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.
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 program 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.
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 organizations 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.
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.
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.”