Locks and Security News: your weekly locks and security industry newsletter
17th April 2024 Issue no. 701

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Tradelocks now available from Citysafe

In a move likely to surprise many in the Industry, UAP and Citysafe have signed a deal for Citysafe to distribute Tradelocks products. 

It has been 15 months since Tradelocks entered the Locksmith market, offering high quality locksmith tools and accessories but at very competitive prices. David Jennings, MD of UAP explains, "We spotted a niche in the market for high quality products at low prices, and we have worked hard over the past 15 months to grow the brand. We are now proud to have over 1,800 locksmiths registered on our Tradelocks website, and have two very active technical forums. We admit that when we first entered the market people were sceptical of us, and wondered whether we were fly-by-nights. But we knew we were in this market for the long haul, and we have invested in our brand accordingly. 

"Tradelocks is not a company or a division, it is a brand owned by UAP. It just so happens it is a very successful brand that is growing day by day. But we know that in order to grow we have to establish trading alliances, and we are proud to be associated with Citysafe. We know Citysafe have a long history in this market, and they serve a market sector not touched by ourselves, but they also have loyal customers. Our agreement now means that those customers can enjoy superb Tradelocks products at the same low prices as all Tradelocks own direct customers. It is a great deal for Tradelocks, for Citysafe, and for all our customers."

In a recent interview, Managing Director of Citysafe Matthew Dumsday described how Citysafe has gone from strength to strength since it was first established. 

"In 1984 Michael Chantler and his brother John started a locksmith business which quickly became very successful. So successful in fact that after just two years they decided to branch out into wholesaling and Citysafe was born.

"Some 24 years later and Citysafe has become one of the largest security wholesalers in the UK and Ireland. The company now distributes a wide range of products including lock cases, cylinders, padlocks, key blanks and various other security and architectural products to its customer base of over 2000 accounts. 

"Following its acquisition by the family owned Nauta Group in 2009; Citysafe is now part of one of the largest distributors of security and hardware products in Europe. For many years now Citysafe has been proud to supply leading brand names to its customers, and through the efforts of its employees, and with the ongoing support of its customers and suppliers, will continue to do so for many more years to come.  

"The company has never forgotten its origins and locksmiths still account for over 80% of the Citysafe customers' base. However, architectural ironmongers, builders' merchants and hardware shops are now also valuable customers."

This is why a deal with Tradelocks made perfect sense. The Tradelocks brand will now be marketed as being available from both Citysafe and Tradelocks direct, and both companies can benefit from the spin off sponsorship Tradelocks has of the Locksmith Exhibition in Nottingham in March 2011 and the MLA Exhibition in September 2011. 

David Jennings concludes: "It is great that Citysafe see Tradelocks as a brand that can work in harmony with them and is not seen as a competitor. I believe that this deal will strengthen both companies for both the short and the long term."

Picture shows: David Jennings of UAP (left), and Matthew Dumsday of Citysafe (right)

Call Tradelocks on 0161 763 5290 or email [email protected]

Call Citysafe on 023 8081 4181 or email [email protected]

1st December 2010