For four decades, CDVI has been designing and manufacturing advanced access control and locking solutions across Europe. From humble beginnings to becoming a global player, the group has stayed true to its values: innovation, quality, and a strong sense of human and environmental responsibility. As CDVI celebrates its 40th anniversary, it's time to look back on a story of bold entrepreneurship and a vision that continues to shape the future of access control technology.
A Family-Driven Entrepreneurial Story
It all started in 1985 in a small workshop in the suburb of Paris. David Benhammou, a 21-year-old electrical engineer, designed and built his own keypad access system to improve the safety of residential buildings. That creation, later known as the Digicode®, quickly became a standard across France. The term is now part of everyday vocabulary, and in 2025, La Poste, the French public shipping company, featured it on a national stamp celebrating French inventions placing it alongside the cinema and the calculator. It’s a symbol of how deeply this innovation has entered public life.
In the late 1990s, David’s younger brother Yoram joined the company to lead the development of the plastic manufacturing division. With vision and pragmatism, Yoram steadily rose to the top and became CEO in 2016. Today, the two brothers’ entrepreneurial legacy continues through a tightly-knit team of over 300 employees across Europe and beyond. Remarkably, CDVI’s first employee, hired in 1985, is still part of the company today—a testament to the group’s human values.
Committed to Physical Protection in a Changing World
Safety has always been CDVI’s top priority. In an era of increasing risk and complexity, securing buildings, people, and infrastructure has never been more critical. CDVI delivers robust and tailored access control solutions for all types of environments: healthcare facilities, public buildings, educational institutions, airports, industrial sites, and residential blocks.
In 2025, CDVI strengthened its commitment by acquiring SERSYS, a French manufacturer of high-security, anti-vandalism, and fire-resistant locking systems designed for the most demanding environments. The acquisition reinforces CDVI’s position as a trusted supplier of integrated solutions for physical protection and access control resilience.
Innovation That Serves the Field
From voice recognition to biometric access, CDVI has always been at the cutting edge. In the 1990s, the group worked with the Pasteur Institute to develop the world’s first voice recognition system. Since then, innovation has been embedded in every layer of the business: from the development of biometric fingerprint readers with UK-based ievo, to the implementation of secure RF technologies, wireless automation, and cloud-based management platforms.
CDVI now invests nearly 20% of its annual revenue in R&D. With four design offices and five production sites across Europe, the group responds quickly to evolving market needs and technological advancements. All products are designed with installers in mind: reliable, durable, and easy to deploy—with warranties of up to 10 years.
The company also takes part in industrial think tanks focused on smart building and home automation alongside major European players.
Sustainability with Impact: #CDVIgoesgreen
Long before it became a trend, CDVI made sustainability a strategic priority. Under the #CDVIgoesgreen initiative, the group has redefined its approach to product development, packaging, logistics, and manufacturing:
- Low-carbon aluminum, produced entirely with renewable energy, helps reduce 450 tons of CO2 annually
- Eco-designed packaging, including the elimination of 5,000 m² of cardboard and plastic foam every year
- Digital documentation, accessed via QR codes to reduce paper waste
- LED lighting, waste sorting, and short supply chains implemented across all production sites
But CDVI’s impact also extends to society. The group supports the charity “Rêves d’Enfants”, which offers airplane discovery flights to sick or disadvantaged children. Over 5,000 children have flown thanks to CDVI’s support. The company is also involved in technical education, working with schools to help train the next generation of installers and integrators.
A European Company with a Global Reach
Though CDVI’s roots are French, its reach and identity are proudly European. The group operates 11 active subsidiaries across Europe and North America: Belgium, Germany, Spain, Sweden, Italy, the UK, Poland, Switzerland, Morrocco and Canada.
Its flagship production site in northern France spans 3.5 hectares and centralizes electronics, plastics, metalwork, assembly, and logistics. Products are distributed to over 100 countries, with local teams ensuring fast, efficient service and technical support.
Today, CDVI generates €70 million in annual revenue, employs over 300 people, and continues to expand with strategic acquisitions and partnerships. Its independence, agility, and commitment to excellence make it a unique player in the global security ecosystem.
Looking Ahead
CDVI turns 40 with the same passion that started it all: a desire to simplify and secure everyday access through smart, sustainable technologies. With strong European roots, a visionary roadmap, and a people-first approach, the group continues to shape the future of access control.
The group intends to continue growing without losing its independence or its identity, the journey continues and the best is yet to come.
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