From the Editor
Locks to look forward to this summer
As some semblance of summer has finally arrived in the UK , the holiday season seems to be upon us . But , thieves don ’ t take a break and there ’ s plenty to consider when it comes to safety and security . That ’ s why July features our once-ayear Outdoor Security and Padlocks special – packed with products to help keep our – and our customers ’ – belongings safe from light fingered thieves , even when the nights are lighter and the days are longer .
» JULY ISSUE ALSO SEES OUR ANNUAL Architectural Ironmongery feature , showcasing hardware from across the industry for all manner of applications and specifications . All alongside our regular security , access control , auto locksmith and commercial news . Add in some exclusive interviews , open day previews , training day reviews , hints and tips and we ’ ve got ourself a magazine .
If you think my intro is a little different this month , you ’ d be right . I don ’ t often write a round-up but as we were putting together the July issue , I took a little extra time to take it all the features and really appreciate all the different areas of our industry ; represented across the pages . From individual achievements to group activities , lifelong locksmiths to newcomers , traditional ironmongery to smart solutions , digital entry and brass padlocks to keep thieves out , domestic , commercial and residential …
The vast variety of services locksmiths provide , and the skills needed to administer them never fails to impress me . Continual learning , product development , education and knowledge never ends , and being able to see both sides of this – the trainers and the trainees , the digital and the mechanical , the designers and the developers , the suppliers and the fitters is a real privilege .
Getting to shine a light on the ‘ everyday ’ things that make our industry so interesting is undoubtedly the best part of our job here at The Locksmith Journal – so looking at what we put in every magazine is the highlight of my month , for sure .
See you next time , Gemma
LEARNING GALORE .
In person , online and in the wild …
» THIS MONTH , WE FEATURE A SERIES OF fascinating individuals in the locksmithing industry , with a special focus on careers that have transitioned into training roles .
After 22 years in the Army , Jamie Kettyles became a locksmith , however , his goal was not just to be a “ decent locksmith ”; he aspired to achieve proficiency in the field . Driven by this ambition , Jamie opened Locksmith Training Scotland in Stirling , aiming to help other locksmiths attain the same level of expertise .
We interviewed Val Stokes , a lady proud to have been in locksmithing for more than 40 years . Starting out working for her parents ’ locksmithing business , Val went on to become Treasurer of the London region and then President of the MLA . Read about her personal journey and discover how being a female in locksmithing has its unique advantages …
Brian James , from LockLab 101 , with his lifelong obsession with locks , enjoys helping both newcomers and experienced locksmiths enhance their skills ; focusing on boosting their confidence in opening complex locks and developing their business acumen . His entertaining and informative locksmith videos have garnered thousands of followers on YouTube , Instagram , and TikTok , where he is well-known for his expertise in nondestructive entry techniques .
Mark Santi of Certified Locksmiths and Security , who recently hosted and helped organise a long weekend locksmith training event for charity , trained participants in the traditional ‘ lost skills ’ of locksmithing . Mark shared how they all got ‘ back to basics ’ in more ways than one .
Thank you to everyone who has taken part in this month ’ s issue and to date so far . You ’ re all amazing . Be in the next edition of The Locksmith Journal . Let me interview you and write a story on your business - 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 , top tips and advice . How you market yourselves effectively ? How did you get into the trade ? Any sector news or funny stories to tell ?
Tell it like it is , stories in locksmithing are amazing . Get in-touch with Wendy wendy @ cvgroup . co . uk
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JULY 2024
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