SAFELOCKS
SPONSORED BY KEYPRINT
EXCITING CHANGES CONTINUE
FOR SAFELOCK SYSTEMS
A lot has happened since Safelock Systems was first established some 28 years ago.
The Surrey-based company was
originally set up by Jim and Linda Brown
in 1985.
Jim had gained invaluable experience
working for US-based Sargent &
Greenleaf, a world leader in medium and
high security locks and locking systems
for safes and vaults. It was this experience
that enabled him – working in partnership
with LA GARD founder Nick Gartner - to
begin distributing the LA GARD range of
mechanical combination and key locks.
Nick’s knowledge and Jim’s experience
plus his friendly, genuine and passionate
approach to his work, struck the right
note in the business and he launched
what swiftly became a highly successful
marketing operation across the UK and
the Republic of Ireland.
A NEW GENERATION
As the industry evolved and electronic
lock systems were developed by LA GARD,
Safelock Systems continued to expand
with its focus firmly fixed on the expert
programming and supply of electronic
locks - still clearly recognisable on safes,
vaults, cabinets and ATMs throughout the
globe.
Sadly, Jim passed away early in 2012 and
more changes followed with the retirement
of General Manager, Tom Hickey.
Jim and Tom were hard acts to follow,
but the family business has continued to
flourish, with a new generation - in the
shape of Jim’s son Tony, and daughter
Jasmine, coming on board to carry on
Jim’s legacy and find new ways to take the
company forward into an exciting future.
“We were lucky in inheriting such a
strong foundation - and also such an
experienced and successful team,” said
Tony.
“Having that well-established base is
enabling us to modernise the business
and make some radical changes that
are designed to offer a much broader
product range to our customers. One of
the key changes Tony and I have made
is that we are no longer exclusively
distributors of LA GARD products,
but have substantially expanded our
product portfolio,” Jasmine explained.
“We now supply a range of KABA,
Tecnosicurezza, Wittkopp, Stuv and
STB Safelock products in addition
to the LA GARD range. This is
designed to ensure we can meet all
the requirements of our customers
and ensure we continue to offer high
calibre, quality products from these
leading manufacturers.”
2013 has also brought investment in
upgrading Safelock Systems’ marketing
and business operations, from a new
state of the art accounting system to
development of the website, where
users can find a wealth of information.
SPECIALIST KNOWLEDGE
“We view the changes we are making
as significant to all our customers,
as well as to us as a company,”
Tony added. “But some aspects of
the business remain the same: our
commitment to customer service,
for instance, and also the technical
backup and support for operation
and programming that we offer. That
is a crucial aspect of the business,
especially with La Gard products where
specialist knowledge is so important.
“It is our policy carefully to assess
customers’ needs and make sure that
our team can provide the knowledge and
experience to supply the best lock system
to meet those needs. On the new website,
users can refer to the lock system pages
for operation and installation instructions.
Or a call to the company will connect you
directly with the people who can help.
“Efficient stock monitoring means we
can supply the right products quickly and
efficiently but sales is not the end of the
story. For us, aftersales care – whether it
is in the form of responding to technical
queries or providing any other guidance will always be part of the service.”
‘We certainly could
not achieve what we
are doing without their
outstanding support’
Jasmine paid tribute to the excellent
team behind the company, all of whom
fulfil vital roles - from technical support to
sales and administration.
“We certainly could not achieve what
we are doing without their outstanding
support,” she said.
No doubt Jim would be pleased to see
the business in such safe hands for the
future.
Tel +44 (0)20 8949 1005.
Fax +44 (0)20 8336 1128.
Email: [email protected].
www.safelocksystems.com
‘We now supply a range
of products from KABA,
Tecnosicurezza, Wittkopp,
Stuv, STB and LA GARD’
58
THE NOV/DEC 2013 ISSUE
SPONSORED BY ADVANCED KEYS
To read more, visit www.locksmithjournal.co.uk