EDITOR’S NOTE: RVBusiness is highlighting participating businesses set to display at this year’s Sept. 28-30 Hall of Fame RV Supplier Show, an event again taking place at the Northern Indiana Event Center, located on the campus of the RV/MH Hall of Fame in Elkhart, Ind., and held in conjunction with the annual Elkhart RV Open House.
STS Oberholz: Booth 105
Europe’s Market Leader in RV Locking Technology Sets Its Sights on the U.S.
Anyone who’s opened a caravan or motorhome in Europe has, in all likelihood, already had a product from STS Oberholz in their hands. For 30 years, the company from Velbert, Germany – the historic heart of the German lock industry – has developed and manufactured locking and latching systems for the caravanning sector.
Now Europe’s market leader is taking the next step: entering the North American market.
The new chapter comes with a refreshed brand identity and the slogan “Excellence in RV Locking Solutions.”
“That claim is meant to be taken literally,” said Maximilian W. Glatz, managing director of STS Oberholz. “We are one of the very few suppliers worldwide covering the entire spectrum – from simple, rugged compartment latches all the way to high-security locks with electrical integration into the vehicle’s central locking system. That is exactly the depth we now want to offer OEMs in the United States.”
The portfolio comprises compression latches, cam and paddle-style locks for storage and garage doors, latch locks for entrance doors, and an extensive accessories program – including locking caps for fresh-water and fuel filler necks. A particular strength is the company’s proprietary cylinder and key system: the plug-in cylinders can be configured in a wide range of keying options and implemented into existing U.S. lock solutions.
“One vehicle, one key – a genuine gain in convenience for the end customer and a real point of differentiation for the manufacturer,” Glatz noted.
The team in Velbert is especially proud of its latest in-house development: a smart connection between the locking system and the RV itself. Via Bluetooth, locks can be operated from a smartphone, monitored, and integrated into the vehicle’s on-board electronics.
“Digitalization doesn’t stop at the entrance door,” Glatz explained. “Our smart solution combines the mechanical reliability we have stood for over three decades with the convenience and security today’s campers expect – from keyless entry to centrally locking every compartment at the push of a button.”
The products are already winning over customers on the other side of the Atlantic: the first U.S. customers have adopted STS Oberholz components into series production, with further projects currently in validation.
“The feedback confirms our approach,” said Glatz. “American OEMs are looking for dependable partners who deliver consistent quality at volume, contribute engineering expertise, and stay flexible on customer-specific solutions. That is precisely where our strength lies.”
Customer-specific development is everyday practice: the company works hand in hand with manufacturers’ engineering departments – from adapting existing locks to individual installation situations through to complete new developments. STS Oberholz is part of the Glatz Gruppe, a family-owned group with holdings across several industrial sectors – including locking technology for buses and rail vehicles. The result: decades of cross-industry locking know-how, paired with the short decision-making paths of a family business.
Glatz sees substantial potential in the U.S., saying that, “The American RV market is the largest in the world, and we see plenty of room for innovation in locking technology – in security, ease of use, and integration with the vehicle’s electronics. We are not coming to copy what exists, but to deliver real added value with European engineering.”
A comprehensive overview of the full product range – locking systems, cylinders and keys, and accessories – is available at www.sts-oberholz.de. Interested OEMs and dealers can get in touch directly or meet the team at the industry’s major trade shows and in the showroom in Velbert.
With 30 years of experience, a complete product program, and smart innovations on board, STS Oberholz has set out to deliver on its promise in North America, too: Excellence in RV Locking Solutions.
Visit STS Oberholz at the Hall of Fame RV Supplier Show (Booth #105) during the Elkhart RV Open House, and at the RV Component Expo, Oct. 14-16, in Shipshewana, Ind.
