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Updated: October 28, 2019 / 2019 Family Business Awards Honorees

Key Cars

Key Cars co-owners and siblings Jill Merriam and Jeff Merriam.

 

4th Place — 76-plus full-time employees category

Key Cars owns and operates several car dealerships throughout the state.

Recent accomplishments

Key Cars recently purchased Jackson Chevrolet, another Connecticut-owned family business. Jackson was owned and operated by TJ Jackson, also a third-generation family business owner. Our grandfathers even shared the same first name, Sam. The acquisition included both the business and the property.

We also broke ground on a major renovation to our Milford location. We are adding a 7,500-square-foot service department that will add 14 new service bays, a state-of-the-art car wash and two service drive lanes. We are completely reworking the entire site to allow easier access for our customers.

Finally, we are expanding and remodeling our showroom to make our customer’s experience even better. This year alone, we have invested $12 million to support our Connecticut-based businesses.

How do you remain competitive in the market?

Consumers have access to more car pricing information now than they’ve ever had, but are more confused than ever. We do not play pricing games and stick to our mission of being solution providers and not product pushers. We find that over 50 percent of our customers come to us because they have a problem they want to solve and need guidance. We provide a service that customers are willing to pay for.

We remain competitive by being transparent, educational and available. Much of our business comes from referral and word of mouth.

How do you instill your family values in your employees?

The first step is to be very clear about our values. Our values are to be kind and uplifting, to always be learning and to act with grit and determination.

When we hire someone, our primary concern is that they are a values match with us. No matter how skilled someone is, if they aren’t a cultural fit, it will not work.

In order to make sure our family’s values stay intact as we grow, they have to be reinforced every single day, in every single interaction. We also ensure our employees are well cared for through excellent compensation, birthday celebrations, performance recognition and a first-class, black-tie holiday party.

Return to HBJ’s 2019 Family Business Awards landing page

Key Cars

Industry: Car Dealerships and Automotive Financing

Year Founded: 1950

Founder: Sam Merriam

Generation Currently Running Company: 3rd

No. of Full-Time Employees: 180

No. of Part-Time Employees: 5

Family Members Currently Employed at Company: Jill Merriam, Co-Owner, Sister; Jeffrey Merriam, Co-Owner, Brother.

Company Website: keycars.com

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