AUTO LOCKSMITHS EXTRA
or a Birmingham ,” says Tony . “ Now , that same information can be spread nationwide overnight , especially via social media .
“ That is what drives us at TVL Group . We need to be constantly innovating if we are to give our customers any chance of staying one step ahead of would-be thieves .”
It is not just criminals and TVL Group that is evolving – Tony also sees more customers taking a more concerted interest in securing their assets .
“ When we first started serving customers with TVL Security in 2009 , the average job involved installing either just a side door or rear door DeadLock ,” he explains . “ Today , most vans in our compound will be in to have DeadLocks , OBD Port protectors , RepLocks , HookLocks , and more all added in one go . To me , that says that it is not just thieves that have realised the value a typical van can hold , but customers too .”
TVL Security is also evolving . In 2018 , the business penned a unique partnership in the UK aftermarket vehicle security by agreeing a bespoke collaboration with Ford . The deal grants Ford customers the option to have TVL ’ s products added to Ford Transit and Transit Customs as factory-fit extras in Turkey before their new vehicle arrives in the UK . Could this route be followed by other brands ?
“ Ford has taken a quantum leap on the security front in working with us to install our systems as factory-fit options , but it is still pretty much out on its own in that regard ,” says Tony . “ When you consider how long it takes to bring a new model from the drawing board to driving it off the production line , it is going to take a few more iterations yet before we see all the major brands bringing any major security changes to their typical standard designs .
“ That is not to say though that Ford will always be unique in this regard . Manufacturers have certainly woken up to the fact that they need to improve the base levels of security in their vehicles . We are in constant communication with some of the biggest automotive brands to help them understand the constantly changing field of vehicle security .”
The business has also recently made a significant investment in its Brentwood headquarters in Essex , adding valuable additional warehouse capacity , a vehicle compound capable of housing more than 200 vehicles at any one time , while also welcoming its vehicle fit-out brand ProtectAVan back to the site .
“ The headquarters expansion underlines just how quickly the UK ’ s aftermarket vehicle security sector is growing ,” adds Tony . “ Adding all that extra space will allow us to ramp up our crime-battling efforts by helping the team here to complete larger jobs much more quickly .”
As for the future , in Tony ’ s view , even as more automotive manufacturers begin to buck up their inherent security competency , the tenacious approach thieves continue to take to committing van and tool theft means TVL ’ s expertise will always be required .
“ Tackling the onslaught of van crime requires total dedication , which vehicle OEMs do not have the capacity to take on alongside their usual work ,” he concludes . “ That is where TVL Group brings huge value to the market .
“ No matter how proactive OEMs become with security , there will always be a need for businesses like ours .”
www . tvl-ltd . co . uk
APRIL 2024
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