United States Commerce Association Award

Press Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Master Key Systems America, LLC Receives 2011 St. Louis Award

NEW YORK, NY, November 2, 2011 -- Master Key Systems America, LLC has been selected for the 2011 St. Louis Award in the Locksmiths & Keys category by the U.S. Commerce Association (USCA).

The USCA "Best of Local Business" Award Program recognizes outstanding local businesses throughout the country. Each year, the USCA identifies companies that they believe have achieved exceptional marketing success in their local community and business category. These are local companies that enhance the positive image of small business through service to their customers and community.

This is the first year that a business has qualified as a Four-Time Award Winner. Various sources of information were gathered and analyzed to choose the winners in each category. The 2011 USCA Award Program focuses on quality, not quantity. Winners are determined based on the information gathered both internally by the USCA and data provided by third parties.

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Quirk Of Nature - The Answer Is Tin Foil...

I read with interest about a locksmith in another city who a few years ago did a job for a lady who had contacted him 5 years earlier.

Originally he had hosted a visit in his shop from a lady who was convinced someone was trying to kill her by sending X-Ray's through her walls....

"Without missing a beat, I told her in my most professional and serious voice, that the only way to avoid this was by putting tin foil on all the walls and ceiling. This seemed to calm her down and more importantly got her out of my shop. Fast forward 5 years. I get a call to change a cylinder due to lost keys that was out of our service area. I explain that we cannot be competitive in price and tried to turn the job down. No, they'll pay to have us go because they like our work. I send a tech up to the job. 2 hours later the tech returns and he looks like he's about to bust from laughter. You guessed it! This was the lady I told to put tin foil on her apt. walls! She did it and the WHOLE apt. was lined with TIN FOIL. She explained to the tech that I was the only one who took her seriously and after my suggestion, they weren't able to x-ray her apt!!! She had been living with the tin foil on her walls for 5 years. It gave her peace of mind (isn't this what we do)and got me a customer. We laughed about this for years afterwards."

Quirky consumers are the nature of the game in locksmithing. An intelligent locksmith will provide a solution, no matter how odd.

You never know!

Giobert Keys- Another Serrature Company

The fabulous Serrature Meroni product line, that we proudly bring in to the USA is seeing significant traction in the local market. Discerning buyers are realizing that the Meroni product line are an innovative and aesthetically pleasing and competitively priced, easy to use alternative to other mainstream lock systems.

Serrature also are the major shareholder in another well established Italian company that specialize in the manufacture of locks and keys for the highly specialized Italian car manufacturing sector. Giobert Keys were established in 1953 by Giovanni Bertolino in the city of Turin.

In the 1960's through '70's Giobert Keys manufactured locks and keys for the well known car maker Lancia. They began producing locks and keys for car maker Fiat in the mid '80's.

Many of today's high security keys and locks, found across many car brands are attributed to the research and development of Giobert Keys.

In 1997 they were one of the first auto lock manufacturers to supply RFID programmed keys built into the keyheads.

In the noughties, they developed newer products that found their way into the Fiat 500 production cars and they also developed lock and key products for motorcycle makers too.

The locksmith industry has used Italian made lock and key products for many years because their quality is first class. Companies like Silca, became a locksmith industry stalwart, producing many top quality key machines and key blanks found all over the world.

With Fiat owning a significant portion (majority) of USA car maker Chrysler, expect to find more Serrature made products in local car options.

We find it interesting that some Chrysler dealerships have had their interest peaked by the offerings of Serrature Meroni commercial and residential lock and key products recently too.

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GPS Shoes - Securing Elder Statespeople

This site is about informing readers about products and services that physically protect properties and people. Security products are constantly evolving over time and emerging technologies are allowing some forward thinking companies like GTX Corp to produce an innovative product line aimed at helping to track and secure elder citizens who suffer from age related ailments.

Alzheimers disease is widely known as one of the more common age related disorders affecting many elder people. Alzheimers disease can be a difficult disease to manage. Many children are required to nurse their ailing parents as they age. With aging comes dementia and other related disorders.

