A look behind the scenes at Erkes safety technology
As a specialist company with over 30 years of experience, Erkes safety technology offers a comprehensive range of services covering all aspects of key services, alarm systems, video surveillance and burglary protection. We talked to the owner Klemens Erkes about his work in safety engineering. He told us how electronics is increasingly defining this profession, what is important in protecting property, and how someone once fainted while opening a door. Read more in this blog post.
Hi Klemens, thank you so much for giving us the opportunity to talk to you about your work in safety engineering. Perhaps you could tell us something about Erkes safety technology to get us started? Who are you and what services do you offer?
Of course. We are a locksmith in the traditional sense and offer both mechanical and electronic services. We are specialised in lock, key and locking technology for doors and windows, install and repair alarm systems, video surveillance systems and safes.
That sounds like a versatile and exciting range of tasks. If you offer services relating to alarm systems, video surveillance and burglary protection: Have you ever been there when a criminal case was solved, or a thief was caught in the act?
Once or twice a month I am present at police or customs operations carried out as part of tax investigations. My job then is to open the door and enable the police to gain access. That can be very nerve-wracking.
We can imagine that. Have you ever experienced anything particularly funny, pleasant, or adventurous?
*laughs* During a raid with the police, a crime suspect once hid in the bathroom and locked himself in. After opening the door, we found him lying lifeless on the floor – he must have “fainted.”
Funny! What are the bright and dark sides of your job, or what would you describe as the biggest challenges?
One positive challenge is the rapid electronic progress in our industry. With increasing crime, there is a growing demand for alarm systems and video surveillance, among other things. Here it is our task to always offer the customer the latest technology.
How do you see the future of safety technology?
The key word here is domotics. Smart technologies are becoming more and more widespread. From heating or sound systems to alarm and video surveillance, there is also a growing trend to protect your own home in a “smart” way. Private homes can already be monitored via app. This gives you the possibility to keep an eye on your property no matter where you are in the world, at any time.
Let’s see what happens next in the world of smart homes. From the big wide world, let us now go back to the beautiful Lower Rhine region. You are located in Goch, we are located in Uedem. But what connects you with ELTEN, or how did you come to wear our shoes?
ELTEN is a well-known and local company here in the Lower Rhine region – and as a result, we also feel a strong connection to you. Nevertheless, we do not wear ELTEN because of location factors, but because we are convinced of the products, and because they make our everyday life a bit safer than, for example, ‘normal’ leisure shoes. ELTEN occupational shoes (the ones without the cap *laughs*) are very comfortable and have a modern look, which means they are also great to wear in our everyday working life. The occupational shoes are suitable, among other things, for long periods of standing or walking, as they are sufficiently cushioned and have a slip-resistant sole, which means that you won’t slip so quickly on customers’ slippery tiled, PVC or linoleum floors. In addition, the comfortable cushioning, I think you call it WELLMAXX cushioning, is easy on the joints – and you can feel it.
We’re glad to hear it! Which occupational shoes do you prefer to wear?
I prefer to wear the MADDOX black leather Low ESD O2, which have a real cool but also elegant look. They also feel lightweight and comfortable, so you can wear them well even on a 10-hour day. Unlike other casual shoes, they are slip-resistant, have an ESD feature (which is great if you work on electronics a lot like I do), and can be orthopedically adjusted if you have flat feet and need insoles, for example. What more could you want? *winks*
