LIPS and Chubbsafes – History and Legacy in Belgium

LIPS Safes is originally a Dutch brand, founded in 1871 and soon active in Belgium. After the takeovers by Chubb and later Gunnebo, LIPS ceased to exist as a safe manufacturer. Today, the products are sold worldwide under the name Chubbsafes, but in the Netherlands and Belgium thousands of original LIPS safes are still in use — a lasting testament to the durability and reputation of the brand.

LIPS and Chubbsafes

A Dutch brand with a Belgian story

Since 1871, Lips has stood for security, craftsmanship and reliability. What began as a small forge in Dordrecht grew into one of Europe’s leading manufacturers of safes and locks. The company expanded into Belgium at an early stage, a strategic move that made Brussels and Liège important anchors in its international growth. Today, the name Lips Brandkasten endures as a trusted brand in the Benelux for products that are sold worldwide under the name Chubbsafes.

LIPS and Chubbsafes

The arrival of LIPS in Belgium

In 1910, Lips established a Belgian company and opened a sales office at Boulevard du Nord 104–106 in Brussels (today Adolphe Maxlaan). This gave the brand a permanent presence on the Belgian market. The move was part of a broader internationalisation strategy, during which Lips also acquired the Italian manufacturer Vago. With its central location and strong industrial base, Belgium was a logical first step in the company’s European expansion.

Belgische productie en aanwezigheid

Belgian production and presence

In addition to its office in Brussels, Lips operated production facilities in Laeken from the 1920s and later in Boortmeerbeek. In this way, the brand strengthened its position in Belgium throughout the 20th century, not only through sales but also through local assembly. This allowed Lips Belgium to remain a trusted partner for banks, businesses, and institutions that relied on Lips safes to protect their valuables.

Mergers and acquisitions: Lips, Chubb and Fraigneux

The year 1971 marked a turning point: the British security giant Chubb acquired Lips and grouped its European activities under the name Chubb-Lips. The Belgian manufacturer Fraigneux, based in Liège and specialized in bank safes and vaults, had already been part of Chubb since the 1950s–60s and operated locally under the name Chubb-Fraigneux. During the 1970s, these Belgian activities were further consolidated with the creation of LIPS-FRAIGNEUX S.A., headquartered on Avenue Louise in Brussels. Separate brand identities disappeared: Fraigneux vanished entirely, while the name Lips continued to be used in Belgium alongside the Chubb brand.

From multinational to brand strategy

After a series of international ownership changes – Racal (1984), Williams Holdings (1997) – the security division was split up in 2000:

The lock division was sold to the Swedish group ASSA ABLOY.
The safe and vault division was acquired by the Swedish group Gunnebo.

Since then, Lips has been part of Gunnebo’s portfolio, which operates globally under the Chubbsafes brand.

Lips today: heritage and Chubbsafes

Today, Lips Brandkasten no longer exists as a manufacturer. All new safes are produced and sold worldwide under the Chubbsafes brand, part of the Gunnebo Group. However, in Belgium and the Netherlands, thousands of original Lips safes are still in use — a tangible proof of the quality and durability for which the brand has been known since 1871. In this way, the name Lips endures as historical heritage within the wider Chubbsafes family.

View the current range of Chubbsafes

Name	Expiration	Description
_ga	-	-
_ga_1DKB16P9M9	-	-