Home > Interviews > From Father to Son: Locksmithing Runs in the Family: The Story of KBO Lock & Safe Ltd

From Father to Son: Locksmithing Runs in the Family: The Story of KBO Lock & Safe Ltd

Across the UK, some families don’t just share a surname — they share toolkits, workshop benches, and a deep-rooted love of locksmithing. At KBO Lock & Safe Ltd, this tradition runs deep. Founded in 1988 by Kevin Berry, the company continues to thrive today under the leadership of his son, Stefan Berry.

The Master Locksmiths Association (MLA) proudly supports families like the Berry’s who have turned locksmithing into a lifelong craft and commitment.

While Father’s Day is a perfect moment to reflect on these legacies, the values of mentorship, pride, and dedication to expert skill are celebrated every day in the locksmithing community.

The MLA represents the highest standards in the industry — and those standards are often built on something deeply personal: family.

KBO’s story spans generations, showcasing not only the passing down of tools and skills but a shared commitment to honesty, trust, and protecting people and property through expert locksmithing.

Stefan Berry and his father Kevin Berry working together in KBO Lock & Safe Ltd’s workshop, showcasing their family locksmith legacy.

A Family Tradition of Craftsmanship

Kevin Berry began his locksmith journey at just 14 years old, taking on a Saturday job in a local lock shop. After years with a security company, he wanted to become a shareholder but was refused. Determined to create a business built on his own principles, he founded KBO Lock & Safe Ltd.

Stefan recalls those early days watching his father work:

“From time to time, I found myself in the lock shop in Aldershot, watching my dad make keys, pin cylinders, and perfect his craft. Eighteen years later, in 2006, I began working alongside him in the same shop, also on Saturdays—mirroring his early steps in the trade. We worked closely together until his retirement in 2019. Everything I have learned, I learned from him.”

Integrity Above All

One lesson stands above the rest for Stefan: honesty.

“My dad never cut corners, never sold anything unnecessary, and never put profit above principle. If a customer didn’t need new locks, he’d say so—even if it meant walking away from the job. That level of integrity built our business on word of mouth and genuine trust. It’s a value I carry forward and instil in every member of our team.”

The Value of MLA Membership

KBO Lock & Safe Ltd has been an MLA Approved Company for many years, benefiting from the association’s network of likeminded professionals. Stefan shares:

“We are proud to be MLA members for many reasons. The network it has provided for likeminded locksmiths has been second to none. The support we get is invaluable, and we have made work associates and friends from this group. It’s imperative that there is a body working so hard to stop rogue locksmiths and get the word out about true businesses.”

“The support we get is invaluable, and we have made work associates and friends from this group.”