Who Makes KSI Auto Parts?

KSI Auto Parts does not manufacture parts itself. It is a distributor of aftermarket collision replacement parts, and it has operated as a subsidiary of Investcorp, a global alternative investment firm, since 2018.

Originally known as KSI Trading Corp, the company was founded in 1984 and grew into a major supplier of aftermarket auto body parts for collision repair shops.

KSI is headquartered in South Plainfield, New Jersey, and serves thousands of collision repair shops across the United States from multiple distribution locations.

Understanding who owns KSI helps collision shops and car owners see where the aftermarket bumpers, mirrors and lighting on their vehicle actually come from.

This guide covers KSI’s ownership, founding history, product range, manufacturing sources and how it compares to other collision parts suppliers.

So lets get started.

Who Owns KSI Auto Parts

KSI Auto Parts, legally known as KSI Trading Corp, has been owned by Investcorp since the investment firm announced its acquisition in April 2018.

Investcorp is a global alternative investment firm with operations spanning private equity, real estate and credit, and it manages investments across multiple industries beyond automotive parts, according to the Investcorp announcement of the KSI acquisition.

Following the acquisition, Christopher Patti was appointed chief executive officer of KSI, leading the company through its next phase of growth under private equity ownership.

At the time of the deal, KSI operated 25 locations across 14 states, employed more than 600 people, and served over 10,000 collision repair shops nationwide.

KSI Auto Parts Company History

KSI was founded in 1984 as a supplier of quality replacement auto body parts, building its business around collision repair shops rather than individual consumers.

Over more than three decades, the company expanded from a regional New Jersey operation into a multi state distribution network serving thousands of repair facilities.

The 2018 acquisition by Investcorp gave KSI additional capital to continue this expansion, following a growth pattern common among aftermarket collision parts distributors.

Today KSI remains headquartered in South Plainfield, New Jersey, the same state where the company got its start.

What Products Does KSI Auto Parts Sell

KSI focuses on aftermarket auto body parts, the exterior components most commonly damaged in collisions and replaced during body shop repairs.

Its catalog typically includes bumper covers, fenders, hoods, grilles, headlight and taillight assemblies, and other sheet metal and lighting components.

Like most collision parts distributors, KSI does not manufacture these parts in house, instead sourcing them from contracted manufacturers that specialize in aftermarket crash parts.

This distribution focused business model is common across the industry and mirrors how competitors covered in our Where Are A Premium Auto Parts Made guide operate.

Where Are KSI Auto Parts Made

KSI sources its aftermarket collision parts from third party manufacturers, many of which are based in Taiwan and other regions known for aftermarket auto parts production.

The specific factory behind any given part depends on the vehicle model and part category, since KSI works with a network of manufacturing partners rather than one single supplier.

This sourcing approach lets KSI offer a wide range of part numbers across many vehicle makes without operating its own factories.

Quality control for these parts typically involves fit and finish testing before parts reach KSI’s distribution centers.

Is KSI Auto Parts Really Good or Worth It

KSI has built its reputation over four decades serving collision repair shops, which suggests a level of consistency that newer entrants in the aftermarket parts space have not yet established.

Investcorp’s backing since 2018 has given KSI resources to expand its distribution footprint, which generally benefits customers through faster parts availability.

As with any aftermarket collision parts supplier, fit and finish quality can vary by part number, so shops often develop preferences for specific KSI part categories over time.

For collision repair shops that value a long standing supplier relationship over the absolute lowest price, KSI is generally considered a dependable choice in the aftermarket parts market.

KSI Compared to Other Collision Parts Distributors

KSI competes with other aftermarket collision parts suppliers, including Empire Auto Parts and Fenix Parts, each backed by different private equity owners.

Unlike recyclers that pull used parts from salvaged vehicles, KSI’s parts are newly manufactured aftermarket components rather than recycled OEM parts.

This puts KSI in more direct comparison with brands covered in our Where Are SKP Auto Parts Made guide than with recycling networks.

KSI’s four decade operating history and multi state footprint give it scale that smaller regional aftermarket suppliers typically lack.

KSI Auto Parts Locations and Service Area

KSI operates distribution locations across 14 states from its South Plainfield, New Jersey headquarters, focusing coverage on the eastern and central United States.

Each distribution point stocks inventory tailored to the collision repair shops in its region, allowing faster delivery than shipping from a single national warehouse.

This regional distribution model is common among collision parts suppliers, since fast delivery is often more important to repair shops than rock bottom pricing.

Collision shops interested in becoming KSI customers typically set up a business account to access ordering, pricing and delivery scheduling.

Who Buys From KSI Auto Parts

KSI sells almost exclusively to collision repair shops, dealership body shops and multi shop operators rather than directly to individual car owners.

Insurance appraisers frequently specify aftermarket parts from suppliers like KSI on repair estimates, since these parts typically cost less than factory original components.

Larger repair chains sometimes set up volume pricing agreements with KSI given the scale of its distribution network across 14 states.

Current business information and updates about KSI’s operations can also be found through KSI Collision Parts, a related entity in the same collision parts space.

KSI Auto Parts Quality Control Process

Because KSI outsources manufacturing to third party factories, the company relies on fit and finish inspections before parts are shipped to repair shops.

Many collision parts suppliers, including those in KSI’s category, use CAPA certification as a benchmark for aftermarket part quality against OEM specifications.

Shops that request certified parts generally have more confidence in fitment, which reduces comebacks and rework during the repair process.

This quality control step is a key reason collision shops develop long standing relationships with dependable distributors like KSI rather than switching suppliers frequently.

KSI Auto Parts Warranty and Support

KSI backs its aftermarket parts with warranty coverage administered through the collision repair shops that install them, following standard industry practice.

Because KSI sells business to business, individual car owners typically do not interact with KSI directly, instead working through their chosen repair shop.

Repair shops can reach KSI through its official site at ksiautoparts.com for ordering, account support and warranty claims related to specific part numbers.

This business to business support model is standard among aftermarket collision parts distributors of KSI’s size and scale.

Frequently Asked Questions About KSI Auto Parts

Who Makes KSI Auto Parts

KSI Auto Parts does not manufacture parts itself. It distributes aftermarket collision parts and has been owned by the investment firm Investcorp since 2018.

When Was KSI Auto Parts Founded

KSI, originally KSI Trading Corp, was founded in 1984 and has operated as a supplier of aftermarket auto body parts ever since.

Where Are KSI Auto Parts Made

KSI sources its parts from contracted manufacturers, many based in Taiwan and other established aftermarket parts producing regions, rather than making parts itself.

Is KSI A Good Auto Parts Supplier

Yes, KSI is generally considered a dependable aftermarket collision parts supplier, backed by more than four decades of experience and stronger resources since its 2018 acquisition by Investcorp.