The Future Looks Bright For Locksmithing Industry

In this article for The Locksmith journal, Dr Steffan George, development director of The Master Locksmiths Association (MLA), looks at what  2015 will hold for the MLA and for the locksmithing industry

The past year has been a really successful one for the MLA and its members. One of the highlights has undoubtedly been the launch of our UK-first locksmith-specific apprentice scheme – we have welcomed two intakes of apprentices so far and more are expected in 2015.

Our aim was to help companies who would like to take on staff and have them trained and assessed to a minimum standard, and to boost the credibility of our industry so that locksmithing is seen as a ‘proper job’. We have already made good progress and will continue to develop the programme, and we’re looking forward to taking on a third set of apprentices in the new year.

During the last year we have also significantly ramped up promotion for our members. Our public relations campaign has continued to convey the importance of using third party, local, professional locksmiths, with press coverage concerning the activities of and advice from the MLA reaching more than four million people in the last 12 months alone. This has been spread across a variety of national, regional and specialist press, raising awareness of the MLA and its members among homeowners, tenants, landlords and facilities managers around the UK.

Additionally, we have again seen a considerable increase in hits to our website – www.locksmiths.co.uk – and members’ pages. The amount of visitors to the site has doubled in 12 months and hopefully this upward trend will continue into 2015. It has been great to receive a lot of positive feedback from members, who are telling us that they’re getting significant amounts of work thanks to their MLA membership. This proves the effectiveness of the promotion we’re doing and shows how locksmiths can really benefit from being part of the MLA. The deal we have recently struck with Numark (a group of independent pharmacies), whereby MLA companies are checking minimum security levels are required and certificating the premises for the insurer, are a demonstration of the commitment the MLA has to benefiting its members.

Of course, we’re very much looking forward to the return of the MLA Expo (proudly sponsored by ERA) in October 2015. Judging by the record stand sales – almost a year in advance – this will be another great event at which you can not only the chance to get your hands on the latest locksmithing tools and equipment, but also benefit from great show deals for new products and of course excellent and diverse training. Find out more at www.locksmiths.co.uk/mla-expo/. As well as the Expo, the regular MLA regional meetings are definitely worth attending, providing further opportunities for training and networking with others in the industry.

Next year is also set to be an exciting one for the locksmithing industry. Big changes are ahead as licensing is being introduced for locksmiths in Ireland. This legislation – which has divided opinions in the industry – will not only make it an offence for unlicensed locksmiths to trade, but will also make it illegal to engage the services of an unlicensed locksmith. It should be very interesting to see the impact the new legislation has and, if licensing is a success in Ireland, whether this affects the UK Government’s stance on the matter, as we know they currently have no plans to move away from self-regulation.

Also taking place in Ireland in 2015 is the European Locksmith Federation Conference. Hundreds will attend the event held in Dublin in May to hear from some of the industry’s top executives, with seminars covering interesting topics such as current and future trends in the lock industry; 3D printing and key duplication implications; and facts about restricted and patented key control.

We’re looking forward to another busy and successful year for the MLA, and will be continuing with our promotional campaign to maximise results for our members. This will be further enhanced with the recent employment of Chris Churchill, who is now looking after our website and taking charge of digital promotion, as well as a new marketing officer role that has been created. Both will be focused on ensuring that locksmiths continue to see even more real benefits from their MLA membership and receive more business through their presence on the MLA website.

If you’re not yet a member but would like to find out more about what MLA membership involves, we would welcome the opportunity to speak to you at the MLA Expo or at other events we attend, visit www.locksmiths.co.uk or call 0800 783 1498.

Tweet us: @MLA_locksmiths or @Chris_MLA

alex@karolmarketing.com

www.locksmiths.co.uk.