In the UK, the Security Technologies sector of Ingersoll Rand dates back even further to the 1700s. 

1750
William Newman & Sons was formed.  Based in Wolverhampton, the company manufactured locks, hinges, steel buckles, steel toys and primitive door springs. In the 1820s they relocated to Birmingham.

1970
William Newman & Sons merged with William Tonks & Sons (established in Leeds in 1789) to become Newman Tonks.  Manufacturing specialised brass fittings for the home, Newman Tonks became one of the principal industries in Birmingham in the 19^th Century. 

1974
Laidlaw & Thompson architectural ironmongers were formed.  In 1998 they set up a security division in Gateshead, which later become known as Thomas Laidlaw Security.  (In 1993 Newman Tonks acquired Thomas Laidlaw and the security division became know as NT Locking).

1988
In July 1988 Newman Tonks acquired J Legge, a Willenhall company established in 1881 with a long history of manufacturing quality locks and door handles.  Now part of the locks and security division, Newman Tonks changed its name to NT Locks.

1997
The Newman Tonks organisation was taken over by Ingersoll Rand and, on 5^th May 1998, NT Legge, which was part of the Newman Tonks Group, became known as Ingersoll-Rand Architectural Hardware.  The acquisition enabled NT Locking to continue the long history of the Briton and Legge brands and bringing with them a number of other security and safety brands.