2015 - A Year in Review

1/1/2016 12:00:00 AM

The New Year is a special time filled with sincere reflection and genuine aspiration for the months to come. For the Keystone family, it also signals a time to express gratitude for those who make it all possible—loyal employees committed to excellence from start to finish; passionate suppliers steadfast in outfitting the aftermarket with innovative products; and valued customers on the edge of the latest trends, helping to drive consumer demand and contribute to the continued success of this impressive industry.

2015 was a great year, one brimming with many moments that inspire an even better tomorrow for Keystone. We drove continuous improvements around the fundamentals that secure the framework of our business model—depth and breadth of inventory, sophisticated logistics, smart diversification and knowledgeable team members who advocate excellent service. These areas serve as the backbone of long term sustainability in an ever-changing environment.

“If You’re Not Changing Then You’re Not Growing.”

Change is a predictable force in life. Businesses can choose to guide the inevitable in a positive and profitable direction or succumb too late without a clear path in sight. We believe with change comes growth opportunity. Proper analysis and planning allows businesses to confidently invest in their future, ensuring a presence for many years to come.

This year we welcomed Coast Distribution System, Inc. to the Keystone family under the LKQ Corp. (Nasdaq: LKQ) umbrella, providing suppliers with unrivaled market coverage and dealers with prime access to the largest inventory of parts and accessories in the industry. In a recent interview with RV Business, Bill Rogers, Vice President and General Manager of Keystone, NTP-STAG and Coast, commented about the acquisition, stating the merger offers customers a plethora of unique marketing, education, merchandising and trade show offerings that would be highly difficult to deliver effectively without the combined resources of the now-one company. “We’re anticipating another strong year in the RV segment and are excited to be heading into the Expo season. Our combined sales force will be gathering the entire dealer family together from the existing NTP-STAG organization and welcoming new Coast dealers to the event, which will be hosted in New Orleans this January,” said Larry Montante, Category Management Leader. It’s the ideal setting to kick-start the year!

Additionally, we expanded our logistic capabilities to include two additional warehouses in 2016, securing a foothold and extending our reach in the Pacific Northwest, Great Lakes region and both Central and Western Canada. The new facilities located in Cheney, Washington and Brownstown, Michigan add an additional 500K square feet of inventory space to the current 2 million sq. ft. footprint, enhancing service capabilities in these critical geographies. “The new warehouses not only help us better expand and penetrate into various geographies, but also increase efficiencies and service levels that benefit both suppliers and customers.” said Montante. “We are committed to investing in the market with the goal of offering deeper and broader coverage across various product categories.” Customers, that spells “Cha-Ching” for you—deeper product coverage in additional locations gives you more choices and those choices can translate directly to more profit for your business.

Quality, Teamwork and Service

Investment in quality yields positive results no matter your business—manufacturing, distribution, retail or installation. And that’s certainly true of the FX Products team, who, debuting its line of vehicle accessories at SEMA for the first time, proudly took home first runner up in the New Products Exterior Accessories category for the HD Running Board. Additionally, Keystone’s eCommerce sales force was presented with the third annual RealTruck Vendor Award for extraordinary commitment to EDI, inventory feeds and continual brand growth. “We’re honored to win this award. It’s great to have partners like Real Truck who are equally committed to giving customers a positive e-commerce experience,” said Lori Adams, eCommerce Sales Manager at Keystone.

The Keystone team was honored to be presented with the WD of the Year award by our partners at Advanced Flow Engineering, Inc. (aFe). This award, accepted by Jon Ruzzi, Category Manager for Speed and Performance, and Ralph Ruzzi, VP of Canadian Sales, demonstrates the power of true partnership. “We’re very proud to be the recipient of such a prestigious award,” said Montante. “Jon and Keystone sales have worked collectively with the aFe team to achieve long term, sustainable growth.”

Looking Ahead

The 2016 Keystone BIG Shows are upon us. An enormous amount of time, energy and resources are dedicated to making the BIG Shows an exceptional experience for all guests. As the largest wholesale-only buying opportunity in the automotive aftermarket, the bar is certainly set high to produce an engaging event each and every year. Montante, part of the Keystone family for more than 30 years, has witnessed the BIG Shows grow exponentially in size, scope, quality and aftermarket influence since the inaugural launch in 1999. He’s always amazed how each year tops the one before. “More suppliers, more customers, further exposure…. It’s bigger and better every single year,” said Montante. New lines continue to be a huge focus and great source of growth for the Keystone team. Using the BIG Shows as a launching pad for many of these incoming manufacturers has been successful not only for them, but also the attendees. “We want to be part of the process to really help our customers market themselves as a local source for new and innovative products,” said Montante. There’s no better springboard than the Keystone BIG Shows. Getting first dibs on new lines, new products and new applications allows customers to get a jump start on the competition.

Mark your calendars for this year’s BIG Shows.

BIG Show East - Saturday, February 20th, 2016 Walter E. Washington Convention Center, Washington DC

BIG Show West - Saturday, March 5th, 2016 Gaylord Texan Resort, Grapevine, TX

Recent Articles

Larry Montante - 2021 SEMA Board of Directors Candidate

Larry Montante - 2021 SEMA Board of Directors Candidate

Keystone Automotive Operations is proud to announce that after a rigorous vetting process, our very own Larry Montante is a Candidate on the ballot for the 2021 SEMA Board of Directors.

For more than 37 years, Larry Montante has been instrumental in the success of Keystone Automotive Operations. Launching his career in the warehouse then on to roles in Retail, Sales, Purchasing, and Marketing, Larry has risen through the ranks to his current position as Vice President of Category Management. Throughout his time with Keystone, Larry has fostered important relationships with the automotive retail community along with the manufacturers that supply products to the industry.

