The GRANIT Super Extreme 2500 is the answer to the large equipment used by criminals to break open locks. Based on this trend, ABUS set its designers a challenging task: to develop the world's most secure U-lock "Made in Germany".

The hardest metal in the world for a new level of security
How did they actually succeed? Years of intensive material research and the ambition to develop something new and extremely secure finally led ABUS to the ideal material. Tungsten carbide is one of the hardest materials in the world. Excavator shovels used in quarries, for example, are coated with tungsten carbide. A 2-3 millimetre thick layer of this material ensures that the GRANIT Super Extreme 2500 is unrivalled in its resistance.

"Made in Germany" through and through
To be awarded the "Made in Germany" label, only a large part of the value chain has to take place in Germany. Lena Lomotowski, on the other hand, emphasises: "We go one step further, because almost 100 % of the entire value chain takes place in Germany. In addition to the product, the tools required to manufacture the lock are also built at our production site in the Westerwald."

Quality that impresses internationally

The exceptional functionality and innovative power of this U-lock already impressed a jury of experts at EUROBIKE 2023. The jury voted the GRANIT Super Extreme 2500 the "Eurobike Award Winner 2023". The design, which is based on a solid tectonic plate structure, also underlines the well thought-out concept and the ultra-protective function, which has already been confirmed multiple times by international testing institutes. Nothing is left to chance here. That is also "Made in Germany".

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The secrets of SmartX
SmartX is a protocol that secures the Bluetooth^® connection between smartphones and smart products such as disc brake locks for motorbikes or also bike locks. We use the common secure cryptography methods.

SmartX is a protocol that secures the Bluetooth^® connection between smartphones and smart products such as disc brake locks for motorbikes or also bike locks. We use the common secure cryptography methods. "The secret of SmartX, however, is that each individual product has a unique code, a kind of DNA of its own: the so-called secret," explains Carsten Pietruck, Head of Digital Solutions and Services at the Wetter site. This secret is synchronised during the first connection between the app and the product. To ensure that SmartX remains secure, the technology is constantly being further developed and proactively subjected to independent pen tests and white-hacking tests.

Carsten Pietruck explains why ABUS relies on Bluetooth^®: "Because Bluetooth^® was and remains the only connection standard for communication between mobile phones and other devices that works without restriction on all smartphones and therefore for everyone."

Another advantage: our smart ABUS One products such as the WINTECTO One for locking and unlocking patio doors – another product "Made in Germany" – also work offline thanks to SmartX and additionally online with Wi-Fi bridge.

SmartX opens the door to further innovations and can even be integrated into smart products from other manufacturers. In this way, ABUS technology from the Westerwald can make the convenient experience of smart products a secure one in the future too.

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The BORDO 6000 is almost 95 % "Made in Germany” in terms of the individual components. Starting with the bar for the BORDO 6000 and a number of plastic and die-cast parts through to the rivet – these individual parts come directly from Germany. The associated processes – including processing into metal bars at our site in the Westerwald, hardening, electroplating and plastic coating – are also carried out in German production facilities.

Although it sounds simple, offering a product like the BORDO 6000 "Made in Germany" and in top quality, is often a challenge in practice. When working with suppliers, the Purchasing department at ABUS has a clear philosophy in order to be able to fulfil the high quality standards.

"Sourcing in Germany is a top priority for ABUS Purchasing. The reasons for this are simple. We see our supplier relationships as partnerships. We have found that proximity and regionality often pay off through the same understanding of good delivery performance and sustainability," explains Benjamin Leßmann, who has been working in the purchasing department at ABUS for over 20 years.

Reliable and sustainable supply chains
ABUS has numerous suppliers who have been supplying the company for well over 50 years. Values such as honesty, openness and transparency are important to ABUS and are also valued by our partners.

Short transport routes, shorter delivery times and adherence to compliance rules are further positive effects of "Made in Germany". These will continue to gain in importance in the future and give the seal an additional positive boost.

"Made in Germany" as a competitive factor
The quality of this classic ABUS folding lock has been confirmed by numerous international test institutes, e. g. from Great Britain and Denmark.

