About Us
Auto Supply Company, Inc. is a family-owned business positioned to serve the automotive repair professional from our growing number of branch locations in North Carolina and Western Virginia. It's the focus on the industry's professional technicians that distinguishes us from our competitors.
We are the OEM and aftermarket replacement parts specialist in the market for both automotive and light truck. We offer a broad coverage of import and domestic parts, supplies, and equipment with nationally recognized brand names. We pride ourselves in providing "Great Customer Service" by delivering parts quickly, accurately, and at competitive prices
Our great staff (whether it's our parts professionals, warehouse specialists, or business office staff) further distinguishes Auto Supply Company. Our responsiveness and ability to address customer needs, supported by competency, experience and customized product offering enables us to deliver superior customer satisfaction. We firmly believe these attributes translate into increased profits for our customers.
Our Mission
We will be the dominant supplier of OEM and aftermarket parts to automotive and light truck repair professionals in our markets. Our responsiveness and ability to address customer needs, supported by competency, experience and customized product offering, enable us to deliver superior customer satisfaction.
Our History
In 1954 two young men worked together for an auto parts company as sales representatives. The two shared a dream to own their own business one day. Combining the dream with each man's $5000 investment, Auto Supply Company, Inc. was founded in January, 1954. The Company began selling auto parts from a small storefront in the southern part of Winston-Salem. AC, United Delco, Bendix and other nationally branded product lines were offered for sale. Customers included independent installers, dealerships, fleets and retail.
Combining quality automotive parts with great customer service, Auto Supply Company, Inc. grew over the next decade and a half to 13 stores and one warehouse. In 1968, the partners differed in future direction and chose to go their separate ways. Charles A. Key, now the sole owner of Auto Supply Company, Inc. continued to grow and in 1972 opened a major distribution center in Winston-Salem called Key Parts, Inc. (KPI). Additional product lines such as Standard Motor Products, A1 Cardone, Maremont Exhaust, 3M and Moog Chassis were expanded to serve the growing aftermarket. KPI served its company owned stores and a large number of independently owned jobber stores in Piedmont North Carolina and South Central Virginia.
1981 was an important year in the life of Auto Supply Company, Inc. That year saw the acquisition of the Company including the Auto Supply Company stores and KPI by Memphis, TN based Parts, Inc. This marked the Company's first experience with programmed distribution, namely Parts Plus. It also provided the Auto Supply Company, Inc. management staff the opportunity to learn business management techniques and skills from a preeminent parts supplier.
Be it fate or destiny, the relationship with Parts, Inc. ended in November of 1986 nearly five years from the time it began. The second generation to Mr. Key regained ownership of two auto parts stores both located in Winston-Salem. His son Charles Key, Jr., daughter Carla Key Luper and son-in-law Dan Luper began operating as a closely-held, family owned business once again.
As the decade of the eighties closed Auto Supply Company, Inc. was in the growth mode. Its first acquisition was Carolina Auto Parts, a three store chain in Winston-Salem. From the early to mid-nineties the company made numerous growth moves by acquisition or new-startup. Soon its presence reached the Charlotte, Hickory, Kernersville, High Point and Greensboro markets. The Company concentrated its efforts on the independent installer and new car dealer markets. The customer base responded positively to the Company's attention to detail and its 'Home of Great Service" attitude. The Company also moved to its new headquarters in Winston-Salem in February, 1995. An 86,000 square foot former department store was upfitted for warehousing and administrative office use. The Company now stands poised to address its business needs well into the future.
The latter half of the nineties provided many opportunities for expansion. In 1998 the Company renewed its relationship with Parts Plus. This affiliation with the nationally renowned program group provides tremendous benefits with sales and marketing opportunities, education and training, and national account representation. Also noteworthy in 1998, the Company acquired Carolina Automotive Supply Company (CASCO) and as a result occupied a 40,000 square foot distribution center in Raleigh capable of servicing the eastern NC customer base. In November 2004 the distribution center was sold to Walker Autostores, an Alliance Jobber for Auto Supply Company.
The turn of the century saw no end to Auto Supply Company's growth plans. The Company's new model store was introduced with locations in Charlotte and Greenville, NC. This specialized business unit is the Company's model for all future expansions. its total focus is on the independent professional service provider, car dealer and fleet, thus marking a departure from retail business. In late 2001 Motorcraft was added to the product portfolio by virtue of the acquisition of the Motorcraft parts division of SDS, Inc. in Charlotte, NC. The addition provided the Company an opportunity to expand to a 50,000 square foot distribution center. In the third quarter of 2002 the Company acquired the automotive division of W.B. Clements in Roanoke, VA. This marked its first location outside of North Carolina.
As a member of ACDelco's Dedicated Distributions Group (DDG), Motorcrafts's Ford Authorized Dealer (FAD), and The Network's buying group (Parts Plus), Auto Supply Company is poised to deliver on its mission to be the dominant OEM and aftermarket parts supplier in all its markets. Along with added locations, the company has undertaken a reorganization of management, implemented new territory alignments, and introduced numerous business building programs including the latest in e-commerce alternatives for customers.
The company looks enthusiastically forward to servicing its customers well into the future.