Now, at a time when the automotive aftermarket is facing some of its most unique challenges, Larry has decided to parlay his lifetime of experience into a role where he can be a strong, positive influence on the industry as he vies for a seat on the Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) Board of Directors. Having been chosen as a candidate for the position, Larry’s campaign emphasizes his years of experience in multiple leadership roles along with his genuine understanding of the needs of retailers, suppliers, and consumers in this rapidly evolving marketplace.

As he looks to make an impact on the future of the industry, Larry’s knowledge, passion and energy make him an idea individual to join the SEMA Board while they work to protect our industry and continue to inspire and educate future automotive enthusiasts. There is much work to be done and Keystone Automotive Operations is proud that one of our own, Larry Montante is ready to roll up his sleeves and do what it takes to get the job done.

Larry4SEMA

Keystone Automotive Operations and Elby Bikes join forces to distribute Electric Bikes across North America

August 1, 2020

Elby Mobility has entered into an exclusive distribution agreement with Keystone Automotive Operations covering the entire U.S. and various parts of other countries. Elby Bikes created its first e-bike with an industry-leading hydroformed step-through frame design and continues to innovate in the e-mobility market.

"With the growth in the e-bike market over the past few years, businesses like ours need to secure, strategic partnership programs with a company like Keystone, that deliver products to market more efficiently and quickly," said Frank Stronach, owner of Elby Bikes and founder of automotive products manufacturer, Magna International. "Our strengths have always been creating and designing high quality industry-leading products and bringing them from concept to reality. We are also excited to show what we have for 2021, and we feel Keystone is the best partner to launch with"

Elby Mobility evaluated several options before landing on Keystone. "I have been a pioneer in the automotive aftermarket for decades and we feel that Keystone is the perfect fit for the growth of Elby Mobility. Under our new leadership team, we are excited to support the distribution and B2B platform once again."

"We are very happy to partner with Elby Mobility in this rapidly growing space." Said Andy Morgan, category director for Keystone Automotive Operations. "Elby’s ebikes are extremely high quality, use top notch components and are consistent with the quality we expect. The product is very well designed, operates impeccably and most of all are fun to ride! We are excited to serve a new dealer base as well as offering them to our existing customers."

Elby Bikes

About Elby Mobility

Founded in 2019, Elby Mobility is pioneering a revolution in the way we move through our communities and cities. Elby Mobility’s ebikes provide empowering alternatives to move people through their communities with ease. By providing a scalable, leading-edge solution, we strive to relieve the pain points of transportation and build value for businesses. At the same time, we know our electric-powered solutions are contributing toward a sustainable future, reduced congestion, a cleaner environment, and higher quality of life for everyone.

Elby Mobility sells directly to consumers but is also a leading provider of ebike fleets to hospitality properties, corporate and collegiate campuses, high-density residential communities, and municipal governments. These fleets provide organizations with new opportunities for revenue generation, improved customer engagement and loyalty, and methods to advance corporate sustainability initiatives.

Elby is welcoming, aspirational, connected, and built to carry us all into a better future. Most of all, they’re incredibly fun to use. Elby. Feel Electric.

For more information on Elby Mobility, please visit https://www.elbybike.com

COVID-19: How we are responding, a message from our President

To our trusted suppliers and customers:

The unprecedented effects of COVID-19 (coronavirus) are having a tremendous impact on our lives and businesses. The health, safety and wellbeing of our employees, customers and suppliers is our primary concern and we are continuing to take actions to mitigate the risks across all our facilities based upon guidance provided by the U.S. Center for Disease Control (CDC), the World Health Organization (WHO), the Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA) and other public health authorities and resources. We continue to expect that all employees and drivers remain vigilant in maintaining proper hygiene habits in addition to social distancing.

Our practices have been enhanced to include more frequent, regular cleaning and disinfecting of delivery vehicle surfaces such as interiors and steering wheels, remote controls on lifts, doorknobs and other areas of the vehicles that are frequently touched. We have modified travel and in-person meeting policies appropriately and expect our employees to stay home if they show symptoms or feel sick. We have instituted rigorous cleaning and sanitation practices throughout all our warehouses, vehicles, offices and facilities. Where possible, employees have been transitioned to work at home while we have established strict distancing guidelines for associates working in any of our operating facilities.

We actively monitor the fluid developments of this situation as we continue to serve our customers and support the interests of our suppliers. Many of our customers and suppliers are small and medium-sized, independent essential businesses and as a vital component of the supply chain, we are doing everything we can to service them and the communities and consumers they serve. In the furtherance of this objective, we continue to receive and process orders and maintain deliveries where there is demand and not limited by government restrictions.

We understand the economic realities of this unprecedented situation with their impact on our industry and believe that in staying the course, we can take steps to mitigate the disruption to our business partners. We are confident that this challenge will pass, and we will move forward together.

We wish you safety and health and thank you for your support.

Thank you,
Bill Rogers

eKey App Used by Over 1000 Jobbers

The eKey Mobile App launched early 2019. No more were Jobbers tied to a computer terminal. The app gave the flexibility to access eKeystone tools from anywhere they choose. In addition to Year/Make/Model and VIN barcode reader, Jobbers can use the Smart Search tool they are familiar with from the eKey website. It doesn’t stop there, once the parts are orders on the app, Jobbers can track the status of their delivery truck, ensuring that service schedules can be maintained. The app is available for download on the iTunes App Store and Google Play.

Keystone News