Keystone Automotive Industries CEO, Richard Keister, presented his vision for the collision industry at the Arizona Collision Craftsmen's Association meeting. Having just celebrated his two-year anniversary with Keystone, Keister shared his experience of leaving an OE driven company and entering the world of the collision aftermarket.

Having worked previously as a technician, Keister understands the body shops needs as well as the added value Keystone can provide them. "I am a customer-driven guy; Keystone and the aftermarket have no future if we do not constantly add value to our body shop customers," proclaimed Keister. "We in the parts industry must work closely with our body shop customers for mutual success."

During his speech Keister discussed Keystone's goals related to meeting the needs of body shops nationwide. They include:

• Delivering parts exactly when they are needed, damage free.
• Pricing parts fairly and give body shops an opportunity to make a fair margin. The focus will be on lowering the number of totals, which puts more work into shops
• Deliver parts that are indistinguishable from OE parts
• Support and stock CAPA and other certified parts
• Change the perception about the quality of parts that can be purchased in the aftermarket

"My job during the next five to ten years is to make sure our foundation is strong enough for Keystone to continue to add value to our collision shop customers for another 59 years," he concluded.