From the Editor
Evolution versus revolution
It ’ s not news to say that our industry is changing every day . New people , new products , new problems . We have built a magazine around those changes . We call it ‘ the news !’ But what type of changes – and changers – are the best for our industry ? Slow and steady evolution , or drastic and dynamic revolution ?
» LET ’ S LOOK AT THE DEFINITIONS ; EVOLUTION IS the gradual development of something whereas revolution is to overthrow something in favour of a new system . Maybe a healthy dose of both is what makes a sector great ?
Because we need those innovators and radical thinkers to throw fresh ideas into the mix and we also can ’ t live without the dedicated experts that will see through the development of designs and progression of the sector as a whole .
It ’ s fair to say that locksmithing is a wonderful mix or old and new ; traditional craftmanship and cutting-edge technology . How do we fit that into our pages every month – and satisfy everyone ? We do it with your help , dear reader .
We underwent a revolution at The Locksmith Journal last year , almost 12 months ago in fact . We doubled our annual issues from six to 12 . One every single month . Why did we do that ? Because the industry is evolving at a pace that needed more regularity for our readers . We ’ ve also changed some of the content in our magazine .
We wanted it to be more ‘ real ’, more personal . We wanted to keep the parts that have evolved over time , but we also wanted to refresh parts too – in favour of a new system . In fact , the revolution of our magazine was the evolution of our magazine and vice versa .
More importantly , we wanted more of those innovators and radical thinkers that throw fresh ideas into the mix and the dedicated experts that see through the development of designs and progression of the sector as a whole !
In the evolution of The Locksmith Journal , this issue contains the most real-life locksmiths so far , the largest front section of features and we have more leads than ever before for more interviews with people contacting us directly or recommending other people they think should be in the magazine .
It ’ s the readers ’ revolution and we couldn ’ t be happier to hand these pages over to you .
See you next time , Gemma
LOCK-UP THE PASSION
» THIS MONTH I ’ VE INTERVIEWED A VARIETY OF businesses in the trade … I ’ ve interviewed locksmiths including a professional safecracker , a locksmith franchising business and a quality hardware , locks and architectural ironmongery supplier .
I ’ m pleased to say the word is spreading … When one locksmith recommends another locksmith to do a story , thank you to Derek Mercer at Lockeys for the ‘ heads-up ’ and prompting us to interview Mark Doyle , Paladin Locksmiths . A Qualified Master Locksmith ( QML ) and professional safecracker with over 20 years of experience based in Skelmersdale .
I also caught up with Kevin Russell , managing director of LockFit Group , who originally started out as a ‘ one-man-band ’ locksmith in 2018 . With big ambitions and the desire for fair transparent pricing , the business grew into a highly successful national locksmith franchise . Enabling aspiring locksmiths to become a franchisee and access everything they need ; to be on the road within four weeks .
Unusually , the sun was shining in Scotland for Natasha Pugh , Sales Director of APECS , when she did her grand tour in April , visiting over 40 customers and showcasing their full range of cylinders and NEW Tedee Smart Lock , as well as attending the Locksmith Training School .
Lastly but not least , Lee Atkins at Poole Key Locksmiths , Dorset , kindly got in touch with us to help warn other locksmiths about the danger of legal disputes as a result of Freeman of the Land signs on warrants . Beware !
The people I speak to have a passion for the trade that really should be bottled-up ; or locked-up would probably be more fitting . Even though everyone is so busy with their manic working lives , they ’ re happy to pass on their valuable advice to our readers . Thank you to everyone who has taken part so far .
Do you have something you want to say ? Let us interview you and write a story on your business for our next edition of The Locksmith Journal - it ’ s totally free-of-charge . All you need to do is get in-touch and spare 20 minutes of your time to tell us : Locksmith lifehacks - your top tips and advice . How you market yourselves effectively ? How did you get into the trade ? Or sector news and funny stories to tell ?
Stories in locksmithing never cease to amaze us at Locksmith Journal . Get in-touch with Wendy – wendy @ cvgroup . co . uk
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MAY 2024
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