INDUSTRYNEWS • 21
The worst bits, however, are attending
after a break-in when the house has
been ransacked. It is awful, and sadly
they never feel the same again, which
is why I hate (strong word - I know)
burglars, as well as people changing
locks to keep their partners out – it is
never nice to see. When we get a call
out for an eviction too, it’s a horrible job,
and my heart goes out to them. I like to
see the good in everybody and we never
know what has happened for them to get
into such a situation.
A massive upside to this job, though,
is shows and expos. I started going to
the locksmiths exhibitions about seven
years ago and I love them. I have made
some fantastic friends, who are now
firmly behind me, and we have since
become exhibitors ourselves with our
own security products, for what has
become the brand – SASHSTOP. In short,
the SASHSTOP is an innovative lockable
sash jammer which can be applied inside
or outside of a property, and, being an
anti-separation device that is bolted
through the frame it provides a very
secure fit from either a new install or as a
retro-fit too.
I used to bring sample prototypes to
the expos to see what the locksmiths
thought, something I firmly believe in still;
getting the opinion and feedback from
the locksmith on the ground, day-to-day,
is something that you simply cannot
beat, and if I am honest, something that
I feel the bigger companies constantly
overlook.
The only difference being an exhibitor,
other than a visitor, is that you don’t have
time to spend enough quality time with
the guys so I make sure show days on
our stands are entertaining with good
humour and every single person has my
attention no matter how long they have
been a locksmith. I am so honoured that
so many guys wish me luck and buy
our products; it really is what makes the
show(s) for me each time.
2018 has been amazing, less than a
year ago, my SASHSTOP product won
‘Best Product’ at MLA Expo 2017 and
since then we have really pressed on
forward by becoming our own designers,
tool makers and manufacturers and
developing ongoing products, under
other brands, and exhibiting further at
the expos with SASHSTOP – it really has
been fantastic.
For 2019 we are launching more of our
own security products, we are investing
in more machinery, allowing us to bring
LOCKSMITHJOURNAL.CO.UK | NOV/DEC 2018
Sponsored by ABUS
our development further in-house, and
growing our capabilities and capacity at
our manufacturing facility. So, if you have
an idea for a product, get in touch; we
can probably make it a reality. We will,
of course, be looking forward to getting
to the shows and exhibitions to display
our new products from the SASHSTOP
range.
Finally, I whole-heartedly want to
thank all the locksmiths for the amazing
support, advice and time they have
shown us at the exhibitions and on social
media. Thank you.
My advice to anyone wanting to be
a locksmith would be practice picking
every day, buy the best and correct
proper tools, stock up as well as you
can, but also speak to other locksmiths
on forums and social media. It is also a
great idea to definitely try to attend as
many exhibitions as possible as it can
often give you confidence to use new
products, see different things and you
pick up some fantastic tips from suppliers
and other locksmiths.
My own advice - now I’ve done it -
would be to always respect the customer
and to make sure that your last job is
always your best. Push for those 5-star
reviews each and every day, no matter
size of the job, or who it’s for.
The best advice I received was to do
a proper job; don’t cut corners, and be
polite, clean and respectful – something
I have always followed. Personally, I like
to unwind by walking my dogs, especially
on the beach as well as mountain biking,
and I love gardening too. Anything that
gets me away from the van and the
telephone!