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The two businesses were
merged in the late 80’s due to
difficult trading conditions,
with management and
administration areas being
streamlined. This assisted
the business to survive and
it then went on to further
grow, opening two additional
branches in the early 90’s.
In 1995, the company had
made significant ground
to enable it to acquire a
competitor; totalling seven
branches throughout the
South West of England. The
business then purchased a
paint business in Cardiff and
Bristol, taking the company
to offer services to other
local areas. At this time, the
company employed over 100
staff.
Looking for areas of
diversification, Hickleys
decided to set up a totally
new division offering a
range of products to the care
home industry. A significant
move from its original
roots - however, one which
the business felt it needed
to venture into to remain
true to its strategic plans of
diversification.
‘Offering what it
believes to be the
best range of key
cutting packages
and automotive
key replacement
products on
the market’
With more rapid
advancements within vehicle
manufacture, Hickleys
had to continuously invest
in equipment, staff and
training and the 2000’s
saw the development of
its Diagnostics division, a
now nationally recognised
addition to the business.
Alongside the new division,
the company took on a
range of analysing testers
for; engines, exhausts and
air-conditioning and also keycoding equipment.
In 2008, the business took
the decision to move out of
the refinish market and sold
‘Hinkley Valtone’, leaving all
the other divisions to trade
under the new company name
of ‘Hickleys’, from two of the
more established sites in
Taunton and Bridgewater.
Today, even without the
refinish division, the company
employs over 60 staff and
has an annual turnover of
£7million. Offering, what it
believes to be the best range
of key cutting packages and
automotive key replacement
products on the market,
Hickleys is, as always more
than just a distributor.
Its passion to develop and
grow innovation within the
business as led it to introduce
a range of additional services
including, the newly launched
- ‘24hour Unlimited Use’
Zed-FULL credits package, a
fully kitted out training centre
– giving ongoing customer
training, ‘Key to Success’
national evening roadshows
– to give new start up and
existing businesses an insight
into how they can get into the
Auto-locksmith industry.
Robin saw the MLA show
as an opportunity to meet
customers on an informal and
enjoyable platform, where his
technically trained staff were
able to give advice, guidance
and support to help customers
make the right choices on the
latest automotive products
and services available, again
showing how its years of
history allow it to shine over
and above its competitors.
This year’s EXPO coincided with the 180th
anniversary of Chubbsafes and visitors were
extremely interested in the many products being
exhibited including the Chubbsafes Zeta and
Elements ranges.
Our Sales Team were delighted that our
“Special Attraction” the Chubbsafes Luxury Safe
proved to be a great crowd puller over the
three day event.
The EXPO also provided us with the ideal platform
to showcase our new Chubbsafes Primus range
of safes – combined burglary (Grade 1) and fire
protection.
Many visitors to the stand took advantage of our
MLA show offers and also participated in one or
both of our prize draws, the 1st lucky winner walking
away with an iPad mini and the 2nd with a Fujifilm
digital camera and a new Chubbsafes Primus 25E.
www.gunnebo.co.uk
locksmithjournal.co.uk | NOV/DEC 2015
Sponsored by ABUS
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Thank you for taking the time to visit our
stand and for your continued support and
positive comments, making our attendance
at the 2015 MLA EXPO a great success.