As we close the chapter on 2025, it’s the perfect time to reflect on a year filled with trade shows, digital events, training opportunities, and exciting new products. Together, we’ve achieved growth, strengthened connections, and delivered real value to the locksmith community. Let’s revisit some of the highlights that made this year memorable.
A year of tradeshows & industry events:
This year, one thing was clear: every trade show was buzzing with energy. We kicked things off at LockExpo in Nottingham, launching our first digital event with prizes, training webinars, and exclusive discounts. Soon after, we joined our sister company OSCA at Mechanex Harrogate, connecting with a fresh audience of automotive professionals.
Automechanika at the NEC attracted even larger crowds. Visitors explored hands-on demonstrations with top tools from brands such as Autel, Xhorse, and Lonsdor, and learned more about our training courses, designed to develop practical, real-world skills.
The most significant buildup was to the highly anticipated MLA Expo in October, the biggest locksmithing event of the year. As Garage sponsors, we enjoyed hosting seminars, unveiling a new brand, and offering discounts of up to 50%. Our stand featured an interactive reaction game for credit vouchers, and we had a great time collaborating with Xhorse as their official training partners. It was wonderful to connect with so many attendees and provide valuable solutions for their businesses.
We concluded the year at the Mechanex show in Surrey, the final automotive trade show of the year. The face-to-face interactions at all events were invaluable, strengthening our industry connections and reinforcing our commitment to providing our customers with the most advanced tools and equipment available.
Strengthening the team:
This year, we welcomed several new team members across customer service, marketing, technical support, warehousing, and product development. Their fresh perspectives helped us provide faster support, smoother operations, and more engaging experiences for customers at trade shows.
Among those joining us were Lily Chang, now leading our Asia operations from Taiwan and strengthening our global manufacturing partnerships. In May, we were also thrilled to welcome Chris Halkyard, inventor of the renowned TrueCode Online. With over 12 years of automotive locksmithing experience, Chris is now developing new product lines and expanding the TrueCode brand under the new parent company, TrueAutomotive.
TrueAutomotive Launch:
Following Chris’s arrival, we expanded into new product ranges under the TrueAutomotive brand to address a clear gap in the market for dependable, high-quality solutions. With over 30 years of collective automotive experience, our team is dedicated to shaping the brand with genuine industry insight and expertise.
TrueAutomotive made its official debut at the MLA Expo, highlighting our dedication to quality, reliability, and practical innovation. Our mission is to deliver real value and support our customers in staying competitive in a rapidly evolving market. Today, TrueCode and TrueKeys are already available, with additional products and continuous enhancements planned throughout 2026 and beyond.
A summer to remember:
This summer was filled with engaging online experiences, including interactive training webinars as part of our big summer event. These sessions featured informative training, live Q&A sessions, and special offers, enabling us to connect with customers nationwide without the need for travel barriers. Whether joining from home or work spots, participants found practical value, and the positive feedback highlighted a desire for more variety and convenience, inspiring us to explore future digital events.
Raising the bar in training:
If there was one area that truly thrived this year, it was our Training Academy. Building on last year’s momentum, we expanded our course sessions, introducing new hands-on training sessions in response to industry demand. The small classroom setting allowed for more 1-1 support, helping attendees make the most out of their course.
In February, we became the first IMI accredited training academy to focus on locksmith professionals, offering courses on automotive locksmithing that include fundamental skills such as lockpicking.
Looking ahead, we’re planning more courses with refreshed content and expanded support materials. The Academy remains one of our proudest achievements, and next year promises to take it to an even higher level.
Winners at the Locksmith Awards:
This year has been filled with standout moments, and one of the most memorable was attending the National Locksmith Awards. We were truly honoured not only to be nominated but also to walk away with two incredible wins: Auto Locksmith Supplier of the Year 2025 and Training Initiative of the Year for our Training Academy.
These awards are a testament to our ongoing commitment to excellence and innovation. We’re deeply grateful for the continued support of our community, partners, and clients. Your trust and encouragement make accomplishments like this possible.
Sights set on expansion:
This year was defined by growth, and we not only strengthened our internal team but also took significant steps to expand our business. Through new partnerships and additional services, we were able to reach more customers and provide better value.
With that said, we’re excited to announce the purchase of a new property that will provide us with the space we need to continue growth. This addition will allow us to increase our stock capacity, further develop our Training Academy, and lay the groundwork for many other projects we have in the pipeline. It’s an exciting new chapter for our team, and we look forward to sharing updates with you as our journey continues.
Looking ahead – 2026 and beyond:
As we enter a new year, we do so with optimism. The past year has highlighted our resilience, creativity, and shared purpose. We’re moving forward with clear goals: strengthening relationships, expanding our capabilities, and delivering industry-leading excellence in auto locksmithing – setting new standards and equipping our customers with the latest products to help them succeed.