Auto Anything

AutoAnything is an online retailer of custom automotive accessories and performance parts.
Products, Services & Branding
AutoAnything is an online-retailer of automotive accessories and performance parts for cars, trucks and SUV's. They carry a wide range of products from automotive accessory brands like K&N & Brembo. Products can be purchased online or over the phone.
In addition to offering accessory products, AutoAnything has also created an extensive resource center which is publicly available on their website.
AutoAnything can be found on four major social media sites; Facebook, YouTube, Twitter and LinkedIn. They also advertise in several major print publications; Car & Driver, Motor Trend & Truckin. AutoAnything is active with several non-profit causes including Experience Works, Challenged Athletes Foundation and the American Cancer Society.
Business Model
In the automotive industry, manufacturers traditionally ship to warehouse distribution centers, warehouse distribution centers ship to jobbers, jobbers ship to stores, and stores sell to customers, each taking its cut along the way.
AutoAnything's business model is a more efficient design, where the manufacturers ship the products directly to the customer. This eliminates many steps in the supply chain and as a result, it also has less impact on the environment.
History
AutoAnything was founded in 1979 as Blue Ribbon Sheepskin by Selwyn Klein. Armed with a background in mass retailing and ties to the meat industry, Klein tapped into his hides and skins connections to start an automotive sheepskin seat cover company.
The first Blue Ribbon Motoring store opened in Santa Ana, California, just before the dawn of the 1980s. Initially, the company's sheepskin seat covers were being produced by a third party. However, Klein recognized the opportunity of manufacturing the seat covers in-house and quickly opened a production facility in San Diego, California.
The purchase of a floor mat manufacturing company followed. Blue Ribbon also expanded their offering of automotive products and began to thrive. They reached customers via traditional newspaper advertising, billboards and also by printing and mailing catalogs. Over the course of the decade, more than 15 stores opened up across the country, from Los Angeles, California, to Chicago, Illinois.
In the 1990s and with stores across the country, Klein concluded that Blue Ribbon needed to centralize its operation under one roof. He chose San Diego, the home of the original production facility. This centralization allowed the company to achieve economies of scale and pass along a strong value and pricing proposition to the consumer. Most importantly, it gave Blue Ribbon the ability to control customer service and the entire end user's experience
In the late 1990s, Selwyn was joined by his sons David and Trevor. Together they recognized the emerging Internet market and focused the bulk of their attention in that direction by launching AutoAnything.com.
As AutoAnything grew, the Blue Ribbon brick and mortar stores were slowly closed. The focus of investment became the company's website by way of advanced technology, cutting-edge content and industry-leading data management. Additionally, the Klein's customer-centric mindset led to the build-out of a top-notch customer service and sales team. Marketing efforts expanded with the growth of the site and it wasn't long before AutoAnything was leading the way in the automotive ecommerce arena.
The company is an active member of SEMA (Specialty Equipment Marketing Association) and the Better Business Bureau. Further, a good number of their sales team is ASE (Automotive Service Excellence) certified.
Timeline
1979-1997
AutoAnything was founded in 1979 by Selwyn Klein, who began as a manufacturer and retailer of Blue Ribbon genuine sheepskin automotive products. The company ran over 20 brick and mortar retail stores across the United States and supplemented its business with a catalog product campaign.
1997-1999
Selwyn was joined by his sons David and Trevor in 1997. Together, they set out to expand their company as an online retailer of automotive products.
2007
AutoAnything created and supported an eCommerce store for CarDomain under the brand name Ridepros. AutoAnything and CarDomain no longer work together on the Ridepros store and the site was turned into a news Magazine site for AutoAnything.
AutoAnything donated mechanics gloves to US Armed Forces, and in recognition of their contribution, SFC Michael J. DiNicola & Soldiers awarded AutoAnything an official flag flown during Operation Enduring Freedom on April 27, 2007.
2009
AutoAnything Selects Breach WebDefend for PCI Compliance, proactive security monitoring and brand protection.
2010
AutoAnything partners with StrangeLoop to speed up page load times on their website and improve the overall user experience.
AutoAnything Revs Up Authenticity and Authority with their brand new RidePros.com online community site. The site is geared towards sharing automotive enthusiast stories, road trip ideas, lists of the best driving tunes, and bizarre vehicle customization.
AutoAnything wanted a quick and efficient way to obtain reports and analysis on customers' experience as well as match the feedback to customers to address specific needs. Customer satisfaction has taken a front seat in today's tough economic and competitive climate and we are excited to be the engine that helps AutoAnything maintain their paramount reputation.
Competitors
* AutoZone
* JC Whitney
* Summit Racing Equipment

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