About K-S Auto
Parts, parts, and more parts are how I would best describe my introduction to Keith and Terry Samrany's K-S Auto Stores. If you need a part to complete your classic, muscle car, or street rod, you can get it at K-S! Keith has been involved with cars, trucks, and machinery since his childhood. When you grow up on a farm, you need these skills. After high school he started working at a dealership in the body shop. He earned his journeyman card and mastered his collision repair skills. Like many of us Uncle Sam beckoned Keith to be all he could be in the Army! After his tour of duty Keith worked at a Chrysler dealership for a few years, then he ventured out on his own.
In 1968 Keith and his new bride, Terry, borrowed $5,000 from Keith's father to buy an existing mom-and-pop parts store in Buffalo, New York. In the early 70s Keith moved the store into a 4,000-square foot building. Next came an 8,000-square foot facility, and in 2000 they moved into their new 14,000-square foot building in Tonawanda, New York.
The new store has everything-400 product lines with over 35.000 SKUs (that's parts talk for stock keeping units). Being street rodders, we saw all the brands that advertise with us and even more stuff for trucks and sport compacts. The showroom is spotless, and we had a great time just walking the aisles and looking at all the trick parts.
Selling parts is an important part of K-S's business, but it goes much deeper. They also build engines of all types, offer full machine shop services, and travel to a bunch of car events throughout the Northeast.
His staff is made up of real car guys! Gary Wylie, Dave Malak, and Brian Sparks operate the store and take excellent care of K-S's customer base. The customer is always first in Keith's mind. An elaborate computer system helps keep inventory in check and manages the day-to-day business needs. The new chapter of KS-Auto started in 2010 when Gary took over the store from Keith after working for him for many years. Keith decided to turn the business over to Gary after retiring. Gary decided to take the business in a different direction and added 5 service technicians, retail car sales and keep the 5000 sqft parts showroom open. Our staff is still made up of real "Car guys" that are motivated, knowledgeable and outgoing with years of experience. Eric Lagace, Mike Phillips and "Pops" run the parts store. Our service department is run by shop manager Corey Zientara, along with John Mcgowan, Brian Erick, Don Lillis and Alex Ostrowski.
Next time you're in the Western New York area stop in at K-S and meet the guys and gals that make K-S a force to be reckoned with in specialty auto, truck, and sport compact parts.