Notice Board
ALA at 30
Built by Locksmiths, Driven by Community, Ready for What’ s Next
» THREE DECADES ON, THE AUTO Locksmiths Association proves that shared knowledge, real-world training and strong relationships remain the trade’ s greatest assets. Their 30th anniversary meeting was held last month and was a great success‘ the best yet’.
Full Circle in Nottingham
Thirty years after its formation, the Auto Locksmiths Association( ALA) returned to Nottingham, where it all began, for a landmark weekend that combined technical learning, industry reflection and a clear focus on the future.
What started in 1996 as a small gathering of independent specialists has grown into a respected, close-knit organisation. This anniversary event brought together around 55-60 members across the training sessions, rising to nearly 100 for the evening celebrations, reinforcing the strength of the network that has been built over three decades.
Chairman Kenny Grant reflected on the milestone as both an achievement and a reminder of the association’ s purpose.“ Thirty years on, the goal hasn’ t changed. It’ s still about helping auto locksmiths improve, stay current, and do the job properly,” he said.“ The technology keeps moving, but being part of the ALA means you’ re not trying to figure it out alone, you’ ve got a network of experienced professionals sharing real-world knowledge.”
He also pointed to the people behind the organisation as the real reason for its longevity.“ I’ m proud of what the ALA has become, and that’ s down to the committee members, past and present, who’ ve given their time to keep it going. It’ s never been about individuals, it’ s about the trade as a whole.”
Training That Reflects the Real World
As with any ALA event, the weekend was built around practical, hands-on learning.
Friday opened with a busy KeyPrint picking class, setting the tone for a programme rooted in real-world skills. This was followed by formal examinations led by Iain Baron, with six candidates sitting and all successfully passing, demonstrating the high standards required to join the association.
Saturday’ s schedule delivered a full day of technical sessions across multiple rooms. Tom Whatley led detailed walkthroughs on Renault Captur lost key scenarios using AVDI, while Mark Carter explored the evolution of vehicle security gateways, an increasingly critical area as
manufacturers introduce tighter controls on system access.
These sessions reflected the everyday challenges faced by locksmiths, balancing modern diagnostics with practical problem-solving.
The Value of Traditional Skills
While advanced tools and programming dominated parts of the agenda, one of the most impactful sessions of the weekend focused on a traditional technique‘ impressioning’.
Led by Tim Hart and Iain Baron, the workshops saw around 20 members across two sessions working through the process of creating keys manually using files. One newer member successfully completed a particularly difficult impression on a high-security lock, highlighting both the complexity and importance of the skill.
Iain Baron, who has been involved with the ALA for over 20 years and previously spent 14 years on the committee, reflected on both the milestone and the continued relevance of such techniques.“ I can’ t believe we’ re at 30 years- it’ s the committee members that make it all happen and keep it going so long,” he said.“ Impressioning is one of those skills you might not use every day, but when you need it, it’ s invaluable. When all else fails, it can get you out of a lot of trouble.”
14
MAY 2026
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