A new dimension in access technology

Maximum flexibility with a mechanical locking system

Akura 44 is a new technical milestone for mechanical access systems. "In particular, it excellently meets the requirements for security, flexibility and investment security in modern residential construction," explains Alexander Scharinger, product manager Akura 44 at EVVA. EVVA's latest product scores excellently across a broad front, but especially in the area of security. For example, within a residential complex, the optional copy protection allows the security level to be adjusted as needed."

A heavy bunch of keys is now a thing of the past for the residents of a residential complex. Because at Akura 44 the rule is: one for all! With just one key, the front door, mailbox, garbage room, garage and, if desired, the cellar compartment can be operated in addition to your own home. On request, a combination with an electronic system from EVVA is also easily achievable. So that one knows who comes and goes where and when. Thanks to the combination key, both electronic and mechanical door components can be operated.

Three years of preparation

For more than 100 years, family-run company EVVA has been developing and manufacturing access systems of the highest quality and always with a well-thought-out concept. Akura 44 also meets this requirement. Development and planning were completed in just three years. This time was characterized by thousands of hours of tinkering, countless meetings, rigorous tests and checks, combined with the knowledge and skill of the EVVA team. The innovative reversing key system is produced in a new production line, which was built at EVVA's new building in Vienna.

Optimal production process

Production lines and processes were designed in detail and tailored precisely to Akura 44. EVVA CEO Stefan Ehrlich-Adám: "This optimization has made it possible to produce more than 6,000 cylinders per month right from the start. But having the maximum capacity for this expansion, this is still far from being achieved. Such an initial production of only one product is so far unique for us. Thanks to the expansion of our premises, we now finally have the capacity to meet demand. The new system scores with fast, efficient and optimally profitable production. This also ensures the favorable price-performance ratio."

Safety first

The short cylinder, specially adapted to door situations common in residential buildings, also does not compromise security. This is ensured by the integrated drill-out protection and the use of all locking elements. The classic lever cylinder can be easily incorporated into the locking system of message boxes or letterboxes. ❯ Thus Akura 44 padlocks provide additional reliable security for basement boxes, for example. Of course, Akura 44 outside cylinders also make it extra difficult for burglars. And for electrically driven equipment, such as blinds or shutters on the first floor, a key switch can easily be installed.

Affordable

Rick Baayens, commercial manager of EVVA Netherlands, sees further advantages. "EVVA always develops products with a finger on the pulse of the market. These are not the easiest of times economically and in projects within housing, healthcare and education, budgets are often anything but generous. If you develop an easy-to-assemble locking system for that market that is modular and has fewer components for different lengths, and can also keep it affordable, you are doing it - in my opinion - well."

User utility

This was preceded by an intensive development process. Johann Notbauer, Head of Market Innovation and Technology: "At Akura 44, we deliberately broke new ground by involving our partners in development as early as possible. We invited them to test the new product. After all, the goal of a new product is not to fall in love with the technology, but the practical usefulness for the user. Only then can a solution become a success. This way of working customer-oriented is becoming increasingly important. For example, we also offer so-called click-dummies for electronic systems, which allow the customer to immediately see how the solution works. We thus save a lot of pointless effort by avoiding developments in the wrong direction."

It's a strategy worth its weight in gold, Scharinger adds: "Akura is our first product where the customer and partners were involved from the beginning. We didn't want redundant features that cost more and that no one in the market is interested in. At the various stages of consultation, Akura 44 could be fine-tuned to the market and errors could be fixed before we started production." 

"Thus, together we succeeded in arriving at a top product that combines good performance, functionality and an attractive price," Notbauer concludes. "We have broken the dogma that less cost leads to less quality."