1.1 Definition and scope of the study

A padlock is a tool that can be used to lock a door, a safe or a suitcase, but also to lock a chain. A padlock consists of a lock mechanism and a mechanical ring monitored by a key or a system of number wheels.

There are many different models of padlocks that segment the market, from the locking system to the degree of security to the different sizes and materials to suit each purpose.

China is the largest exporter of padlocks in the world. In 2021, China exported nearly ten times as much as the second largest exporter, Taiwan. Germany has a fairly important role in the trade of padlocks, producing nearly 22% of the value of the European total in 2021.

However, the padlock market is affected by technological developments, as padlocks networked with digital devices are emerging. These padlocks can be unlocked directly from a smartphone (remotely or locally) and work via Bluetooth or fingerprint. However, their use is still secondary and the focus is on mechanical padlocks. The innovations in this market show that it remains interesting despite not following the desired trend.

There are some trends that set the course for future growth, such as the trend towards bicycles, which are being bought more and more often, but unfortunately are also frequently stolen. This is where the padlock comes into play, because it is the ideal tool to give users a sense of security, especially since the development of more valuable and expansive e-bikes (electric bikes).

1.2 The European market

With regard to the European market, we rely on Eurostat data using the following code:

******** "Base metal padlocks"

In the last ten years, a rather stable value can be observed, with a peak in ****, which reached ***.* million euros. In ****, the value of German production was worth **.*** million euros, an increase ...

1.3 The national market

We rely on Eurostat data using the following code :

******** "Base metal padlocks"

As we can see in the graph below, the production value of padlocks made of metals slightly decreased between **** and ****, losing almost * million euros of its value. However, in **** and **** there was a strong increase, reaching a value ...

1.4 International trade

To monitor international trade in padlocks in Germany, we use data from UN Comtrade using the following HS code:

**** "Padlocks and locks (***), of base metal; latches and frames containing latches, of base metal; keys for any of the foregoing, of base metal."

Thus, this code goes somewhat beyond the single ...

2.1 Padlocks used when traveling

Another area that padlocks are strongly associated with is travel. This first chart shows us the number of German travelers who have gone on trips in recent years. We can see that the number of travelers has been stable between **** and ****, before the health crisis strongly impacted the market in **** and ...

2.2 Padlocks for bicycles

Bicycles are among the most important objects in our everyday lives that are secured with locks. Therefore, it makes sense to look at the number of bicycles used in Germany. The following graph shows that there is a real bicycle culture in Germany, because there is almost one bicycle for every ...

2.3 Love symbolism

Love Locks are padlocks that lovers place in symbolic places around the world (***), especially on bridges. The principle is based on the symbolism of the padlock, which represents love in a couple, and by throwing the bridge key, the padlock is thus sealed forever.

In Germany, the most famous place for ...

3.1 Value chain

There are mainly two types of padlocks, those with combination (***), although we will see in part * that with new technologies there are more ways to open padlocks. The type of padlock chosen depends on its future use, this part will be explained in more detail in *.*.

How it works

Behind the ...

3.2 Related articles

Keys for padlocks

Keys for padlocks are as important as padlocks themselves. Whether they are purchased with the padlock or after the original key has been lost, they represent a separate industry in the market. Although the following code ******** refers not only to keys for padlocks, but to "keys, individually presented, ...

4.1 Typology of the offer

We have seen that the size, material or even the type of closure of a padlock can vary. Here are the different types of padlocks depending on what they are used for:

Key or code lock

Padlocks with a code are often used when an entrance needs to be shared with ...

4.2 Prices for metals and padlocks

The metal priceFrance, ****-****, €/ton, price at the opening of the stock exchange

Source: ****

*Daily price

Prices for the above metals have increased since ****, especially for steel, whose price has almost doubled in three years. Accordingly, the selling prices have also developed.

The selling prices

Source: ****

Padlock prices vary widely ...

5.1 European regulations

The security level of a padlock

The European standard EN-***** can be used to measure the technical performance of a padlock. The padlock is subjected to ** resistance tests, so the intensity ranges from * to *.

Most padlocks from hardware stores are not classified (***). This can be explained by the following circumstance: Having ...