TL;DR
Assa Abloy has laid off the majority of staff at Level, the smart lock maker, and is integrating its assets into Kwikset. The founders have left, raising questions about future support and product continuity.
Assa Abloy has laid off most of the staff at Level Home, the smart lock company known for integrating smart features into traditional-looking deadbolts, and is transferring its assets to Kwikset, another company owned by Assa Abloy. The company’s founders, CEO John Martin and CTO Ken Goto, have also left the business, raising questions about Level’s future operations and product support.
According to sources familiar with the matter, Assa Abloy conducted a major restructuring of Level Home in 2024, resulting in the immediate dismissal of most employees, including the company’s founders. An audio recording obtained by The Verge reveals that Peter Boriskin, CTO for Assa Abloy North America, and Kimberly Cummins, head of North American HR, informed staff of the layoffs during a meeting. The layoffs are part of a broader strategy to consolidate Level’s assets into Kwikset, another Assa Abloy-owned smart lock brand.
Assa Abloy confirmed to The Verge that Level continues to operate as a business within its corporate structure and that it remains committed to developing and selling Level Lock products. However, the company acknowledged the recent restructuring and emphasized that customer support would continue as usual. The company’s latest financial reports indicate declining sales in North America’s residential smart lock segment, which may have contributed to the decision.
Most of Level’s engineering team has left, with only a few core employees retained to complete an upcoming product launch for multi-family lock management. The departure of the founders, including CEO John Martin and CTO Ken Goto, leaves questions about how Level will operate moving forward. There are concerns that cloud services supporting Level Locks could be discontinued or altered, potentially affecting features like app control, auto-unlock, and door status sensing. Locks integrated with Matter or Apple HomeKit are likely to retain basic functionality, as these operate locally rather than through Level’s cloud services.
Implications for Level Lock Users and Market Stability
This restructuring signals a significant shift for Level Lock’s future and raises concerns about ongoing support and product updates for existing users. With the departure of the founders and most staff, there is uncertainty about whether the company will maintain its previous level of service or innovation. For consumers, this could mean potential disruptions in features reliant on cloud services and questions about long-term product viability. The move also reflects broader challenges within the smart lock industry, where companies face stiff competition and shifting corporate strategies.
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Background of Level’s Acquisition and Market Position
Level Home was acquired by Assa Abloy in 2024, as part of the company’s effort to strengthen its position in the smart lock market. Prior to the acquisition, Level was known for its design-focused smart locks that blend traditional aesthetics with modern technology. Despite initial growth, the company faced declining sales, as indicated by recent financial reports, which may have prompted the restructuring. The integration of Level into Kwikset is part of Assa Abloy’s broader strategy to streamline its portfolio and focus on core brands amid market pressures.
“The layoffs and departure of the founders suggest a major shift in how Assa Abloy is positioning Level within its portfolio.”
— an anonymous researcher
keyless door lock with Apple HomeKit
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Unresolved Questions About Future Support and Product Continuity
It is not yet clear whether Assa Abloy will maintain, update, or phase out Level’s cloud-dependent features. The future of existing users’ access to app-controlled features and updates remains uncertain, as does the long-term strategy for the Level brand within the company’s portfolio.
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Next Steps for Customers and Industry Watchers
Consumers using Level Locks should monitor official communications from Assa Abloy and Kwikset for updates regarding support and product updates. Industry analysts will likely follow whether Assa Abloy continues to invest in Level technology or gradually phases out the brand. Additional product launches or support changes could emerge in the coming months, clarifying the company’s long-term plans.
smart lock with auto-unlock feature
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Key Questions
Will existing Level Lock features continue to work?
Most basic lock functions, such as manual unlocking and physical keys, will continue to work. Cloud-dependent features like app control and auto-unlock may be affected if cloud services are discontinued.
Why did Assa Abloy restructure Level Home?
The company cited a broader restructuring strategy amid declining sales in the North American residential smart lock segment, aiming to streamline its portfolio and focus on core brands.
Are the founders still involved in the company?
No, the company’s founders, including CEO John Martin and CTO Ken Goto, have left as part of the recent layoffs and restructuring.
What does this mean for the future of Level products?
The future remains uncertain; while the company states it will continue to develop and sell Level Lock products, the departure of key personnel raises questions about ongoing support and innovation.
Source: The Verge
