Industry News
For everyone and NE one…
When choosing a company name - with several exceptions (never
understood Moonpig, for instance) - it’s usually wise to pick a moniker
that shows what you have to offer and whereabouts you are - for that
reason, North East Lock & Key is about as good as it gets as a brand.
» SUPPLING LOCKS AND KEYS,
in the North East, the name says it
all, and yet The Locksmith Journal
caught up with Purchasing Manager
Scott Walton to find out a little bit
more about the business, more than
four decades since his grandfather
established the company…
“My grandad started the
company in 1977 so I was never
far from NE Lock & Key growing
up,” starts Scott. “I haven’t always
‘officially’ worked here though and
actually used to work on the road;
selling loft and cavity insulation.
After a while I got sick of travelling
around all the time and came back
to a permanent position, and I’ve
been here ever since.”
“As a brand, the ethos of NE Lock
& Key has stayed steady; we pride
ourselves on a personal service
from start to finish. And, as our
main customers are locksmiths and
tradesmen, service always has to
be top notch. In fact, if we had to
describe ourselves in three words,
I’d have to say ‘knowledgeable, fun,
Northern’ - the first two are honed
from years working in a family-run
business, and the third; well, it
speaks for itself!”
NE Lock & Key may have a
traditional mindset - one that has
worked for sure - but the product
lines have evolved through the
years, especially in one particular
area, as Scott explains: “UPVC
products have perhaps been our
biggest area of growth over the
years, which makes sense given the
increased use of that material in
doors and windows. This sector is
our best-selling for sure. There are
so many products on the market
that we always like to keep up
with, and even stay ahead of the
competition.
16
So, what’s next?
“We’re hoping 2020 will
continue to bring more of
the same for NE Lock & Key,”
continues Scott. “We would,
of course, like to gain more
customers - which, thanks to the
likes of UK Mail and DHL we can
supply products to all over the UK
- and keep our current customers
satisfied, as we have been doing
since the 1970s.
“We’re also really looking
forward to the launch of our new
website that should hopefully
going live very soon, and a few
other things that we’re keeping
‘hush hush’ about for now, but will
share as soon as we can.”
‘we that black finishes will
be the next big thing’
“In terms of trends going forward,
we think black finishes will be the
next big thing. That’s what everyone
seems to be pushing at the moment
with products. We’re flexible
though, and always on the hunt for
new products. I do struggle to go to
expos and exhibitions though, as
they are usually on a weekend, and
I have a young family I like spend
time with when I’m not at work.”
Aside from changing product
lines in line with changing
customer needs, the service at NE
Lock & Key remains constant, or
in Scott’s words “we will just keep
up with what we always do, as it
works.” Scott also comments on
the “great little unit” that the team
are at the Harvey Close site in
Washington, which is undoubtedly
a factor for the loyal customer base
that continue to use the products
and services there.
Watch this space.
NORTH EAST
LOCK
&
EY
For more information, Scott
invites readers to call 0191 416
1843, pop into NE Lock & Key
at 31 Harvey Close, Crowther
Industrial Estate, Washington,
NE38 0AB, and keep an eye on
nelockandkey.co.uk
JAN/FEB 2020
locksmithjournal.co.uk
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