Key to Success

Tucked between a row of key-making stores on the Gaffar Baig street,is Babubhai and Sons Co,a company founded in 1963. While most shops in the lane are into same business – copying or replacing keys – Babubhai and Sons has an edge over the others. It is the only place in the country where one can get a duplicate key made for an imported super bike or car. Last month,Babubhai and Sons Co. collaborated with Elme tools to launch the beta version of the tool kit and its software. This version,as Mohammed claims is currently in its testing stage and will be released in a week’s time.

Shaikh Adil Jan Mohammed says that one needs training to use the tool kit which costs almost Rs four lakhs currently. The tool works using a software on a token or a code system. Every key that is made for a bike or car is made with one such token. Softwares on the tool kit are built in for various cars and bikes. They have very recently included the BMW software to help duplicate keys for cars and bikes made by BMW. “It has had a zero failure rate. The procedure is simple. We match the token of the immobilised bike or car to the software and then make the key,” he says.

The software have been designed for anti- theft purposes. The vehicle’s engine control unit (ECU) recognises a specific code,which according to Shaikh they can replace or copy. “In the event of a loss or damage of the keys the representatives personally go to the place so that they keep records that prove the identity of the owner. The company receives almost 10 vehicles in a month which have been locked due to loss or breakage of the key,” says Adil Mohammed,who is currently continuing the family business.

The business has been offering their services to high profile clients as well as domestic owners of cars and super bikes. Ordinarily the change can cost a person up to Rupees one lakh as the entire lock unit has to be changed but Jan Mohammed offers his services to copy the sensor at Rupees 30,000.