Insurance services provider Handl Group has revealed plans to ink more fleet partnerships for its new auto locksmith business.

Peter Crellen, newly appointed MD at We’ve Got The Key

The group has entered into a legally binding agreement to acquire 100% of the share capital of We’ve Got The Key (WGTK) for an undisclosed sum. The deal is expected to complete later in the autumn and Handl aims to double the size of the business in 18 months, supported by newly appointed managing director Peter Crellen.

WGTK is already the largest auto locksmith in the UK, according to Handl, providing services to insurers, breakdown and recovery services, as well as the fleet and rental sectors. It also has a competitive retail offer for consumers who lose their car keys and need urgent assistance.

In addition to this, the business has many trade customers with large fleets and has plans to build out its share among car dealerships, self-insured fleets and land more insurance contracts.

Under new management and with significant investment in ‘people plus technology’, WGTK is aiming for a 4-5% market share, doubling the number of callouts from 50,000 to 100,000 per year – and expanding its footprint to support motor insurers with key-related claims.

Chris Chatterton, chief commercial officer for Handl, said: “The auto locksmith market is hugely disaggregated, with literally thousands of sole traders, and a few small panels, but we believe WGTK has the potential to become a national brand for resolving auto lockouts in the same way that Home Serve did for home emergency cover.”

WGTK is Norwich-based and will align with Coplus, Handl’s specialist ancillary insurer and claims handling business which is also based in the city. Handl Group also includes credit hire firm Cogent Hire.

Newly appointed WGTK MD Peter Crellen said demand for auto locksmiths is growing, primarily as a result of new technology and security systems, such as the growth in keyless vehicles.

He added: “My main goal is to make We’ve Got The Key the most trusted and first choice auto locksmith in the UK.”