Banham, a London-based ‘security provider’, has continued to grow its business with the acquisition of the British lock manufacturer Guardian.

Founded in 1926, Banham is the ‘largest provider’ of home security systems in London and the South East of England. The business, currently in its fourth generation of Banham family, has seen significant year-on-year growth over its 95 years in operation.

Banham has worked in partnership with Guardian for over 20 years, their long-standing relationship having been built on sharing several key company values: ‘championing’ British lock manufacturing; and achieving excellence through using only the finest craftsmanship for their products. This acquisition formally consolidates this already successful working partnership.

Guardian Lock and Engineering Co, which was founded in 19820, is the largest independently owned lock manufacturer in the UK owning three lock brands: Imperial, Benton and Worrall. Since 1984, the company has occupied 20,000ft² premises in the home of Britain’s lock-making industry — Willenhall, West Midlands.

Guardian will continue to be run as an independent company as part of the Banham Group, with director David Bate at the helm (he has has been with Guardian since its inception).

Mr Bates said: “We have worked very closely with Banham for many years, almost since our own beginning, and we have always had a long and trusted relationship with them. Having built up Guardian over the last 40 years in Willenhall, we are very proud of everything that we have achieved and the benchmark we have set for British lock manufacturing.

“This partnership with Banham marks the start of a new phase in our company’s history and we look forward to the wealth of opportunities that lie ahead.”