A very common issue that occurs with many aging relatives is the affected person being known to wander off. This can create much unanticipated anxiety for carers who want to care for their patients but not restrict their movements. To be able to do this effectively, in the past we have been required to almost "leash" our loved ones to prevent them from wandering off. Some of my customers have asked me to install double cylinder deadbolts to their doors to prevent a disoriented relative from wandering off. I always have to refuse because the installation of double cylinder deadbolts to primary entrance doors is not legal.

Many people find they cannot effectively devote the necessary time to watch their age related disordered relatives and tend to push them into retirement homes and villages, into the care of around the clock carers whose sole duty is to care and protect our loved ones from coming to harm.

GTX Corp have released the GPS Shoe. A real time GPS chip embedded in a running shoe that enables online tracking of the wearer. This is especially helpful to carers because it reduces the need to constantly watch and monitor patients. If a wearer happens to wander off, locating them is simple thanks to GPS technologies. Now, children of age related disorder sufferers can have a smart and efficient tool to help them care for their relatives that is unobtrusive, intelligent and cost effective.

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B-Hook By BuggyGuard

Buggy Guard are a company that specialize in products designed for people who might push a stroller/pram.

Their latest product is this sensational securing carabiner that can attach to your stroller handle to help you secure your pocket book or purse from running away.

An intelligent solution designed to protect your belongings when taking baby out for a stroll.

Hook the carabiner around your handle bars, attach your handbag/pocket book/purse and lock the combination. Your personal stuff will be secure from the smash and grab type of theft or crooks who ply their crimes of opportunity trades.

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Choosing an Electric Strike

Tom Rubenoff is a locksmith and technician with many years experience. he is an author of training manuals and systems. The next article was written by him and published at Hubpages.

Criteria for Electric Strike Choice

The first thing you need to know in order to choose an electric strike is what kind of lock you have. A couple of good clues to help you find out what kind of lock you have are the kind of strike and the size of the lock front. Below are some pictures of strikes and lock fronts and a rim exit device.

HES 5900 Electric Strike Installation

Choices

The top-most illustration shows an "ANSI" strike with a centered keeper. That is hardware-speak for, 'The strike is 4-7/8" high and has the latch hole in the middle." This type of strike usually means you have a cylindrical lock and a hollow metal frame. You can confirm this by comparing the latch front in your door to the second illustration from the top. If it is a cylindrical lock it will most likely match. For this type of application, I would suggest the HES 5000 series electric strike with 501 option faceplate, the Adams Rite 7240 electric strike, the Von Duprin 6211, or the RCI 4114.

The third picture down depicts a mortise lock front and its corresponding strike. Notice how the keeper (hole) is offset toward the bottom of the strike. If you have a mortise lock your choices are much more limiited. For ease of installation I would suggest the Von Duprin 6210, the HES 1006 with K, KD, or KM faceplate option, or the HES 4500.

The next picture down shows a mortise lock with a deadbolt. Your best bet is to change out your mortise lock so it looks like the third picture. Typically storeroom function mortise locks are used with electric strikes.

For a rim exit device on a wood or hollow metal door, the easiest installation is the HES 9600 on a single door. A more durable strike is the Von Duprin 6111 or 6112. Less expensive alternatives include the Adams Rite 74R1 and the RCI 0161.

If the rim device is on an aluminum storefront door, your choices are more limited. You would need a strike with a thinner faceplate such as the Von Duprin 6113 or an Adams Rite 74R2.

The last picture above is a little misleading because it depicts an exit device in a double door installation. For a double door you would need a surface mounted strike such as the Von Duprin 6121.

The video above shows the ease of installation of the HES 5900 electric strike. This can be a real time saver for installations with cylindrical locks on hollow metal doors and frames.

Basic Electric Strike System

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Gloating...I Know....sshhh

Testimonials by neighbors or even others in your town, especially if they are unprompted and genuine, sometimes help another consumer decide to choose that company for service.

Many of the testimonials you might see below are from customers who have used our local services and there are a number from satisfied customers across the world who have also written.

We try to make available different products, previously unavailable elsewhere that are intelligent and suitably priced problem solvers.

You might see some of these testimonials repeated.

Danny was very friendly and knowledgeable, although his apprentice seemed to do most of the work, Danny kept an eye on him to make sure it was done right. He had very reasonable pricing for re-keying.

Greg D (St Louis, MO) October 2011

He was extrememly fabulous and helpful and did a wonderful job. He was very professional.

