FPL History

1950’s

  • Paul LoCicero is sent from Italy to California by Fiat to work as one of their first automotive technician in the United States

1970’s

  • Paul’s son Jack starts California Classics, a millwork company in Southern California
  • Jack shares his father’s knack for innovation and designs the first all wood French Sliding Patio Door in the industry
  • Since there was no lock specifically designed for such a door, Paul decides to apply his mechanical skills to engineering & inventing one himself!

1980’s

  • Paul invents the 558 Sliding Door Lock Mechanism, designed especially for Wood French Sliding Patio Doors, and travels to Italy to set up mass production of the lock set
  • Paul founds FPL Door Locks & Hardware in Agoura, CA with the Sliding Door Lock Set and several Trim Style options in Polished Brass Finish
  • As FPL’s customer base expands, Custom hardware, including additional Trim Styles and Custom Sized European Profile Cylinders becomes a regular offering
  • Entry Swing Door Hardware is added to FPL’s product line, with high end Single Point Mortise Mechanisms and Trim
  • FPL has expanded beyond the capabilities of their Agoura, CA location, and moves to larger facilities in Westlake Village, CA

1990’s

  • Paul’s son in law, Tim Goetze, begins working at FPL in various roles, including Engineering, Research & Development
  • FPL further expands it’s line of Swing Door Hardware by introducing the first Stainless Steel Multipoint Mechanism available in the Unites States
  • Expansion requires a move to larger facilities in Moorpark, CA, with multiple on site expansions required to meet further demand
  • Paul’s daughter, Enza, begins working at FPL, taking over Office Management and day to day operations
  • FPL begins expanding it’s Swing and Sliding Door Hardware lines by offering such items as Hinges and Sliding Door Footbolts

2000’s

  • FPL works to develop new relationships with factories around the world, meeting the quality and quantity demand their growing customer base requires
  • In addition to regional custom door shops, FPL begins selling to large national Door & Window Manufacturing companies, with further growth necessitating a move to even larger facilities in Oxnard, CA
  • Customer demand facilitates FPL designing and offering Multipoint Window Casement Hardware and Trim
  • Paul LoCicero retires, appointing Tim Goetze as President and Enza Goetze as Vice President
  • Research and Development begins on new Lift & Slide Hardware to meet the common issues our customers face
  • FPL’s Custom Hardware division expands with CNC machinery
  • Current growth of the company requires FPL to be moved once again to a larger facility in Kentucky.  The property acquired is large enough to encompass future growth the company expects

2010’s

  • FPL rolls out the long awaited Lift & Slide hardware system, featuring the Monarch Folding Handle that replaces the industry standard of removable handles that can get misplaced, rollers with an AAMA certification of 1,600 lbs per door panel for large openings, and a mechanism with an adjustable backset that can be used for on doors or windows in order to reduce high volume inventory for door manufacturers.
  • FPL’s Pending Patent of the Monarch Folding Lift & Slide Handle is approved, solidifying it as the next big innovation in the Lift & Slide industry
  • FPL’s Product Catalog expands to 310 pages.  Many new products continue to be offered