Business Spotlight: Jay Key Service Inc.

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It started in 1944 when locksmith Leslie Jay Sr. decided to open his own business. Fifty-nine years later, Jay Key Service Inc. is still going strong and has employed four generations of the Jay family.|ret||ret||tab|

Jay's son Richard joined the business in 1946, shortly after he was discharged from the service following World War II. Two years later, Leslie Jay Sr. died, and Leslie Jay Jr. began working alongside his brother. |ret||ret||tab|

In 1976, Leslie Jay Jr. sold his interest in the business, and ownership passed to Richard Jay, son Rick and son-in-law Terry Reichert. Richard Jay, who is 76, still works at Jay Key Service, which now employs its fourth generation of family members Tory Jay, who is Rick's son, and Ryan Reichert, who is Terry's son. |ret||ret||tab|

"This is more than a business, this is family," said Debbie Reichert, who joined the business in 1990. "I work alongside my dad, my brother, my husband, my son and my nephew. We all get along really well. There's a real positive, friendly atmosphere here."|ret||ret||tab|

Over the years, Jay Key Service has adapted to changes both in the local market and the industry. During its early years, the company was located in the heart of Springfield's downtown shopping district. In 1978, the business relocated to its current location at 1106 E. St. Louis St. to provide customers with better parking. |ret||ret||tab|

Jay Key Service's business hours also have changed. Originally, the business was open 24 hours a day, but in 1978 the family decided to change the hours of operation to 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday through Friday.|ret||ret||tab|

"Several other 24-hour locksmiths had opened up shops in Springfield," said Rick Jay. "We began looking at when we were doing most of our business, and it was during the day. Changing our hours just made sense."|ret||ret||tab|

The company's biggest change, however, came three years later. Originally, the company did both locksmith and gunsmith work and was called Jay Key and Gun. In 1981, the company's two gunsmiths left to open their own shop. Rather than hire new gunsmiths, the Jay family decided to take on more locksmith work, and the company's name was changed to Jay Key Service.|ret||ret||tab|

"At the time, about 50 percent of our gross revenue came from gunsmith work and the sale of guns," said Rick Jay. "But the overhead on that segment of the business was high, and we were always having to deal with lots of paperwork because of (Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms) regulations. We were worried at first, but it turned out to be a blessing in disguise. We were able to take on more locksmith work quickly, and we didn't have nearly as much tied up in time or overhead."|ret||ret||tab|

Today, the majority of Jay Key Service's business comes from residential and commercial work. The company has three service trucks and a van, which contain all of the tools and materials needed to provide on-site service to customers who live within a 60-mile radius of Springfield. |ret||ret||tab|

The locksmiths at Jay Key Service provide a wide variety of services to customers, including installing, re-keying and repairing locks at area homes and businesses, and installing master key systems at commercial job sites. The company also makes duplicate keys, changes combinations, sells padlocks, locks and safes, and does service work on safes.|ret||ret||tab|

"We get a lot of walk-in business," said Rick Jay. "Usually, three people are out in the service trucks and another five or six people help customers who come into the shop."|ret||ret||tab|

Although the number of locksmiths in Springfield has increased considerably during the past 59 years, Jay Key Service hasn't had any trouble attracting new customers or maintaining a high business volume, according Debbie Reichert. Much of Jay Key Service's business comes through word-of-mouth referrals or repeat customers, she said. |ret||ret||tab|

Rick Jay believes the company's reputation also has played a vital role in its continued success. To ensure customers' protection, the company is bonded and insured. |ret||ret||tab|

Trust and honesty are so important in this business," he said. "If you can't trust your locksmith, you can't trust anybody."|ret||ret||tab|

Jay Key Service is a member of Springfield's Best, which works to promote locally owned businesses. The company also is a member of the Associated Locksmiths of America, which works to ensure member-businesses uphold the highest business and ethical standards.|ret||ret||tab|

ALOA also promotes continuing education within the industry. Several employees from Jay Key Service recently attended a continuing education seminar in Dallas, where they learned about new equipment and trends in the industry. |ret||ret||tab|

Keeping up with industry trends is important, according to employee Chris Knight, who attended the seminar. For example, Knight sometimes finds himself working on high-security car keys that have miniature transponders imbedded in them. After the key is inserted into the car's ignition, a radio frequency is transmitted to the key. This energizes the transponder, which replies with an ID number. The car's onboard computer system then recognizes the ID and enables the ignition system, which allows the car to start. |ret||ret||tab|

The Jays and Reicherts said they continually track changes in the industry so they can meet customers' needs. However, they don't anticipate changing the company's focus.|ret||ret||tab|

"We plan on continuing to provide the same topnotch service we have the last 59 years," said Rick Jay. |ret||ret||tab|

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