A famous old radio commentator always started his program by saying, "There's good news tonight." Well, there’s plenty of good news in the locksmith industry as evidenced by the meetings recently concluded at the Security Hardware Distributors Association (SHDA) convention in Texas.
Locksmith Ledger visited 40 different manufacturers during the three-day event. Each manufacturer meeting was scheduled for 25 minutes which provided enough time to discover what new products were being offered and to learn about the features of each one.
One unmistakable trend is the movement towards electronic security. Out of 40 visits, 25 of the attending manufacturers featured either electronics accessories or electronic locking systems.
In alphabetical order, Alarm Lock featured their 2700LD products, a lockdown system for schools. Allegion proclaimed "Keyless is the Future." Their new Schlage E375 electronic deadbolt is not equipped with an emergency backup cylinder. Amsec discussed their complete line of proprietary electronic safe locks. Assa Abloy stressed power savings which are available in their product lines. Highly efficient power supplies and low power consumption electric strikes headed the list.
Camden demonstrated their new electric strikes and illuminated push buttons for access control systems. Codelocks has a new line of battery-operated locksets plus a line of electronic cabinet locks which can be monitored by cell phone. Command Access has a line of electrified, low energy mortise and knob locks. Command Access also specializes in fitting other lock brands with their low power consumption system.
Kaba-Ilco introduced 4-in-1 key blanks. A programming tool adjusts the multi-use transponder according to the year of the vehicle. Keyline introduced their new glass transponders and cloning programmer which can clone megamos-equipped vehicles. Kidde had impulse items including a standalone camera which can send video to a cell phone. Lockey introduced a new line of electronic cabinet locks. Master Lock showed their new line of keyless padlocks which are operated with a cell phone.
Mul-T-Lock introduced new products including a new deadbolt plus a front door lockset and both types are operated by smart cards. Select has a new power hinge snap-in module. Stanley introduced their economical "Shelter" electronic lockdown system for schools. Strattec showed a line of Ford fobs which can operate the latest Ford pushbutton start vehicles. Yale will have a new cloud based deadbolt system. A phone app provides users with a "twist & Go" system.
Mechanical items were not forgotten. ABUS announced a new High Security key system which is patented through 2034. Assa will also have a newly patented key system. Gardall safes offered a line of Made in USA safes. Jet Hardware showed a new line of cycle blanks. Marks USA discussed a Life Saver program for schools. Sargent has a mechanical system for locking down school doors from the inside.
These are just some of the SHDA product highlights. Products you will soon find at your local distributor and read about in Locksmith Ledger.
