KeyMe Locksmiths Deploys 8,000th AI-Powered Kiosk, Scaling U.S. Manufacturing Through Partnership with Benchmark

Rhea-AI Summary

KeyMe Locksmiths (BHE) announced deployment of its 8,000th AI-powered self-service kiosk nationwide on March 31, 2026, highlighting scaled U.S. manufacturing through a multi-year partnership with Benchmark.

The network has duplicated 47.2 million keys and serves millions annually; Benchmark expanded production from an initial Minnesota facility to new capacity in Nashua, New Hampshire, adding 2,000 kiosks in the last 14 months.

AI-generated analysis. Not financial advice.

Positive

• 8,000 kiosks deployed nationwide as of March 31, 2026
• 47.2 million keys duplicated nationwide as of March 2026
• 2,000 kiosks produced in the past 14 months
• Benchmark manufactured 5,500 kiosks between 2016 and 2021
• U.S. manufacturing scale-up with new Nashua, NH production capacity

Negative

• None.

News Market Reaction – BHE

+4.73%

1 alert

+4.73% News Effect

On the day this news was published, BHE gained 4.73%, reflecting a moderate positive market reaction.

Data tracked by StockTitan Argus on the day of publication.

Key Figures

Deployed kiosks: 8,000 kiosks Keys duplicated: 47.2 million keys Kiosks 2016–2021: 5,500 kiosks +5 more

8 metrics

Deployed kiosks 8,000 kiosks Nationwide self-service kiosk milestone as of March 2026

Keys duplicated 47.2 million keys Total keys duplicated nationwide as of March 2026

Kiosks 2016–2021 5,500 kiosks Units manufactured by Benchmark between 2016 and 2021

Recent kiosk production 2,000 kiosks Additional units produced in the last 14 months

Customers served over 5 million Customers served by KeyMe Locksmiths

Annual key volume over 10 million keys Keys cut annually across KeyMe’s platform

E-commerce keys over 10,000 keys weekly Keys delivered via e-commerce platform per week

Monthly impressions over 2B impressions Retail media network in-store advertising reach

Market Reality Check

Price: $85.04 Vol: Volume 253,442 vs 20-day ...

low vol

$85.04 Last Close

Volume Volume 253,442 vs 20-day average 413,855, indicating lighter-than-usual trading ahead of this announcement. low

Technical Shares at $53.53, trading above the 200-day MA of $44.94 despite a -3.74% move.

Peers on Argus

BHE fell -3.74% with peers CTS, ROG, BELFA/B, and KN also down between about -3%...

BHE fell -3.74% with peers CTS, ROG, BELFA/B, and KN also down between about -3% and -7%, but no names appeared in the momentum scanner, pointing to stock-specific rather than confirmed sector-driven momentum.

Common Catalyst Only KN had same-day news (earnings date announcement), suggesting no broad news-driven sector catalyst.

Historical Context

5 past events · Latest: Mar 16 (Positive)

Pattern 5 events

Date	Event	Sentiment	Move	Catalyst
Mar 16	Dividend declaration	Positive	+0.4%	Board declared a quarterly cash dividend of $0.17 per share.
Feb 03	Earnings release	Neutral	-0.1%	Reported Q4 and full-year 2025 revenue and EPS with Q1 2026 guidance.
Jan 20	Earnings date set	Neutral	+4.1%	Announced timing and call details for Q4 and FY 2025 results.
Jan 07	Leadership change	Positive	-1.6%	Appointed Josh Hollin as SVP and CTO ahead of prior CTO’s retirement.
Dec 15	Dividend declaration	Positive	-3.4%	Declared a $0.17 per share quarterly dividend payable Jan 13, 2026.

Pattern Detected

Stock reactions often diverged from positive corporate updates like dividends and leadership changes, with several upbeat items followed by negative price moves.

Recent Company History

Recent news for Benchmark Electronics has focused on capital returns, earnings, and leadership. Two dividend declarations at $0.17 per share (on Dec 15, 2025 and ) showed stable shareholder returns but drew mixed price reactions. Q4 and full-year 2025 results reported $704M quarterly and $2.659B annual revenue with non-GAAP EPS of $2.40. An earnings-date notice in January 2026 coincided with a strong gain, while the CTO appointment of Josh Hollin on Jan 7, 2026 saw a modest decline, underscoring inconsistent trading around operational news.

Market Pulse Summary

This announcement underscores Benchmark’s position in U.S.-based advanced manufacturing for AI-enabl...

Analysis

This announcement underscores Benchmark’s position in U.S.-based advanced manufacturing for AI-enabled hardware, supporting KeyMe’s network of over 8,000 kiosks and more than 47.2 million duplicated keys. It reinforces themes from prior updates about engineering leadership and automation capabilities. Investors may watch how relationships like this influence future revenue, margins, and capacity utilization, as well as any concentration risk tied to large customers in intelligent retail automation.

