What was the organic growth rate for the SimonsVoss, Interflex, and Global Portable Security businesses in 2020 
in our General Managers. Thought there one of the key moves was to simplify and reduce the overall cost of running the International segment. Two is, within those portfolios, we think we're well positioned to move ahead, especially as -- electronic as a driver. Our Gainsborough offerings are being updated in terms of electronics and we continue to drive the SimonsVoss and Interflex business with new products that -- and a supply chain that I think has helped us grow during the pandemic.
Third is, Global Portable Security with Kryptonite, AXA, and Trelock has performed into a nice operating position as demand for bikes and demand for growth as an OEM supplier have been nicely. So, we expect Tim to advance that and lean into the electronics growth and potentially further acquisitions in that space.
Patrick Shannon -- Senior Vice President, Chief Financial Officer
Josh, I would just add too. You saw it in the numbers, we exited 2020 in really good shape. Good organic growth, as Dave mentioned on the SimonsVoss, Interflex, Global Portable Security. We would expect that to continue, obviously, in 2021, leveraging the good work that was done in the back half of '20. And then on the operational margin performance, outstanding Q4 and our outline has always been, hey, the continuous improve our margin profile associated with our International region and we would expect that to continue going forward. Again, relative to some of the cost actions we took early in 2020, you saw that come through in the year and we expect that momentum to continue in '21.
Josh Chan -- Robert W. Baird & Co. -- Analyst
That's great. That's good color. Thank you. And my follow-up is on the non-res specification business, recognizing that that's a longer cycle business, are you seeing any sort of uptake in the early stages of the design process? And -- where in terms of verticals might you be seeing any types of movement or improvement there in terms of the early stages of the design?
David D. Petratis -- Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer
So, our specification levels have remained strong and we have continued to invest in digital capability and keeping that specifying capability strong. So, we're in a good position. We expect to see a rebound in the second half. There has not been a lot of activity on the campuses of the world, especially the campuses of North America and as we normalize, we expect some pickup in the second half.
As we look at the overall project load, we see positive traction as those institutional products -- projects reload but also in the hospital sector, where we're very nicely positioned. That whole structure has been severely tested and clearly, the economics would suggest that that will be a continued opportunity when we get to the other side of the pandemic, Josh.
Josh Chan -- Robert W. Baird & Co. -- Analyst
Great. Thanks for the color and thanks for the time.
David D. Petratis -- Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer
Thank you.
Operator
The next question from David MacGregor of Longbow Research. Please go ahead.
David MacGregor -- Longbow Research -- Analyst
Yes. Good morning, everyone.
David D. Petratis -- Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer
Good morning.
David MacGregor -- Longbow Research -- Analyst
Thanks for all the color on the outlook. And as you pointed out your cyclical business organic growth is going to be soft this year. So, I guess, that raises the question, given the strength of your cash flow with inorganic growth. And so, I'm just wondering if you could talk a little bit about how you're thinking about the acquisition growth opportunity in '21. Do we see any departure from the pattern of more bolt-on transactions? Do we start leaning into perhaps larger deals as a way to support that acquisition growth? And, I guess, how -- overall just how confident are you in your ability to deliver growth by acquisitions?
David D. Petratis -- Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer
I'd say, number one, strong message from our Board of Directors pull this lever. Two, we've been activ
in our General Managers. Thought there one of the key moves was to simplify and reduce the overall cost of running the International segment. Two is, within those portfolios, we think we're well positioned to move ahead, especially as -- electronic as a driver. Our Gainsborough offerings are being updated in terms of electronics and we continue to drive the SimonsVoss and Interflex business with new products that -- and a supply chain that I think has helped us grow during the pandemic.
Third is, Global Portable Security with Kryptonite, AXA, and Trelock has performed into a nice operating position as demand for bikes and demand for growth as an OEM supplier have been nicely. So, we expect Tim to advance that and lean into the electronics growth and potentially further acquisitions in that space.
Patrick Shannon -- Senior Vice President, Chief Financial Officer
Josh, I would just add too. You saw it in the numbers, we exited 2020 in really good shape. Good organic growth, as Dave mentioned on the SimonsVoss, Interflex, Global Portable Security. We would expect that to continue, obviously, in 2021, leveraging the good work that was done in the back half of '20. And then on the operational margin performance, outstanding Q4 and our outline has always been, hey, the continuous improve our margin profile associated with our International region and we would expect that to continue going forward. Again, relative to some of the cost actions we took early in 2020, you saw that come through in the year and we expect that momentum to continue in '21.
Josh Chan -- Robert W. Baird & Co. -- Analyst
That's great. That's good color. Thank you. And my follow-up is on the non-res specification business, recognizing that that's a longer cycle business, are you seeing any sort of uptake in the early stages of the design process? And -- where in terms of verticals might you be seeing any types of movement or improvement there in terms of the early stages of the design?
David D. Petratis -- Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer
So, our specification levels have remained strong and we have continued to invest in digital capability and keeping that specifying capability strong. So, we're in a good position. We expect to see a rebound in the second half. There has not been a lot of activity on the campuses of the world, especially the campuses of North America and as we normalize, we expect some pickup in the second half.
 As we look at the overall project load, we see positive traction as those institutional products -- projects reload but also in the hospital sector, where we're very nicely positioned. That whole structure has been severely tested and clearly, the economics would suggest that that will be a continued opportunity when we get to the other side of the pandemic, Josh.
Josh Chan -- Robert W. Baird & Co. -- Analyst
Great. Thanks for the color and thanks for the time.
David D. Petratis -- Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer
Thank you.
Operator
The next question from David MacGregor of Longbow Research. Please go ahead.
David MacGregor -- Longbow Research -- Analyst
Yes. Good morning, everyone.
David D. Petratis -- Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer
Good morning.
David MacGregor -- Longbow Research -- Analyst
Thanks for all the color on the outlook. And as you pointed out your cyclical business organic growth is going to be soft this year. So, I guess, that raises the question, given the strength of your cash flow with inorganic growth. And so, I'm just wondering if you could talk a little bit about how you're thinking about the acquisition growth opportunity in '21. Do we see any departure from the pattern of more bolt-on transactions? Do we start leaning into perhaps larger deals as a way to support that acquisition growth? And, I guess, how -- overall just how confident are you in your ability to deliver growth by acquisitions?
David D. Petratis -- Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer
I'd say, number one, strong message from our Board of Directors pull this lever. Two, we've been activ