By HFT Staff

A full-service, 171-bed regional medical center noted for its extensive inpatient and outpatient services, the Niagara Falls Memorial Medical Center renovated its wellness center. One of the center’s finishing touches was the installation of approximately 50 SARGENT 11 Line locks. 

The decision to go with 11 Line is based on a long relationship with SARGENT products. Steve Kowalski, who has been the medical center’s Head Locksmith for 35 years, said he has always admired SARGENT’s hardware.  

“We have a lot of older SARGENT equipment throughout the facility, and it’s lasted and been a pleasure to work with,” Kowalski says. 

Kowalski said he became aware of 11 Line at an opportune moment. “I was looking for something new due to the renovation when an ASSA ABLOY sales representative brought an 11 Line in for me to see and test out for myself,” he says. “I liked it from the start. It had a real sturdy feel to it, which immediately set it apart from similar lever locks from other brands I’d dealt with.” 

Kowalski reports that there have been no issues with the new locks, which were installed in the wellness center previously. “Being able to say that a lock has performed exactly as it’s supposed to is a great compliment, and this product does exactly that,” he says. 

Built with SARGENT’s patented “T-Zone” construction, the 11 Line lock provides strength and durability in the harshest conditions. The 11 Line is ideally suited for high traffic doors, areas subject to severe abuse, public buildings and retrofit applications. True interlocking between the stainless steel lockbody and latch provides durability for the most demanding applications.  

He said he believes the 11 Line was built with the unique needs of a locksmith in mind. “When you’re a locksmith you’re looking for something as well built as the 11 Line,” he said. “The consistency makes it easy for me to continue working with SARGENT products. And there certainly are benefits to working with one brand when it comes to maintenance, so that makes me even happier to see another great product from SARGENT.”