LockRite Locksmiths is celebrating its 18th year in the locksmith industry, having built a huge client base and an excellent reputation as the UK’s biggest and best-known locksmith brand. Their story has always been underpinned by constant evolution – and the next step in that journey is here.
In a sector of the locksmith industry long regarded as extremely technical, capital-intensive and tough to break into, LockRite Locksmiths aims to make becoming an auto locksmith simpler, faster and more profitable, with its dedicated vehicle locksmith franchise package: LockRite Auto.
LockRite Auto is designed to give newcomers a “turnkey” route into the auto locksmith niche that has historically kept many would-be locksmiths out, requiring years of hands-on learning, costly equipment and complex supplier relationships. LockRite Auto is the only auto locksmith franchise opportunity available in the UK, underscoring this unique opportunity to enter a specialised and lucrative market. The franchise model enables new operators to offer a full range of mobile auto locksmith services, from vehicle entry and car key programming, to remote key fob repair, spares and car key replacement.
Having already launched nine Auto locksmiths under the LockRite Auto brand, the network is rapidly expanding and more franchisees are preparing to come on board. Among the early success stories are Bob Reid and Brandon Robinson. Bob is LockRite’s auto locksmith in Swansea, a former programmer who had no prior locksmith experience.
Benefitting from the extensive training delivered in partnership with the UK’s leading auto locks training provider, he quickly transitioned into the auto locksmith trade. From the very beginning, Bob recognised the importance of a proactive, methodical and hardworking approach, which helped him to build strong relationships within his community, connecting with local garages, dealerships and fleets within his first few months of trading. This approach has allowed him to develop a reliable network of clients in just a few months.
Brandon, a former deck hand and gas engineer, quickly adapted to the technical and practical demands of auto locksmithing. His ability to work well under pressure and his strong customer service skills enabled him to quickly establish trust with clients. The credibility of the LockRite brand and his personable approach helped secure repeat car key work at a number of local garages within his first month.
A Growing Market with High Technical Barriers
Locksmithing in the UK has been resilient and steadily expanding, giving would-be entrants confidence that demand is not only reliable but growing. Within that broader category, vehicle security and key programming have become standout growth areas, as modern cars increasingly rely on immobilisers, transponders and complex electronic systems.
Auto locksmithing has never been an easy trade to join however. Compared with traditional domestic work, vehicle work typically demands specialised training in diagnostics and key coding, plus ongoing investment in software, programmers and tools that keep pace with rapidly changing OEM security protocols. Prospects often find themselves trying to piece together multiple short courses – ranging from one-day entry modules, to multi-day or even diploma-level programmes, to reach job-ready competence. That patchwork has historically required time, money and a clear path to customers – three hurdles that have discouraged many capable individuals from switching careers.
Training costs alone can be enough to dissuade many people. Representative figures from UK training providers show locksmith courses priced in the many hundreds to thousands of pounds, with comprehensive programmes and add-ons escalating the total. Of course, hands-on practice, tooling and real-world call-outs, remain essential before a newcomer can start to confidently tackle immobiliser faults or lost-key scenarios at the roadside for example.
What makes LockRite Auto Unique?
LockRite Auto is the ONLY UK franchise package which bundles those many disparate steps into a single, supported pathway that covers training, tooling, marketing and work-provision under the protective umbrella of a national brand. Since 2007, LockRite has grown a highly-successful van-based business model, meaning no premises are required, keeping overheads low and aligning perfectly with mobile auto locksmith work.
For new franchisees, the unique benefits are numerous:
- A “turn-key” startup package that greatly reduces the normally steep learning curve.
- An exclusive initial training course from the UK’s premier Auto Locks specialist.
- 24-hour technical backup, both directly from highly experienced support staff and also via online groups of their peers.
- Centrally generated customer demand, using LockRite’s dominant internet presence, Google Ad campaigns and repeat business from corporate clients.
- Additional ongoing “Master class” training, to build specific skills and widen vehicle brand coverage.
- Exclusive discounts on stock and tools from LockRite’s trade partner.
LockRite Locksmiths formed an exclusive partnership in 2023 with the UK’s largest Auto Locks specialist and together, can deliver a bespoke & intensive training course, which is markedly longer than other courses and one aimed at taking candidates with no prior locksmithing experience to operational readiness. Decades of trade and working experience are distilled into a structured curriculum with focused hands-on tuition and backed by standardised processes and tech support once on the road.
Combined with the LockRite brand’s marketing and call-handling infrastructure, the package is designed to remove two of the most daunting unknowns for independents: where the next job is coming from, and how to price and deliver the service consistently.
“Timing is everything!”
The timing of LockRite Auto’s launch has been carefully calculated, as clear industry indicators prove a steadily increasing demand in the marketplace:
- More vehicles on the road with sophisticated security
- Persistent replacement and duplication needs.
- A growing complexity of key programming that reduces DIY alternatives.
- Few professional & experienced Auto locksmiths to satisfy this demand.
As chip-based systems proliferate and remote diagnostics become standard, the capability gap between general locksmithing and automotive locksmith work is growing wider, day-by-day, creating a huge demand for Auto locksmiths who can respond quickly and effectively at the roadside.
The franchise business model has matured in the UK but only the LockRite Auto franchise focuses squarely on the vehicle locks market. LockRite’s Auto package is now uniquely positioned in the market and for potential new franchisees, which translates into early-mover advantages in territory selection and brand association with auto services.
Lowering the Hurdles, Raising the Standards
Despite the many “ready-made” advantages of joining the LockRite brand, Auto locksmithing still demands methodical troubleshooting, careful handling of customers’ vehicles and adherence to security best practices. But by standardising equipment, training and operating procedures and by providing the marketing engine and job booking pipeline, LockRite Auto aims to make entry less about trial-and-error and more about following a proven playbook.
As vehicle technology has evolved, this has made entering the trade progressively more difficult, so the LockRite Auto unique advantage is clear:
A single, branded route into a high-skill niche that has kept many at arm’s length – until now!