How Van Secure and Van Guard are working together to raise the bar in van security – with solutions built for the trade, by the trade.
Van Secure, based in Sevenoaks, is a specialist in van security systems for both individual tradespeople and large national fleets. Their expertise spans mechanical installations like hook deadlocks and door shields, and although they are capable of fitting advanced electrical systems, their true focus lies in mechanical security — where they believe the most meaningful protection for tradespeople is found.
What sets VanSecure apart isn’t just their technical know-how — it’s the way they operate. From the start, the business has built a strong reputation on tailored service, high-quality installations, and long-term supplier relationships that enable continuous improvement. One of the most valuable of these relationships is with Van Guard, a fellow UK-based company whose product range and engineering mindset align closely with VanSecure’s own.
VanSecure was officially founded in 2017, but its roots go much deeper. The Assender family has been in the locksmithing trade for three generations — starting when Ben Assender’s grandfather cut keys for bikes. The family business evolved under Ben’s father into a successful commercial and domestic locksmith and mail-order key company.
Ben’s brother continues in that line today, while Ben himself setup alongside the family business; venturing into auto locksmithing in 2009, and eventually leading to the formation of Van Secure with his wife Jemma.
Today, the company is run by Ben and Jemma, with a close-knit team of eight. That includes four experienced engineers on the road, a fabricator in their CNC-equipped workshop, and an Operations Coordinator who ensures scheduling runs smoothly and equipment reaches the right place at the right time.
While the company’s leadership brings valuable engineering and systems experience, VanSecure’s success is firmly rooted in a team approach and shared values — with an ethos of continual improvement, collaboration, and integrity running through the business. That applies not just internally, but in how VanSecure chooses who to work with externally, too.
Supplier success story
VanSecure’s relationship with Van Guard is an example of how a close partnership can raise standards across the board. As Ben puts it, this isn’t just about getting stock on time — it’s about working with a manufacturer that listens to real-world feedback, understands the pressures of the trade, and is open to product evolution.
“We’ve worked with suppliers in the past where one out of every two jobs would go wrong — wrong item, late delivery, incorrect components,” says Ben. “That might sound minor, but the knock-on effects are massive. You lose time, miss jobs, waste fuel, and most of the time have to go back to finish work. It reflects badly on us, and damages customer relationships.”
That’s why VanSecure has taken a selective approach with suppliers — and why their partnership with Van Guard has grown over the years. Together, they’ve built a process of open communication and continuous refinement. The result is a collaborative working style where both companies learn from one another and actively pursue better outcomes for the trade.
Strength in products
One of the best examples of the VanSecure–Van Guard partnership is the Stronghold Range — a purpose-designed mechanical security kit developed by Van Secure, using Van Guard Ulti Lock hook locks as the foundation.
Unlike standard “off-the-shelf” lock installs, the Stronghold Range was created in direct response to evolving attack methods seen on the road. Thieves today are using aggressive tactics such as crowbars, grinders, and targeted cuts around lock cylinders — rendering many traditional installs vulnerable.
The VanSecure Stronghold Range addresses these weaknesses head-on with:
- Structural reinforcement to resist prying and crowbar attacks
- External cylinder shielding to protect against cylinder cutting and snapping
- Building on the already excellent Van Guard locks, trusted for their mechanical reliability
This isn’t just a bracket and a bolt — it’s a fully engineered upgrade kit that is already proving popular with other fitters in the trade. Built by engineers, for engineers, it gives installers additional options for their customers, that genuinely improve a van’s resistance to attack, rather than just ticking a security box.
Trade platform launch
To make the Stronghold Range available to other professionals, Van Secure has launched a new trade-only platform: trade.vansecure.co.uk
This platform is designed specifically for trade installers and offers:
- The full Stronghold Range, including reinforcement kits and Van Guard lock kits
- A bespoke shield design service to tackle extreme attack damage
- A range of rescue tools and components to recover from fitting errors
The goal is simple: help others in the trade deliver better security, with tools and designs informed by real-world fitting experience.
Mechanical first and foremost
While VanSecure does offer direct to consumer fitting services, they are also keen to help others within the trade keep up with the extreme attack methods out there, and ultimately stay one step ahead of tool thieves.
“Mechanical security is our priority,” Ben says. “It’s where we place most of our effort and where we believe we deliver the most value to the trade.”
Their mechanical-first focus includes:
- Sold Secure Automotive Gold-rated hook locks, installed with precise, vehicle-specific fitment
- VanSecure-manufactured external door shields, tailored to customer visibility and preference
- Reinforced lock design, engineered for durability and real-world resilience
It’s this emphasis on proper fitment, durable hardware, and engineering-led thinking that makes VanSecure’s products stand out — and help tradespeople stay protected against the most common and costly attacks.
Holding the line on quality
In a competitive market, it can be tempting to cut corners. But VanSecure remains unapologetically focused on value.
“There are people undercutting to win work,” Ben explains. “But if you’re charging a fair rate, you’ve got to deliver a fair result. That means showing up with the right product, fitting it properly, and walking away with a customer who’s confident their van is protected.”
That mindset is mirrored in how they select suppliers: they work only with those who meet the same high standards. That’s why Van Guard remains one of their closest technical partners.
A Shared Commitment to the Trade
“It’s a cliché to talk about partnerships,” says Ben, “but that’s genuinely what this is. With Van Guard, we’re working toward the same goal — better outcomes for the trade, through better products and better installs.”
The two companies share more than just products. They share a commitment to improvement, a respect for the trade, and a belief that collaboration leads to better engineering and better service. And that, ultimately, benefits everyone — from the national fleet to the one-man band.
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