Keystone’s Beginnings... Our company history begins with the dreams of a father and son and the opening of the first retail A&A Auto Store.  Joe Amato Sr., a native of northeastern Pennsylvania, opened the first A&A store in the early 1960s – a store with ample space to serve as a distribution center for other enthusiasts and small local repair shops.

Several years later, Joe’s son Joe Jr. – a young, high school student – entered the family business. Joe Jr. was passionate about drag racing and keen on building his family legacy.  Following his passion, he created S&S Speed, a parts retail store devoted exclusively to speed and performance parts. As Joe Jr. achieved legendary status on the drag racing circuit, the Amato businesses grew and so did the number of automotive and speed enthusiasts employed by the Amato’s.

In 1971, the Amato family businesses evolved into the Keystone Automotive Operations, Inc that we know today. Keystone expanded rapidly in all areas of inventory, distribution, and customer service from that point forward, strengthening its market reputation for customer service excellence and superior product selection.

 Milestones:
 1971  Keystone Automotive Operations opens for business
 1977  Keystone receives SEMA WD of the Year Award
 1986  Keystone receives SEMA WD of the Year Award
 1988  Exeter, PA main warehouse opens
 1989  Greensboro, NC sales center & cross-dock opens
 1992  Perrysburg, OH sales center & cross-dock opens
 1998  Shrewsburg, MA cross-dock opens
   Keystone acquires American Specialty Inc. (NY)
   Keystone acquired by Advent, Littlejohn, & GE Commercial Finance
 1999  Toronto, ON sales center & cross-dock opens
   Memphis, TN cross-dock opens
   Dallas, TX cross-dock opens
   Keystone acquires American Parts Warehouse (APW)
   Keystone acquires Performance Improvements Warehouse (Canada)
 2000  Pittsburgh, PA cross-dock opens
   Chicago, IL cross-dock opens
   Kansas City, KS sales center, cross-dock & distribution center opens
   Denver, CO sales center and cross-dock opens
   Hyattsville, MD cross-dock opens
 2001  Orlando, FL cross-dock opens
   Long Island, NY Sales Center and Cross Dock opens
   Evansville, IN cross-dock opens
   Athens, GA cross-dock opens
 2002  Cornwall, ON cross-dock opens
   Mobile, AL cross-dock opens
 2003  Corona, CA sales center, cross-dock, & distribution center opens
   Keystone acquires Wilco Sales Corp.
   Bain Capital acquires Keystone Automotive Operations
 2004  Sacramento, CA cross-dock opens
 2005  Albuquerque, NM cross-dock opens
   Keystone acquires Blacksmith Distributing
   Ehrlanger, KY Cross Dock opens
   Keystone acquires Reliable Automotive
 2006  St. Paul, MN cross-dock opens
   Atlanta, GA cross-dock & distribution center opens
 2007  Phoenix, AZ cross-dock opens
   Keystone receives SEMA WD of the Year Award
 2008  Rochester, NY cross-dock opens
   Burley, ID cross-dock opens
   Houston, TX cross-dock opens
   Keystone acquires assets of Arrow Speed Warehouse
2009  Aberdeen, SD Cross Dock opens
   Moosejaw, SA - Canada Cross Dock opens
   Portland, OR Cross Dock opens
2010  Moncton, MB Cross Dock opens
2011  Platinum Equity acquires Majority Ownership of Keystone Automotive Operations, Inc.
   Keystone acquires NTP Distribution, Inc. (NTP)
2012  Richmond, IN Cross Dock open