Key Terms

ai-powered, advanced manufacturing, optical scanning systems, machine learning models, +4 more

8 terms

ai-powered technical

"deployment of its 8,000th self-service kiosk nationwide. This milestone reflects the continued growth of KeyMe's AI-powered retail platform"

"AI-powered" describes technology that uses artificial intelligence to perform tasks, make decisions, or analyze information automatically. It’s similar to having a highly skilled assistant that can learn from data, recognize patterns, and improve over time, helping to make processes faster and more accurate. For investors, this means better insights and more efficient operations, potentially leading to smarter investment choices.

advanced manufacturing technical

"Benchmark, a U.S.-based engineering, design, and advanced manufacturing solutions provider"

Advanced manufacturing involves the use of innovative technologies and processes to produce goods more efficiently, precisely, and flexibly than traditional methods. It often includes automation, robotics, and digital tools that improve quality and reduce costs. For investors, it signals industries that are leveraging cutting-edge techniques to stay competitive and meet evolving market demands.

optical scanning systems technical

"Each KeyMe kiosk integrates:Optical scanning systems engineered to translate physical keys"

Optical scanning systems are devices that use light—such as lasers, LEDs, or cameras—to capture detailed images or measurements of surfaces, objects, or documents and turn that information into digital data. For investors, they matter because these systems act like a camera replacing human inspection across manufacturing, logistics, healthcare and security; improvements can lower costs, boost throughput, enable new products, or affect regulatory approval and therefore a company’s revenue and risk profile.

machine learning models technical

"Machine learning models that continuously learn and improve duplication accuracy"

Machine learning models are computer programs that learn patterns from past data to make predictions or decisions without being explicitly programmed for each task. For investors, they matter because they can improve forecasting, automate routine work, reduce costs or introduce new risks; think of them as a smart assistant that learns from past results like a chef refining recipes, helping businesses spot opportunities or mistakes faster.

precision robotics technical

"Precision robotics designed to automate key cutting within thousandths of an inch"

Precision robotics are advanced machines and control systems designed to perform delicate, repeatable tasks with very high accuracy—think of a mechanical hand that can place grains of rice exactly where needed. Investors care because these systems can improve productivity, reduce errors and labor costs, and enable new products or services in manufacturing, healthcare and logistics, affecting revenue, margins and competitive position.

cloud-connected software technical

"Cloud-connected software architecture that securely stores digital key files"

Software that runs on devices but depends on remote servers and internet services to store data, perform heavy work, or receive updates; think of it like an app on your phone that always talks to a central office to get new information and features. For investors, cloud-connected software matters because it often enables steady subscription revenue, faster product improvements, and easier scaling across users, while also concentrating risks around uptime, data security, and ongoing service costs.

automation technical

"combining engineering, design, automation, and production to support national deployment"

Automation is the use of technology to perform tasks with minimal human intervention, often replacing manual work with machines or software. It matters to investors because it can increase efficiency, reduce costs, and enable faster decision-making, potentially leading to higher profits and competitive advantages for businesses.

retail media networks technical

"KeyMe Locksmiths also operates one of the nation's leading retail media networks"

Retail media networks are the advertising platforms run by stores and online retailers that let brands display ads, sponsored products, and personalized offers to shoppers on the retailer’s website, apps, email and in-store screens. For investors, they matter because these networks turn a retailer’s customer traffic into a high-margin advertising business—like a mall owner leasing premium billboard space to brands—boosting revenue, improving customer data control and potentially raising profitability and valuation.

AI-generated analysis. Not financial advice.

National retail automation platform showcases how advanced engineering and U.S.-based manufacturing are enabling intelligent hardware at scale

HEBRON, Ky., March 31, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- KeyMe Locksmiths, a leading provider of local locksmith services and key duplication kiosks, today announced the deployment of its 8,000th self-service kiosk nationwide. This milestone reflects the continued growth of KeyMe's AI-powered retail platform and underscores the increasing demand for intelligent, self-service solutions across major retail environments. Since early development, Benchmark, a U.S.-based engineering, design, and advanced manufacturing solutions provider, has partnered with KeyMe Locksmiths to design, industrialize, and manufacture its kiosk platform.

What began as initial production in Benchmark's Minnesota facility has expanded to include scaled manufacturing in Nashua, New Hampshire, supporting continued national deployment and increasing demand across major retail channels.

With more than 8,000 kiosks deployed across leading convenience, grocery, farm supply, military channels, and mass retail chains, the KeyMe Locksmiths platform now serves millions of customers annually and has duplicated more than 47.2 million keys nationwide, as of March 2026. The distributed network places AI-powered automation directly inside everyday retail environments, including 7-Eleven, Albertsons, Blains Farm & Fleet, Kroger, Meijer, Rural King, Staples, Stop & Shop, Walmart, and WinCo Foods.

