Notice Board
My Inventions & The MLA Expo‘ The GARAGE’
I’ ve always had a tinkerer’ s mind. If I come across a problem on a job, I’ ll often sit down and make a piece of equipment to help me the next time I face the same issue. Over the years I’ ve built more than 20 plus bits of kit; anything from a wire and switch box to more advanced tools.
Right now, I’ m especially proud of a new tool I’ ve designed: a car remote receiver tester.
The idea came from a common issue I was seeing on Ford Jaguar Land Rover vehicles. Normally, I’ d keep my creations to myself, but my friend Andy Morgan encouraged me to share them more widely. I’ ll be officially launching it at the MLA Expo 2025 at The GARAGE training sessions – I’ m down to present with Greg Chambers from The Diagnostic Box including the TBD023 RF Module Tester.
Join us at: The GARAGE at The MLA Expo, 17 – 19 October 2025
Training is free for ALA members( pre-registration, ID, DBS, and company registration required). See full details and booking on the MLA website: www. locksmiths. co. uk / mla-expo / the-garage / auto-training /
Family, Work-Life Balance & Lessons Learned
Being self-employed has its perks, like flexibility, but the truth is I would work 24 hours a day if the wife let me. Especially when making something new. Making these kits isn’ t just work for me, it’ s a pleasurable pastime, a hobby. I’ m in my workshop, creating, testing and improving. It’ s just what I enjoy doing.
Why I’ m Part of the ALA I first got involved with the Auto Locksmiths Association in 2009. Andy Morgan invited me along as a guest, and I really liked what I saw; good members, strong contacts, shared knowledge and a good old laugh. It’ s like a medicine that all auto locksmiths need!
The ALA has helped me in more ways than I can count. One moment that stands out is when my van was broken into in 2022 and I lost a lot of kit and stock. I put a message out in the ALA group chat, asking to keep an eye out for any kit going. The next thing I knew the ALA members were crowdfunding to raise money. They did everything they could to help me get back on my feet, some even sent me tools in the post. That sense of community is something you can’ t put a price on. That’ s why I like to give back by serving as a committee member. I enjoy helping others, running training sessions, and passing on what I’ ve learned. Most people who join the ALA stay for life, and even those who leave often end up coming back because they miss the support and camaraderie.
Looking Ahead Unfortunately, cars are only going to get more complicated. For me, the focus will remain on diagnostics, immobiliser problems, and non-starts. That’ s where my skills and my kits make the biggest impact.
My plan is to keep building equipment that helps me and others stay ahead of the curve.
Because the truth is, this industry never stands still and that’ s exactly why I love it.
About Auto Keys Ltd Founded in 2003 by Simon Pilling, Auto Keys Ltd is a leading auto locksmith service covering Somerset and North Somerset.
With over 22 years of specialist experience, Auto Keys Ltd provides:
• Mobile car key replacement and duplication
• Broken key extraction from doors and ignitions
• Remote key repairs and transponder programming
• Immobiliser diagnostics, programming, and cloning
• Vehicle door and ignition lock repairs and rebuilds
The company works closely with the motor trade, recovery services, and even main dealerships, who regularly call on Simon for his expertise in solving complex electrical and immobiliser faults.
Known for its rapid response, mobile convenience, and cost-effective service compared to dealerships, Auto Keys Ltd has built a reputation as one of Somerset’ s most trusted auto locksmith providers. With membership of the Auto Locksmiths Association, Auto Keys Ltd operates to the highest industry standards.
www. autokeysltd. com 07759 216205 autokeysltd @ gmail. com
SEPTEMBER 2025
17
Issue Takeover locksmithjournal. co. uk