Lockmasters, a portfolio company of Dominus Capital, has acquired Astic Signals Defenses.
Lockmasters is a manufacturer and distributor of combination locks, tools, hardware, and educational services to government and security professionals, including automotive locksmiths, general locksmiths, and safe and safety deposit box locksmiths. According to the company, it is the leading supplier of combination and safe deposit locks in the United States.
Lockmasters’ educational seminars are branded under the Lockmasters Security Institute and provide training and certification services with courses such as Professional Locksmithing, GSA Authorized Safe & Vault Technician & Inspector Certification, Safe Deposit Box Lock Servicing, and Electronic Safe Lock Servicing.
Lockmasters was founded in 1955 by the Miller family and is headquartered just south of Lexington in Nicholasville, Kentucky (a commercial hub of the lock industry), with additional locations in Maryland, Michigan, Texas, North Carolina, Connecticut, and Nevada.
Astic Signals Defenses (DBA Signals Defense) provides radio frequency (RF) and infrared (IR) shielding products, including proprietary window films and shielding materials for Sensitive Compartmented Information Facilities (SCIFs) and other secure government and commercial sites.
Signals Defense’s products are designed to meet TEMPEST, ICD-705, and Department of Defense emanation protection standards, which help prevent wireless eavesdropping and data interception. The company, led by President Eric Kuczynski, is headquartered near Baltimore in Owings Mills, Maryland.
“The combination with Lockmasters positions us to serve the security market like never before,” said Mr. Kuczynski. “Our expertise and customer base coupled with Lockmasters’ extensive commercial and government reach presents a powerful cross-sell opportunity for our proprietary shielding technology and Lockmasters’ high security products. I am incredibly optimistic about the growth opportunities ahead for the combined company.”
Dominus acquired Lockmasters in partnership with the founding Miller family in September 2020 and, with the buy of Signals Defense, has now closed five add-on acquisitions. The four earlier acquisitions were Kentucky-based TimeMaster (March 2022); Ohio-based Allied Locksmith Supply (June 2023); Michigan-based JLM Wholesale, with additional locations in Texas and North Carolina (January 2024); and Connecticut-based Orchard Lock Distributors (January 2025).“We are thrilled to welcome the Signals Defense team to Lockmasters,” said Joe McCormack, the CEO of Lockmasters. “Together, we will offer an unmatched portfolio of high-security solutions for government and commercial customers. This acquisition reinforces our commitment to innovation and providing best-in-class security solutions to meet evolving threats, including an increased need for data protection.”
Dominus Capital makes control equity investments in North American-based middle market companies that have EBITDA of more than $10 million. Sectors of interest include business services and industrial across a range of subsectors.
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