
Change is coming to the locksmith distribution business. The question is how much?
Banner Solutions reaffirmed its commitment to continue the training programs popularized by H.L. Flake after the two companies are merged. The acquisition of Flake by Banner Solutions was announced in early April 2021.
Flake has sponsored and conducted dozens of training sessions each year and operates an annual trade show. This year’s version, scheduled for Saturday, April 10, will be held virtually because of the COVID-19 pandemic, as was 2020’s show.
“While it would be disingenuous to say that nothing will change, we will be maintaining the programs and training that H.L. Flake has delivered to the market for the foreseeable future,” says Ben Smith, vice president and general manager of eCommerce for Banner Solutions. He adds that Flake’s programs generate goodwill in the industry, and the Flake slogan of being there “for the locksmith” resonates.
“We will continue to carry the brand equity of ‘the locksmith destination,’ and our services will support that in much the same way H.L. Flake has up to now,” he says.
How that will manifest itself as far as the distribution of products remains in question. Although nothing has been decided, Smith suggests that change could be coming to current operations. Banner Solutions operates 10 distributions centers nationwide, including Portland, Oregon, where H.E. Mitchell, part of the Flake acquisition, operates.
“We’re constantly evaluating the best structure to ensure the most efficient coverage for our customers,” Smith says. “We’ll continue to do this type of evaluation, and while I have no specific idea how our network will change over time, I can tell you that it will continue to evolve.”
The merger is expected to be complete by the end of 2021, and when it is, the Flake, Mitchell and McDonald Dash names will disappear. International Key Supply, which wasn’t part of the deal, will be an independent company.
Will Christensen | Senior Editor
Will Christensen is senior editor at Locksmith Ledger International. He has been an editor and reporter at magazines and newspapers for more than 30 years.