We interviewed Gary Millar of GDM AutoKeys on taking over the business Fife Auto Keys to form GDM AutoKeys. Mastering diagnostics and understanding cars, not just keys, helped give him a head start in the auto locksmithing trade.
Gary Millar’s route into the trade came with oil already under his fingernails, years of diagnostics experience, and a mindset shaped by the realities of running a busy vehicle workshop. That background is now the foundation of what makes his business, GDM AutoKeys, stand out in an increasingly crowded market.
A Natural Transition from Spanners to Transponders
I was working as a vehicle technician before all this, running workshops and dealing with customers day in, day out. That’s where I first met Alan Morrison, who owned Fife Auto Keys before me. We got chatting, and when he mentioned he’d be retiring at some point, I remember thinking straight away, that’s the job for me!
True to his word, Alan gave me first refusal. He called me in January 2024 and said he’d be finishing up at the end of May. By May 31st, I’d taken over everything – the phone number, the van, the stock, the lot.
For me, it was about more than just a career change. I wanted to be my own boss. I wanted to make my own decisions and build something for myself.
The Reality of Going Solo
Everyone tells you how great it is working for yourself, and it is, but there’s a side to it people don’t always talk about. Cutting keys is the easy part. It’s everything else that hits you.
The invoicing, the paperwork, managing suppliers; it’s all a steep learning curve. In the garage, you’re focused on the job in front of you. Suddenly, you’re running a full business on your own.
I did a two-week course with Hickleys and backed that up with online training, which gave me a solid base. But nothing really prepares you for the day-to-day reality until you’re in it. At the start, it felt overwhelming. But you adapt quickly because you have to.
Mechanical Knowledge: The Real USP
What sets Gary apart isn’t just his ability to cut and program keys, it’s his ability to understand the vehicle as a complete system. A lot of the time, the key isn’t actually the problem, and that’s where my background gives me an advantage.
I’ve had jobs where customers assume it’s a key issue, but it’s something deeper; an electrical fault, a module issue, or something mechanical. Because I’ve worked as a technician, I can diagnose that properly and point them in the right direction.
On the training course, there were people who didn’t even know how to plug in a diagnostic machine. That’s not a criticism; it just shows the difference in starting points. For me, that experience meant I had a real head start. It’s not just about solving the job, it’s about solving the right problem.
Building Confidence & Support Networks
Taking over an established business helped ease the transition, but it didn’t remove the challenges. Knowing Alan beforehand gave me confidence. He’s still been there in the background if I’ve needed advice, especially early on.
The industry itself has been supportive too. WhatsApp groups, other locksmiths, I find that people are generally willing to help if you ask. You find your feet quicker when you’ve got that kind of network around you. Over time, the need to ask questions drops off, and the phone calls (to Alan) for help get less and less (which he’s pleased about so he can enjoy his retirement).
Supply Chains & Trust
One of the unexpected challenges was figuring out who to trust when it comes to suppliers. You’re trying to find the best prices, reliable stock, and quick delivery – all while learning the business. It takes time to narrow that down, you try different suppliers, see who delivers on time, who’s consistent, and who you can rely on when you need something urgently. That’s a big part of running smoothly day to day.
Marketing: A Whole New Challenge
If the operational side was one learning curve, marketing was another entirely. Google Ads is a minefield. You can spend money very quickly without seeing results if you don’t know what you’re doing.
I launched a new website for GDM and looked into ads, Google was recommending £40 a day. I’ve scaled it back to around £20 a day for now, just to test and learn. I’ve also worked with The Directory Guys to improve my Google presence, especially getting properly set up on Google My Business and Google Maps.
The bigger challenge has been transitioning from the old business name to GDM AutoKeys. Fife Autokeys had an established local presence, but I wanted something that could grow beyond that and feel more national.
That takes time. You’re effectively rebuilding your online identity while still running the business day to day.
The Nature of the Work
One thing that surprised me was how different the customer base is compared to working in a garage. In the garage, you see the same people year after year for regular servicing and repeat business. In this line of work, it’s completely different, there are so many people losing keys every single day. It’s constant. People lock keys in boots while shopping, lose them out walking, it’s unpredictable.
One job that sticks with me was rescuing a woman who’d lost her keys in a field about an hour away. She had two dogs with her and was completely stuck. I managed to get her sorted, and she left a really nice review afterward. Those are the jobs that stay with you.
Tackling Modern Vehicles
Like everyone in the trade, Gary is adapting to the increasing complexity of modern vehicles.
BMWs have been a challenge. I’ve invested in new equipment and started doing more of them, including Minis. You’re dealing with modules like FEM units, taking them out and working on the bench. There’s no room for error, if you damage something like that, it’s expensive.
It’s a different level of work compared to basic key cutting, but it’s where the industry is heading. Electric vehicles are becoming more common too, Nissan, Hyundai, models like the Ioniq. You have to keep up with that side of things.
Pricing Pressures & Industry Concerns
The rise of national firms advertising across the UK is something Gary has noticed. These companies can charge what they like. They’ve got massive marketing budgets and dominate search results. It makes it harder for independent locksmiths to compete on visibility, even if the service is better. That ties into a bigger concern about the industry.
Locksmithing needs regulating. At the moment, anyone can go on a course and start advertising straight away, and that’s worrying.
With systems like SERMI coming in, there’s hope that things will tighten up a bit and bring more structure and credibility to the trade.
Looking Ahead
Right now, the focus is on stability and growth. The first couple of years are about getting your head around running the business properly.
Longer term, I might look at adding another van, but it’s still early days. I want to make sure everything is running smoothly before expanding. There’s also ongoing work with local body shops and garages, which provides a steady stream of jobs alongside the general public work.
www.gdmautokeys.com
07726 012 000
gary@gdmautokeys.co.uk
More info
GDM AutoKeys provides professional, friendly, and reliable auto locksmith services across Central Scotland. Founded by Gary Millar after taking over an established business in 2024, the company combines advanced key cutting and programming with in-depth mechanical diagnostics. This unique blend of skills allows GDM AutoKeys to go beyond standard locksmith services, accurately identifying underlying vehicle issues and delivering effective solutions.