The Locksmith Journal Nov-Dec 2016 - Issue 47 | Page 26

26 • ANNUALREVIEW
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Growth in Security following the referendum result

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DESPITE THE ONGOING ‘ austerity ’ measures and UK ’ s decision to leave the EU , the security market has continued to grow . This may be partly owing to the uncertain economic and political outlook giving rise to a general feeling of insecurity . Customers are seeking to counteract those feelings by improving protection of what they already have , so are looking to increase the security
levels around their homes and businesses . Combined with a shift towards taking a wider view of security needs , retailers are thinking beyond the initial sale and making the most of each customer ’ s visit .
Whether it ’ s by either upgrading existing locks and systems , or protecting previously exposed or vulnerable areas , Burg-Wächter and Sterling believe that good security is all about building in layers . Lights , locks on windows , doors and gates plus electronic entry systems and cameras are all important components of perimeter security . Next , a visible alarm system should act as both a deterrent and an alert , limiting the burglar ’ s time in the property . The final line
of defence is securing items inside the property in a safe , which both hides the items from sight and makes them difficult to remove . Together , Burg- Wächter and Sterling are able to offer all of these associated products as part of wide ranging security portfolio , which includes quality padlocks , door and windows locks , security cables and chains , post boxes , cash boxes and safes . This gives locksmiths the opportunity to provide a broader and more comprehensive service , increasing customer satisfaction and boosting sales .
From our own point of view , 2016 has been a good solid year of continued market , product and customer growth . Following its successful
launch at the end of 2014 , Burg-Wächter ’ s Safe Centre Partnership has increased our safe dealer network across the UK and Ireland . As a result , we ’ ve expanded our dedicated management and customer teams , to ensure that stockists continue to receive high levels of service with favourable terms and rapid delivery on the majority of lines . Our European parent company has also been busy developing and trialling practical and innovative security solutions , which we hope will continue to grow sales across the UK and Irish markets in 2017 .
For further information , contact Burg-Wächter UK on 01274 395333

A year of progress

Established in 1987 in Telford , Shropshire , Winlock Security Ltd is the only remaining volume manufacturer of window handles in the UK . It is a leading supplier of innovative door and window hardware including timber , aluminium , PVCu and social housing product ranges to UK and European fabricators .
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ALAN PARKER , MD AT WINLOCK , discusses the growth and complexities of the past 12 months . He says , “ 2016 has been a year of progress for Winlock , with increased sales in every area .
“ We ’ re particularly proud that this progress has not been a result of market growth , but rather driven by our product and service initiatives . Of note , our new Deltalock and Lifetime Concealed ranges have been very well received , and our Document Q programme has generated a lot of customer interest .
“ 2016 hasn ’ t however been without complexity . The main difficulty has been the depreciation of Sterling and the consequent cost increases on many of the ranges we sell . Recovering all the cost increase is difficult and time consuming . Thankfully , consumer confidence has held up reasonably well against this Brexit-effect so our market volumes have remained stable . As one of the UK ’ s only hardware manufacturers we are also now considerably more competitive against our Asian counterparts than we were in 2015 .
“ Looking forward we are expecting significant growth in 2017 against the backdrop of a static or falling market . The products and services launched in 2016 will bring us a full year ’ s benefit , plus we have very high hopes for the new collaboration we have launched with Ingenious Locks & Hardware ,” Alan concludes .
www . winlock . co . uk
LOCKSMITHJOURNAL . CO . UK | NOV / DEC 2016