SIA New Member Profile: Kwikset

The Security Industry Association (SIA) welcomes aboard residential lock manufacturer Kwikset headquartered in Lake Forest, California!

SIA caught up with Nick English, North American Sales Manager, Residential Access Solutions, for Kwikset about the company’s recent activities in smart locks and their overall relationship to smart homes. “Multiple studies have shown that the most popular entry point into the smart home arena is through security products,” English said. Unlock more insights on Kwikset on the company’s website at www.kwikset.com.

How did you get into the security industry?

I was first introduced into the security industry by joining a large home security provider as a sales manager. I managed a group of sales representatives who provided security solutions to both homeowners and business owners. I worked for that company for 14 years and watched the evolution from basic security to fully integrated automation and security systems.

What do you enjoy most about your role?

As the National Sales Manager for Kwikset, I most enjoy watching the security industry evolve and incorporate more and more connected products for the home into their security and automation systems, especially connected door locks. This has caused a huge rise in demand for connected products, especially door locks. There is practically no limit to the range of products that can be connected to an automation system, and a door lock is a central component of those systems. Door locks can be the catalyst to trigger a number of events and “scenes” that control the entire automation system.

What’s your company’s biggest challenge right now?

One of our biggest challenges—not just now but on an ongoing basis—is to ensure we are educating our pro channel base (i.e., distributors and dealers) about how our locks fit into the overall smart home market. Multiple studies have shown that the most popular entry point into the smart home arena is through security products. As a result, distributors and dealers need to be aware of how to modify their sales approach to not only focus on the security aspect of our locks—still the most important selling point—and understand how to position our locks as an ideal entryway into complete smart home systems.

What trends does your company foresee for the security industry in the next year?

A growing trend in the residential security industry is the emergence of the Internet of Things (IoT). Until recently, security solutions such as access control, video surveillance and burglar alarms were self-contained; they were standalone devices operating independently of other systems. IoT will help improve existing security features by supplying data that can help predict security features that respond to situations relating to property and people. In terms of the locks themselves, there will be increased attention to design and aesthetics. When the first connected or “smart” locks were introduced, there wasn’t a significant focus on appearance or how well the locks blended with a house’s décor. At Kwikset, we are spending almost as much time on how locks integrate with a home’s design scheme as we do on product functionality.

What does your organization receive from membership in SIA? How do you plan to be active in the association in the near future?

We intend to take advantage of as many member benefits as possible. In reviewing the website, we see that there are a variety of opportunities related to education and training, standards, trade show, and networking events. We are going to evaluate all of the possibilities and see what makes the most sense for us [as a new member].

Will your company participate in an upcoming event with SIA such as ISC West, New Product Showcase or Government Summit? If so, what aspect of the event appeals most to your company?

We always participate in the ISC West event. It is arguably the most important event on our show calendar throughout the year. It provides us an opportunity to introduce new products to the pro channel players who are so important to our company’s success. It also gives us a platform to meet with our current partners, to forge new relationships within the pro channel, and to stay informed about the newest technologies within the security industry.

The views and opinions expressed in guest posts and/or profiles are those of the authors or sources and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the Security Industry Association (SIA).