Acme Lock
& Door

Founding Story

“I didn’t start Acme, but I’ve had the privilege of being part of its story. The company was founded in 1933 and stayed in the same family for four generations. In December 2020, I acquired the business with a group of partners. Back then, it was smaller, but what stood out immediately was the team’s rare ability to tackle complex access challenges—and their absolute obsession with taking care of customers.

In those early days, we made things happen and kept customers happy through sheer force of will. We didn’t always have the systems in place, but we had heart, and we delivered. As time went on, we built out the infrastructure and scaled quickly, welcoming two amazing Cincinnati companies—Larry’s Lock in 2022 and Fortress Safe & Lock in 2024—into the fold.

It’s been an incredible journey. I’m proud of what we accomplished in such a short time, and I truly believe we’ve found the right partner to carry the torch into the next chapter.”

Why Cobalt

“Choosing whether to bring on a partner was one of the toughest decisions I’ve had to make. We had built real momentum, but I knew continuing on that trajectory would require more resources and infrastructure than we could provide on our own. There were other potential partners who could’ve filled that gap—but Cobalt stood out. They’re sharp, driven, and have a clear vision for growth. But what really mattered to me was that they shared our core belief: if you take care of your people and your customers, the rest takes care of itself. That gave me confidence that Acme’s culture, our team, and our legacy would be in good hands—and positioned to thrive.”

— Tom O'Brian, President (2020-2025)