"The challenge is to remain competitive through skilful supplier selection and qualification, despite the ever-increasing complexity due to compliance regulations and rising costs, and to continue to convince customers of our 'Made in Germany' products through a top price-performance ratio," summarises Benjamin Leßmann.

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Modern production and environmentally friendly material
When developing new components, one of our goals is to reduce the environmental impact of potentially harmful substances such as lead. ABUS relies on modern production technology and lead-free materials for Magtec.

"This saves around 45 % CO₂ in the production of Magtec cylinders compared to conventional manufacturing processes for profile cylinders. ABUS offsets the remaining unavoidable CO₂ emissions by investing in nature conservation projects," explains Franziska Boron, contact person for sustainability at the site.

Climate neutrality: a challenge with responsibility
Manufacturing a climate-neutral product like Magtec requires not only financial investment, but also intensive collaboration with suppliers and internal development departments. This is time-consuming, but for us it is an investment in a sustainable future. The demand for sustainable profile cylinders is increasing – especially among public sector clients.

At the same time, ABUS is responding to other market requirements, such as the increasing emphasis on modularity. There are also higher demands in the area of key copying protection. This is why the Magtec has an innovative magnetic security element on the key and in the cylinder, which prevents it from being copied without an original ABUS blank.

Transparent certification for customers
Customers can easily recognise the sustainability of a product by looking for independent certifications: the Magtec is labelled "climate neutral" by Climate Partner.

"ABUS consistently implements sustainability in all phases of the product life cycle. Resource-conserving practices are applied from development and purchasing through to production and marketing. Sustainability is not only reflected in the product itself, but also in environmentally friendly marketing materials," emphasises Franziska Boron.

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The DNA of the GRANIT™ padlock
Over the course of a century, the manufacturing technologies behind our padlocks have constantly evolved – from sheet metal and casting technologies to rolled profiles and state-of-the-art CNC technology.

But the DNA of August Bremicker's vision has remained intact over the decades: GRANIT padlocks still stand for outstanding robustness up to the present day. With high-quality tempered special steel, a hardened surface layer and the special Plus cylinder, they are genuine high-security locks for protecting valuable goods. The balanced material composition and the multi-layered production process ensure toughness at the core and hardness on the surface – decisive factors for defying thieves, time and weather. 

In addition to durability and robustness, GRANIT padlocks stand for a proven level of quality "Made in Germany": With the introduction of the product series in the 1980s, an in-house test laboratory was set up at the Rehe site in order to take the strict requirements of international testing institutes and insurance companies into account during the production process. Today, GRANIT locks are regularly tested according to the strict standards of DIN EN12320 and SSF 014. The result is quality "Made in Germany" that is internationally recognised.

Made in Germany: quality from start to finish
The value chain of the GRANIT padlock emphasises our "Made in Germany" approach: starting with the raw materials from German suppliers through construction in our own factory in Rehe in the Westerwald to the final coating by regional service providers – the result is a product that rightly stands for ABUS "Made in Germany".

Johannes Danehl, Head of Department for Padlock Product Management: "Our GRANIT series still reflects the vision of our founder August Bremicker today."

More about the GRANIT lock series

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Knowledge makes the difference
Over the years, our Diskus team has accumulated a great deal of expertise.

"This engineering skill can be recognised, for example, by the high-quality weld seam that unites the two stainless steel halves of the Diskus for a long service life," explains Benjamin Knoche, Head of Production at our site in Hegestraße in Volmarstein (Wetter a. d. Ruhr).

A lot has changed in the locks in over 75 years and the technology has also continuously improved. But two aspects have always remained the same: the characteristic round shape, which means that the shackle offers hardly any attack surface, and the consistent quality of workmanship, which is immediately noticeable to everyone when handling the Diskus round shackle padlock.

"Our welding processes and results are unrivalled in the world. The quality that we achieve with the Diskus can be experienced by customers through the smooth closing of the shackle, for example – especially in comparison to competitor models," emphasises Benjamin Knoche.

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