The award honors Louisville-area companies which demonstrate excellence.
LOUISVILLE, KY, December 6, 2017— Car Keys Express (CKE) has been named 2017 Business of the Year by Louisville Business First, the premier business publication and website focusing on local businesses across the country. Candidates for the award are considered industry-leaders in growth, innovation, and philanthropy. Mark Lanwehr, founder and owner, accepted the award on behalf of Car Keys Express during a ceremony at the Seelbach Hilton Louisville on Tuesday, December 5. Winners are chosen by a panel of previous award winners.
In his acceptance speech, Lanwehr said, “I’d like to thank my amazing team. They’re the ones who made all of this happen and did all the heavy lifting. They’re the real heroes. It’s my honor to accept this on their behalf. Their enthusiasm for excellence is just one of the reasons Car Keys Express has earned this prestigious award. This is for them.”
In 2002, Lanwehr started the company from scratch on his dining room table from his one-bedroom apartment in Louisville, KY. iKeyless would grow to offer consumers and businesses a more affordable and convenient alternative to replacing automotive keys and remotes.
Today, the company operates three divisions—iKeyless.com, Car Keys Express, and Solid Keys USA and is the only manufacturer of aftermarket versions of modern car keys. Additionally, the company invented automotive key recycling and introduced the world’s first and only Universal Car Remote and Universal Car Keys. With a three years sales growth of 144%, the company has become the world's largest key replacement company and a worldwide leader in emerging automotive key technology.
The Business of the Year awards began in 2004 as a way to honor Louisville-area companies that demonstrate excellence. Previous winners include Delta Dental, Heaven Hill Distilleries Inc., Churchill Downs, ZirMed, and Café Press Inc.
About Car Keys Express
Car Keys Express is a global leader in discount, automotive key replacement for businesses and consumers. The company invented the world's first Universal Car Remote and Universal Car Keys and is the only company that manufactures a full line of aftermarket versions of modern car keys, like remote keys and smart keys. Car Care Express, a division of Car Keys Express, offers mobile vehicle reconditioning service for businesses and consumers. Founded in 2002, Car Keys Express is recognized for excellence in the industry, winning Inc. Magazine’s, “Inc. 5000” Award in 2016, 2017, 2018, and 2019, AAPEX "Best New Product" Award in 2015 and 2019, EY Entrepreneur of the Year® for Manufacturing in 2017, and 2017 Business of the Year by Business First Magazine. To learn more, visit www.CarKeysExpress.com.
