From the Editor
Looking Back, Moving Forward – and Heading to the Expo
It’ s hard to believe, but it’ s now two years since The Locksmith Journal made the leap from bi-monthly to monthly publishing. 24 issues later, we’ re taking a moment( a brief one, as we’ re already kneedeep in September’ s content) to reflect on what we’ ve learnt and where we’ re heading …
» WHEN WE INCREASED OUR FREQUENCY, WE knew there was plenty happening across the locksmithing world, but we didn’ t realise just how much. What’ s become clear is that this is an industry full of movement, innovation, and real passion. One of our biggest hopes was to hear more from working locksmiths themselves, those out on the road, in the van, on the job, and we’ re thrilled to say that our pages are now filling faster than we ever imagined.
We’ re now regularly receiving contributions from locksmiths not only across the UK but from around the world. Whether it’ s a product review, a business insight, or a personal journey into the trade, every story adds something special. Many of these pieces are written by Wendy but also submissions from locksmiths themselves, real voices with real experience, shaping the magazine in ways we could only have hoped for.
In this issue, we also begin our official preview of the MLA Expo this October, always a major highlight. Alongside that, we’ ve got training updates, the latest product launches, and innovation from right across the industry, from the biggest names to solo installers making waves in their own right.
Thank you to everyone who contributes, reads, shares and supports The Locksmith Journal. You’ re the reason we can keep growing, and why we’ re already racing towards next month’ s edition.
We hope you’ re as busy as we are – and judging by most of the people we talk to, you are!
See you next time, Gemma
GRIT, GROWTH & GLOBAL LOCKPICKING
» I’ M HAPPY TO BE WORKING IN ONE OF MOST exciting industries with the most passionate tradespeople I’ ve ever come across. Every month I interview people wondering how on earth we’ ll top the previous edition …
Upt’ North in the Wirral, I spoke to Mark Funston of Northwest Emergency Locksmiths, who is up for not one, but five national awards, including Locksmith of the Year! His story starts with redundancy and ends with national recognition, and plenty of risk-taking in between.
Meanwhile, in sunny Ballarat, Australia, we spoke to James Gillet( chef-turned-lockpicker-turned-ethical hacker) whose work now involves breaking into buildings and computer networks … with permission, of course! James of Dark Arts Lockpicking reminds us that locksmiths often wear many hats.
Back on UK soil, I interviewed MPL in Wakefield, the training centre and distributor that started from a humble trade counter and now helps locksmiths across the country keep more work in-house. With Nicky England at the helm, this is a story of quiet ambition, steady growth, and the power of saying yes to the right opportunities.
Just down the road from me in Cannock, Simon Mason-Newman of Chase Locksmiths Ltd is always on the move- setting up a new shop, training locksmiths nationwide, and forever chasing‘ the next shiny thing’. His journey began with utility warrants and a mentor named David Duffty who passed on his hard-won knowledge, shaping Simon into the locksmith and trainer he is today.
Looking ahead: the ALA( Auto Locksmiths Association) is turning 30 next year. From a local meet-up in Nottingham to a nationwide network, check out their upcoming training at‘ The Garage’ during MLA Expo 2025.
And finally, I shoot off to the palm-lined streets of Miami, where Patrick Alcee of Alcee & Bros Locksmith is mixing key cutting with a bit of American hustle. Whether he’ s programming car keys or fixing ironmongery in fast-food joints, his passion for puzzle solving has turned into a thriving business, with free burgers …
So, wherever you’ re reading this, I hope these stories remind you why you do what you do. If your journey has a twist or two of its own, I’ d love to hear from you. I don’ t want this fun to end. Get in touch and tell me your story: wendy @ cvgroup. co. uk
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AUGUST 2025
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