, answers your questions
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WHY IS THE CHUBB BRAND GOING?
The Chubb brand name is actually owned by UTC, an American multinational business renowned for its fire and security business, amongst other things.
Since 2000 ASSA ABLOY has manufactured and sold Chubb Locks under two licences from UTC. The first, which covers the majority of locks and markets, was a 10-year agreement, which ends in 2010.
ASSA ABLOY would have liked to renew the licence but UTC took the strategic decision not to extend the agreement, so we have no option but to re-brand these great products.
The second licence covers a range of detention and specialist locks sold under the Chubb brand by Chubb Locks Custodial Services Ltd. This lasts until 2100 and these products will continue to be branded as Chubb Locks with no change.
WHICH BRANDS WILL CHUBB PRODUCTS BE AVAILABLE UNDER IN THE FUTURE?
The ASSA ABLOY group is fortunate to have some of the most recognised brands in the UK.
UNION is the trusted brand for mortice locks and Yale is the most famous lock brand in the world and is well placed to market the Chubb additional security products.
Remember, even under the UNION and Yale brands, they will be the same Chubb products, with the same product codes, manufactured in the same factories. It is just the packaging that will be different. All warranties and guarantees will be honoured in full.
WHAT ABOUT CHUBB SUPER CENTRE STATUS?
There is no immediate need to remove or replace Chubb signage, fascias or merchandising units or remove signage from stores or vehicles. Indeed customers can continue to sell existing Chubb products they have in stock long after August 2010.
In addition both UNION and Yale will be developing exciting new point of sale and merchandising support for customers as the products roll out under their new brands. And don’t forget, ASSA ABLOY brands also include Mul-T-Lock, for a professional, high security solution, and Mul-T-Lock will also bring new products and support to the market in 2010.
DO I HAVE TO STOP SELLING CHUBB?
No, on the contrary. There is no time limit on you to stop selling Chubb branded products.
The licence agreement, which expires in August 2010, is purely between UTC and ASSA ABLOY.
WILL ANYONE ELSE PRODUCE CHUBB LOCKS AFTER AUGUST 2010?
Under the licence terms nobody else will be able to manufacture or distribute locks under the Chubb name for the remainder of the century. As ASSA ABLOY owns a number of the key patents and trademarks, it means no competitor can copy Chubb products legally.
The only place people will be able to find Chubb locks after 2010 is through the UNION and Yale brands. Remember they will be the same products, with the same codes, made in the same way but branded and packaged differently. They will still be Chubb at Heart.
We are committed to keeping customers fully informed of our progress in migrating the Chubb branded products to the UNION and Yale brands during 2010. This website will be regularly updated.
Paul Browne
Business Development Director, ASSA ABLOY UK