What Van? Awards 2021: Aftermarket Accessories Award – Locks 4 Vans

Date: Wednesday, March 24, 2021

Theft of and from LCVs remains a perennial problem – and owners need to do all they can to protect themselves from criminals. 

Among other things, that means better physical security for their vehicles, and that is something Locks 4 Vans can without doubt provide. The quality of its products makes it more than worthy of our Aftermarket Accessories Award for 2021, and its ability to support them can only be praised.

With an astonishing 70% share of the van aftermarket security solutions sector, and through manufacturing and installing vehicle and door-specific kits, Locks for Vans offers an unrivalled line-up of 7,000-plus locking and shielding products and components.

The home delivery explosion triggered by the coronavirus outbreak has sparked a highly undesirable trend: thefts from vans dropping off goods to householders. In response, Locks 4 Vans has sold over 5,000 slamlocks for installation on home delivery vehicles.

Parcels giants DPD and DHL are using the company’s products to help protect their fleets. So is major league food distributor BFS Group. 

What is more, they were used to secure vehicles carrying gas canisters and ventilators to NHS hospitals during the first wave of the pandemic. The Locks 4 Vans team quickly mobilised in order to satisfy this requirement, with a lead time of just 24 hours.

Having invested £2.5m in 2020 to extend its capability further, the business is clearly not content to rest on its laurels. At its heart is a highly specialised group of technical engineers who anticipate vehicle vulnerabilities and devise solutions to mitigate the impact of an attack.

Despite the pandemic, Locks 4 Van has continued to release 10 new products a month on average.

Says a company spokesman: “Our investment in research and development drives innovation for the whole aftermarket locking industry.  

“We are the only aftermarket locking supplier that designs, tests and manufactures to automotive standards,” he contends. “Van owners benefit hugely from this as our solutions remove 60% less metal from doors and vehicle bodywork than the architectural locks supplied by many of our competitors, which ultimately means that vans are more secure.”

Contact Locks 4 Vans and a member of its customer service team will offer tailored advice that’s centred around the van and the work it is involved in. Whatever is needed can be delivered the next day.

With a turnover that has risen by 15% year-on-year over the past three years, Locks 4 Vans operates a nationwide installation service. Its technical team stands ready to assist businesses that have specialised requirements.

With an eye to the future, it is widening its links with van manufacturers – it is already solving many of the challenges the electric vehicle market poses – and wants to increase exports. 

“It’s an exciting time for us,” says chief executive officer Chris Batterbee. “Our research and development expansion combined with key appointments to the management team are driving us forwards so we can continue to surpass the expectations of our customers.

“With one van broken into every 23 minutes our mission has always been to stay one step ahead, and our pace of innovation will deliver exactly that,” he adds. 

“Our loyal customers trust our reputation and our products,” he concludes. “And with 90% of our turnover generated by repeat business, we must be doing something right.”

Highly Commended: Rhino Products

Intelligent businesses constantly improve what they have to offer. That is what Rhino Products has been doing, and it is an approach What Van? highly commends.

It is well-known for its pipe tubes, which provide a safe and easy way of transporting piping, including copper piping, on the roof of a van. The most recent arrival in a well-established line-up is the PipeTube Pro.

Rhino has added an optional full-length PVC lining to its tube to stop the galvanic reaction that can otherwise take place, discolouring the pipes stored inside. An upgraded locking system has been fitted and a new rubber O-ring seal helps to prevent water ingress. It also works with the PVC lining to reduce the oxidation process that can cause a chemical reaction with aluminium, leaving a residue in the tube. 

A new powder-coated exterior finish has been designed to work with all van colours.



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