Auto Locksmiths
A vehicle locksmith since 1988, John Kirk provides a mobile service for people who’ve locked keys in their vehicle, people who need to replace lost keys, people who find their key doesn’t work, and anything else anyone would need from a mobile locksmith.
As well as cars and motorcycles, he works with boats, small aircraft, lorries, vans, motorcycles, caravans and many other vehicles. Based in West Sussex, his customers range from private owners to dealers and independent garages, used car sellers, hire companies and breakdown services.
New van, new gear
Having run the same van for many years, it was time to invest in a new vehicle and update everything in the back. This meant new racking, as well as an electrical system, L.E.D. lighting and a heater to protect his specialist equipment.
Working closely with Whitebox, John got Sortimo GL4 van racking with stacks of drawers and plenty of workspace. Plus, a Victron Electrics inverter, a comprehensive Venta lighting system and an Eberspacher night heater to protect his gear on cold, damp days.
All designed to help him work safely, efficiently and professionally.
In return, he got…
A more efficient Sortimo van racking layout, making it easier to find everything and stay organised
Venta lighting and a Victron Inverter, making the van more comfortable and less stressful to work in
An Eberspacher heater, which protects equipment from cold and damp conditions that would otherwise damage the specialist machinery
Need to get your van kitted out your way?
Running out of room, for the second time
After years of the same van, John felt it was time to upgrade.
There was nothing wrong with the van or the Sortimo racking that he had installed when the van was new. “I would have kept going with it,” John said, “but I was running out of room for stock.”
A lack of space was why he bought his van in the first place.
When he started out, John had a Fiesta van with a 12v key cutting machine. Back then, keys were a lot more simple. “There was a limited range and you didn’t need to carry a lot of stock,” he said. However, as the technology evolved, John found he needed to carry more stock and invest in new equipment, both of which meant a bigger van.
Stock, equipment and niggly bits
Since his last upgrade, everything has changed again.
Not only does each make and model have its own key, “literally every car’s got a different key from one year to the next,” said John. That means he needs a lot of space to carry the stock.
“I was running out of room.”
Stock was only one part of the equation.
The old van had some “niggly bits” that needed addressing. John’s job demands specialist equipment, which doesn’t come cheap. While nothing is left in the van overnight, it’s important to keep everything dry on those “horrible, drizzly, damp days.” What’s more, his previous van lacked sufficient lighting, which made it difficult to work when the sun went down. Not ideal at any time of year, it gets particularly tricky once winter kicks in. Finally, his “caravan and camping club inverter” wasn’t ideal. Although it’s still working after many years’ use, “it doesn’t look very professional.” And he needed to do something about that.
The spec
Sortimo GL4 van racking with plenty of drawers to keep all his stock organised and easy to find, as well as fold out vice with its own spotlight for working in the dark.
Plenty of workspace to make sure his equipment is safe, secure and accessible when he needs it and easy to put in and take out of the van at the start and end of the day.
A Victron Energy Inverter with multiple 240v sockets, including USB points.
Bespoke VW Eberspacher night heater and Venta L.E.D. lighting to keep him - and his equipment - safe, comfortable and efficient all year round.
“Mark stuck the van into his design tool and we played around until we got just what I needed.”
Know what you need from your van?
It was time to invest in a new van that would carry John through to retirement
Having watched a few videos on YouTube, John decided that Whitebox was the best option for his new install.
He popped into the workshop to discuss what he was after and to run through the layout of his current van. “Mark took great interest in that,” said John. With a longer wheelbase to accommodate, a redesign was on the cards. “Mark stuck the van into his design tool and we played around until we got just what I needed,” continued John.
He stayed with Sortimo because he was so pleased with it the first time round.
The updated racking mostly consists of drawers and cupboards for his equipment and stock. “It’s not just one unit,” John added. “It’s all done properly, from wall to wall, floor to ceiling.”
“It’s an investment. To get it done properly”
Then he added electrics, lighting and heating.
A bank of 240 volt sockets, including USB points, runs off a Victron inverter and gives John the power he needs to run his machines.
L.E.D. lighting keeps the van fully lit - including a spotlight over the bespoke fold out vice for night working. To top it off, a night heater stops the van getting damp and reduces damage to his important equipment.
“It’s given me plenty of workspace,” added John. Plus, there’s a lot more space for stock, despite being a very similar layout to the previous one.
With the fit out coming in at a third of the value of the van, it was important to get it right. After all, “it’s quite an investment,” he added. “And it should last me until retirement.” Which is still a good ten years away at least.
A professional job and a very happy customer
This was very much an upgrade, in every sense.
“It’s the same van, it’s just a long wheelbase version,” John added. Though, as far as this job is concerned, that’s where the similarities end. “I’ve got a lot more room and a lot more workspace. I’ve got better lighting. I’ve got rear heating. I’ve got much better 240v utilisation.”
“I’m very pleased with it. You’ve done a good job.”
Already well organised, John is more efficient than ever.
The extra drawer space and the efficient design has made it more user friendly and made stock accessibility a lot better.
Whereas before, John was “stuffing four or five different key blanks into the one place,” now everything has individual drawers, so he knows where everything is.
The lighting is far superior to what he had before and the heater is essential throughout the colder months, when his equipment is most at risk from damp. What’s more, the upgraded electrical system means he can set up the van according to his needs, rather than making compromises to fit the solution. More than that, everything has been done professionally and John is very pleased with it.