"This milestone reflects the continued evolution of AI beyond the cloud and into the physical world," said James Moorhead, CEO of KeyMe Locksmiths. "By partnering early in the product lifecycle, we were able to fast-track development while continuously refining the system, a model for how U.S. advanced manufacturing can innovate quickly and effectively. Together with Benchmark, we've built intelligent infrastructure designed and manufactured in the U.S. that operates autonomously at scale."

Benchmark's role has spanned design engineering, advanced robotics integration, optimized electronics, and integrated software systems, enabling KeyMe Locksmiths to deliver precision, security, and performance at national scale. Today, Benchmark supports ongoing production and is positioned to scale output to meet continued growth.

"We are proud that Benchmark's multidisciplinary expertise, spanning optics, robotics, sensors, and cloud-connected software, has supported KeyMe on their journey from early concept to retail-ready kiosks. Today, we are supporting continued growth by scaling U.S. manufacturing to deploy these solutions in leading retail environments across the country," said Josh Hollin, Chief Technology Officer, Benchmark.

Between 2016 and 2021, Benchmark manufactured more than 5,500 kiosks for KeyMe Locksmiths, establishing the foundation for national deployment. As adoption accelerated, an additional 2,000 kiosks have been produced in just the last 14 months.

This shift reflects a clear inflection point for the platform. Benchmark's role in design industrialization and U.S.-based manufacturing scale-up has enabled KeyMe Locksmiths to rapidly scale production while maintaining consistency, precision, and performance.

Each KeyMe kiosk integrates:

• Optical scanning systems engineered to translate physical keys into precise digital blueprints
• Machine learning models that continuously learn and improve duplication accuracy across millions of transactions
• Precision robotics designed to automate key cutting within thousandths of an inch tolerances
• Cloud-connected software architecture that securely stores digital key files (opt-in only) and enables continuous system optimization across 8,000+ distributed locations

As companies prioritize domestic production and supply chain resilience, the KeyMe Locksmiths and Benchmark collaboration demonstrates a scalable model for U.S.-based advanced manufacturing, combining engineering, design, automation, and production to support national deployment of intelligent hardware systems.

With continued expansion underway, KeyMe Locksmiths is further scaling its intelligent retail automation platform, supported by Benchmark's engineering and manufacturing capabilities.

To learn more, visit Key.Me.

About KeyMe
KeyMe Locksmiths is a leading provider of local locksmith services and key copy kiosks across 50 states and the District of Columbia. Proud to serve over 5 million customers, KeyMe Locksmiths cuts over 10 million keys annually. With more than 8,000 self-service kiosks in major retailers, an e-commerce platform delivering over 10,000 keys weekly, and a nationwide locksmith network, KeyMe Locksmiths provides fast, reliable solutions for residential, commercial, and vehicle needs. KeyMe Locksmiths is committed to delivering exceptional service backed by a 100% money-back guarantee. KeyMe Locksmiths also operates one of the nation's leading retail media networks, connecting consumers to other brands seeking to advertise in-store and delivering over 2B monthly impressions. For more information, visit key.me.

About Benchmark Electronics, Inc.
Benchmark provides comprehensive solutions across the entire product lifecycle by leading through its innovative technology and engineering design services, leveraging its optimized global supply chain, and delivering world-class manufacturing services in the following industries: commercial aerospace, defense, advanced computing, next-generation communications, industrial, medical, and semiconductor capital equipment. Benchmark operates in eight countries and its common shares trade on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol BHE.

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/keyme-locksmiths-deploys-8-000th-ai-powered-kiosk-scaling-us-manufacturing-through-partnership-with-benchmark-302729261.html

SOURCE KeyMe Locksmiths

FAQ

How many KeyMe (BHE) kiosks are deployed as of March 31, 2026?

KeyMe has deployed 8,000 kiosks nationwide as of March 31, 2026. According to the company, the network spans convenience, grocery, mass retail, and other channels and serves millions of customers annually.

What manufacturing partnership supports KeyMe (BHE) kiosk scale-up?

KeyMe scales production through a partnership with Benchmark for U.S. design and manufacturing. According to the company, Benchmark expanded production from Minnesota to Nashua, New Hampshire to meet accelerated demand.

How many keys has KeyMe (BHE) duplicated through its kiosk network?

KeyMe has duplicated 47.2 million keys nationwide as of March 2026. According to the company, this total reflects cumulative kiosk and service activity across its retail-deployed network.

What recent production cadence did KeyMe (BHE) achieve for kiosks?

KeyMe produced an additional 2,000 kiosks in the last 14 months, indicating accelerated manufacturing. According to the company, this pace marks an inflection point for national deployment and scale.

Which retailers host KeyMe (BHE) kiosks and reach customers?

KeyMe kiosks operate inside retailers like 7-Eleven, Kroger, Walmart, Staples, and Albertsons. According to the company, the distributed placements connect the platform to major convenience, grocery, and mass retail channels.