The Hub for Electronic Locksmiths Around the World

✦ First Edition

A Message From Dave O'Toole

Well, it has been a great journey getting to where we are with the Electronic Locksmith Group and the launch of the website and forum. What started off as a chat over coffee with Lee at the Access Control Summit in Zurich about locksmiths and the phenomenal surge in the smart lock and wireless access control business, developed into something deeper. We both concurred that electronics was the way forward for locksmiths to grow and to future proof the locksmith industry globally but they needed help and the support of other locksmiths and the manufacturers to develop it into a new sector of the security industry. Many locksmith business owners may think that they are too old and settled to join this electronic lock revolution but many have employees and family members who would love to get involved and contribute to the growth of the business.

Locksmiths have the necessary skill and knowledge to not only install the locks and hardware but to ensure the door and frame alignment necessary for the smooth operation of the locks. Locksmiths fall into a niche position as they are more than capable of completing the many 1 to 15 door projects that are too small for manufacturers and large integrators to engage in while many locksmith companies would find bigger projects a major challenge to fulfil.

With the support of the boards of ELF (European Locksmith Federation) and ALOA (Associated Locksmiths of America), with many manufacturers in agreement, the electronic locksmith community was created. The aim being to foster communication and education for locksmiths to learn more about the technology and to work with manufacturers to become the leaders in providing smart locking to home owners and small enterprises.

Thanks to all the support and help from Lee, Hilary and Hailey from The Access Control Community and the two major international locksmith associations, we now have the foundation to grow this industry and support members to foster relationships with other locksmiths and manufacturers from around the world. This free website and forum (courtesy of TACC) will be a great tool to develop the electronic locksmith and I look forward to seeing this community grow and for the participating locksmiths to flourish.

I would like to sincerely thank Lee, Hilary and Hailey for putting so much time and effort into creating this unique opportunity for locksmiths and hopefully many will avail of it.