ABUS and 1st Call Lock and Key Shop (LKS) are celebrating a partnership that has endured over a decade, centring on sustained collaboration, technical development, and mutual standards within the security and construction industry.
Founded in 2004, LKS has significantly expanded its footprint in the sector over the last 20 years. Since the direct collaboration with ABUS began in 2014, the company has underscored the importance of product expertise, comprehensive training, and consistently applying technical proficiency across its workforce.
Key product ranges
The most recent phase of the partnership saw LKS team members engage in specialised pinning training and detailed instruction on the ABUS 83 series. This initiative is designed to enhance hands-on skills and deepen understanding of vital product lines.
The training programme encompasses participants from various roles within the company, including technical, managerial, administrative, and trainee positions, such as LKS's first female benching apprentice. This inclusive approach not only encourages knowledge sharing but also ensures uniformity in standards across the business.
Fire door installations
Joshua Kambo, Managing Director of Lock and Key Shop, stated, “Our partnership with ABUS UK is built on shared values of technical excellence, product integrity, and consistent service delivery.”
He emphasised the importance of working with reliable manufacturers, stating that ABUS provides “World-leading products backed by deep technical knowledge,” ensuring LKS can confidently specify and deliver compliant solutions for its projects. This collaboration not only facilitates the company’s growth within the industry but also enhances the diversity and capability of its workforce.
Empowering talent and inclusion
The participation of trainee bench-locksmith Serena highlights the rising inclusion of women in the trade
The participation of trainee bench-locksmith Serena highlights the rising inclusion of women in the trade, aligning with broader efforts by both organisations to foster a more accessible industry. Offering opportunities for emerging talent to learn from seasoned professionals, the partnership helps cultivate a diverse and sustainable skills pipeline, promoting knowledge exchange across different levels of experience.
Serena Killeen, LKS Bench Locksmithing Trainee, shared her thoughts: “I enjoy developing my skills in the master keying department at LKS and learning more about the industry each day. Working with partners like ABUS allows me to gain hands-on experience and build my confidence.” She encourages more women to explore a practical and fulfilling career in this field, reinforcing the supportive environment she experiences.
Maintaining high standards
The collaboration combines varied perspectives and expertise. In a field driven by advancing technologies and shifting customer demands, continuous training is crucial for upholding technical standards and ensuring teams maintain consistent knowledge and practice.
Colston Hendy, Technical Sales Manager at ABUS, asserted, “Our long-term partnership with Lock and Key Shop is built on a shared understanding and a consistent approach to collaboration.” He noted the importance of high technical standards and the support this relationship provides for the development of LKS’s team, affirming that diversity and inclusion are vital for innovation and sustained progress in the industry.
ABUS and 1st Call Lock and Key Shop (LKS) are celebrating over a decade’s partnership, reflecting a professional relationship built on continuity, technical development and shared standards within the security and construction sector.
Established in 2004, LKS has expanded its presence in the industry over the past 20 years. Since beginning its direct partnership with ABUS in 2014, the business has placed a strong emphasis on product knowledge, structured training and the consistent application of technical expertise across its team.
Key product ranges
As part of the latest phase, LKS team members participated in dedicated pinning training, alongside in-depth instruction on the ABUS 83 series, helping to strengthen both hands-on capability and familiarity with key product ranges.
The training programme includes participation from across LKS, with attendees representing technical, managerial, administrative, and trainee roles, including the first female benching apprentice. This cross-team involvement supports knowledge sharing and helps ensure consistent standards throughout the business.
Fire door installations
Says Joshua Kambo, Managing Director of Lock and Key Shop: “Our partnership with ABUS UK is built on shared values of technical excellence, product integrity and consistent service delivery. As a business specialising in security products, ironmongery and fire door installations, it is critical we work with manufacturers we can trust. Abus provides world-leading products backed by deep technical knowledge, which allows us to confidently specify and deliver fully compliant solutions across all our projects. This relationship not only supports our continued growth within the industry but also strengthens the diversity and capability of our team.”
The involvement of trainee bench-locksmith Serena highlights the increasing participation of women in the trade and reflects broader efforts by both organisations to support a more inclusive and accessible industry. By creating opportunities for new talent to learn alongside experienced professionals, the partnership helps build a more diverse and sustainable skills pipeline, while also encouraging the sharing of knowledge across different experience levels.
Changing customer requirements
Serena Killeen, LKS Bench Locksmithing Trainee added: “I enjoy developing my skills in the master keying department at LKS, as a trainee in this industry and learning more about the industry each day, whilst representing the contribution we can make. Working with partners like ABUS allows me to gain hands-on experience and continues to build my confidence. It helps to feel supported and treated equally, and I would encourage more women to consider a practical and rewarding career path.”
This approach brings together a range of perspectives and expertise across the partnership. In an industry shaped by evolving technologies and changing customer requirements, ongoing training plays a key role in maintaining technical standards and ensuring teams remain aligned in both knowledge and practice.
High technical standards
Colston Hendy, Technical Sales Manager at ABUS concluded: “Our long-term partnership with Lock and Key Shop is built on a shared understanding and a consistent approach to collaboration.”
“This allows us to maintain high technical standards while supporting the continued development of their team. It is also encouraging to see new talent, including Serena, progressing within our industry, as diversity and inclusion are essential to innovation and long-term progress.”