Shannon M. (Arnold, MO) October 2011

Growing up spending so much of my time in Italy, the uniqueness of the Nova Classico left quite an impression on me. To be able to have and enjoy them in my own home here in the states is a nostalgic indulgence I'm enjoying beyond words. Thank you Danny for coordinating this transaction.

Joseph M (Chicago, IL) September 2011

great job. hired on the spot and he did job right then at great price

Ron B (Arnold, MO) July 2011

I searched the internet and found your services. I received three phone calls within several days. A service call was scheduled. Two gentlemen arrived promptly, analyzed the problem and fixed it.

James & Florenc M Saint Louis, MO July 2011

The repairman was on time and did an excellent job of fixing a very stubborn door lock. He was persistent and cleaned up the work area afterwards. I would use this service again.

Brenda F (Saint Peters, MO) June 2011

Danny at Master Key Systems has succeeded in making the purchasing of our Meroni door locks, from Italy, an absolute breeze. Even though I live in Australia with a 16hr time difference and was ordering door knobs from Italy that weren't in stock, the whole process was faultless. Danny was prompt and efficient with all his emails and made sure we had covered every possible variable so that the product I received was exactly as required. I would have no hesitation in recommending Danny for your next purchase.
Patrick Carr (Canberra, Australia)

Your product really helped because I needed to secure a nurse's station adjacent to a waiting room and needed a pocket door. Unfortunately, no real options were available to lock a pocket door effectively that would keep me compliant with HIPAA and secure an area that stores medical supplies. This was vitally important as this particular waiting room was for "waiting detox patients". Thank you very much.

Randall R The Fritz Clinic (Birmingham, Al) March 2011

Danny was very polite and knew what the problem was and how to fix it. He also gave me some information about other issues that could arise with my door and locks. Will hire again if I ever need that type of work done.

Jason M Imperial, MO March 2011

I had an exterior basement door that dragged when opening and closing. The hinges were not fitting properly and the door frame had shifted, probably due to the age of the house.The screwswould not go far enough into the wall without hitting stone...even using a special drill bit. Dan worked a long time drilling and sanding to shore up the door as best as possible. I know it will never be perfect. He could have easily sold me a new door and the same issue would happen. He was honest, thorough, and did an excellent job without charging me a fortune. I'm satisfied with the door now. If you want an honest, experienced man, Then Dan is the man

Roger M Saint Louis, MO March 2011

I purchased the Cowdroy P697 Pocket door lock with key over the internet. I emailed questions before my purchase and was provided with the answers quickly by return email. The purchase was quick and easy and the lock was shipped immediatly. Installation is quick and easy. But you do need to convert millimeters to inches (use the internet) in the installation instructions. And the lock looks great and works great. I will do business with them again. THANK YOU

Ed D (February, 2011)

We were very please. Didn't take that long and was glad to have this task checked off as done. Danny was great! Professional and knew just what to do

Marshall S (Chesterfield, MO) January 2011

Key Cutting VS Key Originating

American Key Supply are a San Francisco based locksmith supply company who specialize in the supply of automotive key machines, supplies and automotive locksmithing knowledge. They serve the locksmith market primarily. To use any or some of their products you need to be a locksmith or affiliated with an industry organization.

The video above shows just how easy and accurate, duplicating a Schlage standard key is. We note here that the operator is actually originating the duplicate key instead of just copying it, using one of the industries latest and greatest key code machines.

The 3D Pro is fast becoming the industries sought after machine because it includes in it's range both automotive and residential/commercial key types. Instead of the traditional duplicating method, this machine is designed to read the actual depth of a lock's working key and then copy the recorded depths on to a keyblank, effectively creating an exact duplicate of the tendered key.

This method of key origination can help consumers to get exact duplicates of their keys, except that their new keys are in fact cut to factory specifications. This can help to protect the lock cylinder from unavoidable wear that occurs when an incorrectly duplicated key enters the key cylinder.

As you would expect, keys that are originated as opposed to duplicated, can be slightly more expensive but having correct original factory specified keys that operate your locks consistently and repeatedly might be more valuable than the down time created when duplicating keys at the independent or big box hardware stores (that often do not work).

This particular machine is definitely on my wish list.

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