07/10/2024
Thank you to the Locksmith Ledger for this award honoring our founder, Gene Anderson.
Our first locksmith recipient of the Legends of the Lock Industry awards is the late Eugene Anderson, the man behind Anderson Lock. Here is his story:
IN MEMORIUM: SEPT. 4, 1940 – MAY 30, 2023
Eugene R. Anderson, A.H.C., the founder of Anderson Lock Company, in Des Plaines, IL, transformed his one-man locksmith shop into Chicago's premier commercial door and locksmith services company.
Gene’s interest in keys and locks began in his youth, in his parents’ Ace Hardware store. As a teenager, Gene got a job with Central Key & Lock in downtown Chicago. He learned on the job about cabinet locks, large master key systems, and specialty mortise locks that he’d never encountered in the family hardware store. He next worked for Johnson’s Lock Shop in Evanston.
In 1960, at age 20, Gene founded Anderson Lock. The visionary entrepreneur built his business by becoming a distributor for leading lock manufacturers, establishing loyal relationships with customers, and by believing in and empowering his lock techs and office staff. During the first two decades, Gene focused on the rekey/ replace/ retrofit market for commercial, industrial and institutional security hardware. He invested in service trucks, uniforms, industry training, and yellow page advertising.
Gene joined Associated Locksmiths of America (ALOA) and Door and Hardware Institute (DHI). He earned his Architectural Hardware Certificate (A.H.C.) in 1982. An innovative, ever-optimistic business leader, he published the first of six door hardware catalogs in the 1980s. Each custom catalog served as a source for hardware and a resource for technical information.
Gene, an early adopter of technology, launched his company website in 1998. Devastating Des Plaines River floods in 1986 and again in 1987 threatened the company’s existence, and it would not have survived without the heroic efforts and teamwork of its employees.
In 1990, the Americans with Disabilities Act Guidelines went into effect. Anderson Lock responded to customers’ queries with a unique ADA catalog. Increased demand for accessible hardware led to more growth, and a new location, away from the river. As the company grew, it gained considerable recognition from vendors and industry leaders.
The April 1997 issue of Locksmith Ledger, in an article authored by Gale Johnson, highlighted the company’s new 15,000 square foot sales and service facility. ALOA’s Keynotes magazine (April 2000) complimented Gene’s company for beating a 45 day deadline to install 400 electric strikes.
Today, the thriving lock and commercial door sales and service company has two locations, 30 red service vehicles, and over 100 employees. Gene’s daughter, Cortney Wascher, assumed leadership of Anderson Lock in 2007, yet in his retirement, Gene led extensive renovations to transform an immense manufacturing facility in Elk Grove, IL, into the third home for Anderson Lock’s rapidly expanding Door Division.
Gene, diagnosed with Lou Gehrig's disease (ALS) in 2019, welcomed walkers via video messages to ALS Walks held in his honor. Not only have three ALS Walks raised over $100,000 for research, they also showcase how many people he inspired. Gene lost his life in 2023. Teresa, his wife of 53 years, daughters Cortney (Devin) and Britt (Brian), and three grandchildren survive him.
Anderson Lock
