Salto has been leading the way in innovative smart access solutions by redefining how people experience doors and access spaces globally. More importantly, Salto has been opening doors to opportunity, connection, and innovation. Behind every access point, project, and leap forward in technology, there have always been people.
Looking back to where it all began, it’s clear that Salto’s purpose has shifted very little in a quarter of a century. In 2000, our founding objective was bold yet precise: to bring smart access features to any door — without the cost and complexity of hardwired systems — through a universal, wire-free, and networked concept based entirely on an ID credential using RFID technology.
Simplicity isn't just how we design or build, it's how we think.
As we transitioned from the apartment to our first real office, we were able to secure room for testing labs, product assembly, storage, and for people. Moving into a larger office was more than a logistical step, it was a statement. We were no longer just starting out; we were becoming a real company with the capacity to take on big ideas.
The innovative spirit that defined our beginnings quickly turned into momentum. In the early years, the development of the Salto Virtual Network (SVN) technology became the cornerstone of our expansion, and a turning point for the entire industry. SVN, powered by our pioneering data-on-card technology, allowed offline locks to function as part of a networked system by leveraging smart user ID credentials. Permissions travelled with the user’s credentials.
In those years, each day brought new challenges, and new lessons.
We formally established Salto and opened a high-tech assembly plant and workspace in Oiartzun, Spain. These were years of new accents in the hallways, late-night calls across time zones, and the excitement of seeing our work reach places we’d only read about. Our local teams and partners became our strength, turning a growing brand into one that customers could trust wherever they were.
Global reach, local ears, always close support.
As our global presence grew, so did our technology. The introduction of Salto Wireless technology was a decisive step forward — an evolution from our SVN data-on-card model towards real-time, online capabilities.
During these same years, our sense of purpose expanded beyond technology. The launch of Free2Move.org reflected values we had carried since the beginning: using our resources and influence to make a positive impact. That commitment has grown into initiatives like the SALTO FOUNDATION today, which supports Para athletes and vulnerable communities through the power of sport, and efforts to address environmental responsibility, culminating in our carbon neutrality. We are creating a more sustainable, inclusive, and resilient future by leveraging our ESG strategies to drive innovation and long-term growth.
Innovation is what we build to lead the next generation. Responsibility is what we stand for to build a better planet.
Between 2010 and 2015, Salto reached its ten-year milestone and redefined what smart access could feel like for the people who use it every day. This period brought a new generation of products — the XS4 family (XS4 One, XS4 Mini, Neo Cylinder) alongside the Ælement — that combined advanced security with a clean, minimalist design. The goal was simple and demanding at that same time: make access technology more capable, cutting-edge design, and more invisible in daily life.
What began as a portfolio refresh has become a platform shift — from hardware that looks and feels right to a platform that moves with people and empowers organizations.
Moving to the cloud transformed access into a new revolution and opened new horizons.
Between 2015 and 2020, Salto went through a transformation measured not only in products, but in people, cultures, and capabilities that became an important part of our story. Acquiring Clay and Danalock between 2017 and 2019 marked the start of a new kind of growth — not just building from the ground up, but building out by integrating with the people and expertise of the companies we had acquired, who brought their own paths and unique contributions to our future.
We didn't just acquire companies. We welcomed new skills, ideas, and possibilities.
The years between 2020 and 2024 marked one of the most intense and fast-paced periods in Salto’s history. Just as the world was slowing down due to the COVID pandemic, we were speeding up.
The 2020-24 Salto period began with the strategic acquisition of Gantner, a move that instantly redefined Salto’s global footprint. With one of the most advanced product portfolios in the market together, our ability to deliver scale and impact reached unprecedented levels: more than one million new access points per year, across industries, continents, and customer types.
This chapter proved that growth is not just about growing, it's about shared purpose, people, and a future full of opportunities beyond what we can imagine today.
In 2024, Salto and group companies took another major step forward with the creation of the SALTO WECOSYSTEM, a unified identity platform for a group of companies with complementary strengths, shared values, and a joint purpose: to redefine the smart access industry once again.
A new brand DNA for the future of smart access.
As we celebrate our silver anniversary, the Salto story continues. What began as a bold idea in humble surroundings has grown into a global platform that shapes the way people move, live, and connect. Still firmly grounded in our founding purpose, Salto will continue to break the mold — striving to be at the forefront of smart access control for the next quarter-century and beyond.
As we look back on 25 years of breakthroughs, partnerships, and transformations, one thing becomes clear: This is just the beginning.
A culture of forward thinking
At Salto, innovation has always been about asking questions, challenging assumptions, and never standing still. The next 25 years will be no different.
Progress isn’t a product. It’s a mindset.
Technology in motion
Cloud and connectivity, biometric and face recognition, mobile credentials, AI-powered access, smart locks… will all become part of everyday life. And we’ll keep making sure it works simply, beautifully, and securely.
The more invisible the tech, the more powerful the design.
The future is made by our people
This future doesn’t belong to any single team or product. It belongs to everyone who contributes their talent, passion, and work. Together, we shape what’s next.
The best thing about the future is that we get to build it.
Driving change and supporting change-makers
Since our inception, SALTO WECOSYSTEM and our affiliated companies have actively engaged in social and environmental activities by driving ESG awareness among shareholders and employees. 25 years ago, we created the social initiative Free2Move.org, a platform unifying all our social and sports support activities.
However, we always want to take a step further. As our company continues to grow, so does our commitment to society, reflecting a shared vision of our role in the global landscape. To make an even greater impact, we decided to establish a corporate entity, inspiring the creation of SALTO FOUNDATION.