BOLT Lock’s 100-year-old parent firm, Strattec Security Corp., is the world’s largest manufacturer of automotive access control systems and the key OEM lock supplier for Ford, General Motors and Chrysler.
She recently answered a series of questions about the category:
Q: What new products are on the horizon for you?
A: We expect to release a JK Jeep hood lock in the fall. As for new designs, we’re working on a new shape for the shackle-less lock as well as working on with the changing needs of OEMs, whose key shapes continually evolve.
For example, Ford is launching new keys toward the end of 2014, so we’re working toward having the complete line available for the new 2015 model year Ford pickups debuting later this year. We’ll have our padlock, receiver, cable and coupler locks – our entire family of BOLT locks – ready for the new line of Ford trucks.
Q: What is the current sales potential for the aftermarket heavy-duty lock industry?
A: Our consumer retail line of locks is continually expanding through automotive retailers in the U.S. and Canada and plans are in the works to expand into farm, fleet and sporting goods retailers to reach end users we know could gain benefits from BOLT’s convenience and durability.
Additionally, we are integrating the cylinder into a wide variety of light truck commercial offerings. Our goal is to make the technology available to all truck equipment manufacturers as well as to truck accessory retailers and dealers. Ideally, we would like BOLT to be offered by every OEM in the truck equipment industry. That ranges from manufacturers of toolboxes to commercial truck cap and tonneau covers; essentially any truck-related product that requires a lock and key.
Q: Any other plans to expand the brand globally?
A: Yes. In addition to penetrating new regions of Canada, we plan expanding into markets with of heavy construction over the next few years, such as South America, Africa and the Middle East. Australia is also a solid market for the line because of its growing population of off-roading and pickup truck enthusiasts.
Q: What are the main consumer markets for your locks?
A: Our locks are designed for a range of towing, outdoor, recreational, farm and marine applications.
Q: What sets your products apart from other locks?
A: BOLT is totally unique and has no directly comparable competitor. On the retail consumer side there are manufacturers of padlocks, however none have our one-key technology system.
Q: Could you explain the one-key lock technology?
A: A single ignition key can be programmed to open any number of our locks. The locks are easily programmed the first time the ignition key is inserted into the BOLT lock cylinder. Once the key is inserted, spring-loaded plate tumblers move, immediately coding the cylinder to that unique key. From then on, only the driver’s ignition key is needed to unlock any application using a BOLT lock, from a padlocked toolbox, a trailer hitch to a spare tire.
Q: Are your locks easy to operate?
A: Absolutely. Once the key is programmed to the cylinder, all the driver needs to do is insert the key and turn it to open the lock. And they offer the added benefit of more comfortable ergonomics of using a familiar, user-friendly automotive key versus a small coined metal key
Q: What automotive makes are your locks available for currently?
A: Our locks are available for many General Motors, Ford, Chrysler/Jeep, Toyota and Nissan applications.
Q: What are the primary types of your locks?
A: BOLT offers receiver lock, padlock, coupler lock, cable locks, toolbox latches and the spare tire lock for Jeep JKs. Also available are our cylinders, which are integrated into truck equipment products for fleet and commercial use mainly.
Q: What materials are your locks made of?
A: Rugged, weather-proof BOLT locks are manufactured with an electroless nickel-plated carbon steel pin or shaft assembly/shield for strength and durability, and feature an automotive-grade stainless steel lock shutter, a crush-resistant body shell and a six-plate tumbler sidebar that prevents picking and bumping.
Q: Has BOLT undergone testing against any established standards?
A: BOLT products meet ISO-TS16949-2009 certification while typical pad locks are tested to ASTM F883-09. BOLT lock cylinders are designed to meet the worst-case combined demands of Chrysler, Ford and GM automotive requirements, which are more stringent than the ASTM padlock standards. An example of this is that ASTM requires a 240-hour salt spray; we test to 1,000 hours.
Q: What is the lifespan of a BOLT lock that is exposed to the elements?
A: Two samples of each of our competitors’ locks were tested in a corrosion salt spray chamber. The locks were tested for function every 24 hours with failure occurring when the lock can no longer be opened. The BOLT lock passed 1,000 hours, surpassing the other locks in the test.
Q: What kind of warranty do you offer?
A: Every lock comes with a lifetime warranty.
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