Notice Board
FROM LOCKSMITH TO LOCK DISTRIBUTOR: RB-LOCKS IRELAND
» RB-LOCKS IRELAND IS A distributor of RB-Locks( RB-Group), specialist manufacturers of residential and commercial doors, locks products and security solutions. Based in Israel, RB- Group supplies 50 countries worldwide.
We caught up with Jonathan Ward who told us all about the new smart products on the horizon, as well mechanical cylinder and key system refinements.
How did you get involved?
I have been in the lock industry for 20 years. It all started with serving an apprenticeship at S & D Security and, after this, I met David O’ Toole who originally founded RB Locks Ireland in Dublin and started working for him. I took over RB Locks in 2022, and David now runs another company, Touch2Access Technology, and serves as president of the European Locksmith Federation and ALOA in the U. S. David is busy developing hands-free access technology for disabled and the visually impaired, which I’ m also actively involved in.
From Locksmith to Lock Distributor
As a locksmith turned distributor, I understand what professionals in the trade truly value— offering patented keys, anti-slip pin systems, and advanced 3D tech to meet real-world needs with secure, high-quality solutions.
One of my key driving factors is offering a backwards-compatible cylinder that can perform multiple functions, reducing stock requirements and providing significant cost savings. With a single cylinder, locksmiths can implement new key systems, transition to legacy systems, and cover four to five different product roles.
Adapting to Brexit Challenges
As an Irish company supplying into the UK, Brexit presented logistical hurdles. Many smaller locksmiths found it uneconomical to order just two or three cylinders, while larger customers were able to manage the additional paperwork in the early stages. However, demand in Ireland surged due to difficulties importing from the UK which led us strengthen our focus on local sales for Irish customers while continuing to serve larger UK accounts.
Innovation: Motorised Cylinder for Accessibility
Recognising the needs of customers with arthritis and mobility challenges, we introduced a motorised battery-powered cylinder Smart LockApp. This system allows users to unlock doors wirelessly via remote control while maintaining a highsecurity key override for emergencies. It’ s fully compatible with our cylinder range and is ideal for residential applications and Airbnbs.
Offline Security Advantage
In Ireland, many smart locks face insurance limitations due to internet connectivity concerns. Our products perform 90 % of their functions offline, meeting Insurance Federation of Ireland standards. This ensures security without reliance on online systems.
Customer-Focused Approach We’ re a small company committed to providing high-quality products, fair pricing, and strong support. We avoid unnecessary price increases due to our low overheads instead focusing on delivering the best value to locksmiths. RB-Locks offers:
• Fast Shipping: Next-day delivery in Ireland, 48-hour delivery to the UK.
• Hassle-Free Customs: We invoice in sterling without VAT; customers pay HMRC VAT and claim it back as usual.
• Free UK Delivery: Orders over £ 250 qualify for free shipping.
• Cost Savings: As a small company, we keep our products competitively priced without hidden fees or inflated costs from expensive marketing overheads saving up to 50 % on comparable products.
Unfortunately, a lot of high-quality security solutions are unaffordable for customers. Our approach is different— we keep our products reasonably priced so that locksmiths can sell more and remain competitive.
Quality vs. Cheap Imports
There’ s an influx of low-cost products from China, and while they may seem appealing, they often lack the functionality, durability, and security of premium manufacturers. End users sometimes assume there’ s a single product that can do every job, but that’ s a misconception. For example, a consumer might see online a high-end solution suited for large-scale environments like universities, however for residential or small office applications, these systems can be overly complex and expensive.
Our RB Smart Handles provide a costeffective alternative for residential and small office use— delivering smart, wireless access control without unnecessary complexity. We focus on matching the right product to the right application within budget, ensuring customers get what they truly need. If our product isn’ t the right fit, we’ re honest about it— selling the wrong product only leads to frustration and unfair assessments of its capabilities.
You can check out more about our products on YouTube: @ rb-locksireland7885
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APRIL 2025
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