PALO ALTO, CA — Frost & Sullivan’s recent analysis of the U.S. Automotive Collision Parts End-User market selected Keystone Automotive Industries, Inc. as the recipient of the 2005 Market Leadership of the Year Award. According to Frost & Sullivan’s surveys, Keystone was the number-one supply source choice in all collision repair product categories in 2005 on a national basis.
Keystone received the award for its demonstrated ability to garner recognition from shop owners and shop managers as a leading component supply choice. Keystone works with its suppliers to create high quality aftermarket components that set the industry benchmark in terms of fit, quality and packaging.
Since Keystone’s initial public offering (IPO) in 1996, its corporate revenues are up over five-fold from $115 million to its current pace of over $600 million in its fiscal year ending March 31.
“Through its network of 140 distribution centers across the United States and Canada, Keystone is the only collision component supply organization with International coverage,” noted Mary-Beth Kellenberger, Frost & Sullivan consulting analyst. “No other company in this market operates on the same geographical or product scale. Keystone is the company best positioned to capitalize on the continued increasing acceptance of aftermarket components.”
Keystone is member of the Certified Automotive Parts Association (CAPA) and Manufacturers’ Qualification and Validation Program (MQVP) organizations, which certify collision components that meet fit, materials, and corrosion resistance quality standards. Many components that meet or exceed the internationally accepted standards set by CAPA and MQVP are warranted to carry the Keystone Platinum Plus brand and carry the industry leading lifetime warranty.
“The result has been the development of a high equity brand, with strong recognition and recall amongst installers and shop management,” said Frost & Sullivan research analysts Rick Brown and Kellenberger.
Keystone is one of the few North American distributors that are actively involved in product development with their manufacturing partners. As a result, Keystone is becoming well accepted among consumers, installers, and insurance companies for the quality of its aftermarket components. Keystone is working diligently to dispel the question that aftermarket components require more time for installation.
“Frost & Sullivan automotive analysts investigate and provide market intelligence for approximately 100 product categories annually and recognize companies with best in class operations,” observed Kellenberger. “Keystone’s flawless execution of its strategy has resulted in strong revenues and a fiercely loyal clientele that will allow Keystone to further increase its market share.”
Each year this sward is presented to a company that has demonstrated excellence in the majority of product and service metrics. Key metrics include product quality, best price, component fit, product innovation, customer service, after sales service and brand image. The award lauds tremendous responsiveness to customer needs and continual focus on long and short-term customer profitability goals.
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