TL;DR
Assa Abloy has laid off the majority of employees at Level, the smart lock company, and is transferring assets to Kwikset. The founders have exited, raising questions about the company’s future. Assa Abloy states it continues to operate and support existing products.
Assa Abloy has laid off most of the staff at Level Home, the smart lock company known for blending traditional lock aesthetics with smart technology, and its founders are leaving the company, according to sources familiar with the restructuring.
Sources confirmed that Assa Abloy, a Swedish multinational, recently eliminated the majority of Level’s employees in a restructuring move, transferring assets to its other smart lock brand, Kwikset. The layoffs were communicated via an internal meeting, and a former employee’s LinkedIn post corroborates the widespread staff reductions. The company’s CEO, John Martin, and CTO, Ken Goto, both founders of Level, are departing along with most of the engineering team. Only a small group of core employees are retained to complete an upcoming product launch for multi-family lock management.
Assa Abloy publicly confirmed the restructuring but stated that Level continues to operate as a business within the parent company, with no shutdown planned. The company emphasized that customer support and product development will continue, and that existing locks with Matter or Apple HomeKit integrations will still function for basic lock-unlock features. However, there are concerns about the future of Level’s cloud services, which could be discontinued, potentially affecting app-based features for existing users. The company’s recent financial report indicates declining sales in North America, which may have influenced the restructuring decisions.
Implications for Level’s Customer Base and Future Products
This development raises questions about the long-term viability of Level’s smart lock ecosystem, especially for users reliant on cloud features. The departure of the founders and most engineering staff suggests potential disruptions in ongoing support and product innovation. For consumers, it underscores the risks of dependence on cloud-based smart home devices amid corporate restructuring and asset transfers. The move also reflects broader challenges in the smart lock market, including declining sales and competitive pressures.
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Recent Trends in Smart Lock Industry and Assa Abloy’s Restructuring
Level Home was acquired by Assa Abloy in 2024 as part of its expansion into smart home security. Since then, the company has faced declining sales, prompting internal restructuring. The recent layoffs and asset transfer to Kwikset mark a significant shift, with the founders of Level exiting the company. Historically, Assa Abloy has consolidated its smart lock brands, but this move signals a more aggressive approach to streamlining operations amid market challenges.
“The layoffs were immediate and comprehensive, with most staff and the founders leaving the company. Only a handful of core employees are retained to complete a product launch.”
— an anonymous source familiar with the restructuring
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Unclear Future of Level’s Cloud Services and Support
It remains uncertain whether Assa Abloy will maintain Level’s cloud services long-term or phase them out, which could impact existing users’ app functionality and features. The complexity of transitioning locks to local-only operation presents technical and strategic challenges that have not yet been addressed.
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Next Steps for Users and Company Operations
Consumers should monitor official updates from Assa Abloy regarding support and service continuity. The company may eventually update locks to reduce reliance on cloud services, but no specific timeline has been announced. Meanwhile, the company’s focus appears to shift toward supporting its remaining product lines and completing upcoming product launches.
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Key Questions
Will my Level smart lock continue to work after the layoffs?
Yes, existing locks with Matter or Apple HomeKit support should still function for basic lock and unlock operations. However, some app-based features reliant on cloud services may be affected if those services are discontinued.
Why did Assa Abloy lay off most of Level’s staff?
According to sources, the layoffs are part of a broader restructuring effort by Assa Abloy to streamline operations and transfer assets to Kwikset, amid declining sales and market challenges.
Are the founders of Level still involved in the company?
No, both CEO John Martin and CTO Ken Goto, who founded Level, are departing from the company as part of the restructuring process.
What does this mean for existing Level users?
Users may experience limited support if cloud services are phased out, but basic lock functions will remain operational through local connections and integrations like HomeKit and Matter.
Source: The Verge
