The definitive journal for small business honors Car Keys Express among a small group of elite companies worldwide.
Louisville, KY, April 29, 2025—Car Keys Express, the US-based global leader in automotive key replacement, is a proud winner of Inc. Magazine’s prestigious Best in Business Award for 2024.
Inc.’s annual Best in Business Awards celebrate the exceptional achievements and contributions of founder-led companies that have brought significant disruption to their industries, ultimately achieving the role of industry leader.
Car Keys Express is no stranger to Inc.’s prestigious rankings. The company’s rapid growth has earned it six consecutive Inc. 5000 Awards celebrating the nation's fastest-growing private companies. The Best in Business Award puts CKE in rare company, as it joins an elite group of only 241 companies earning a spot on this year’s list—alongside renowned brands like Discord, Ancestry, and Impossible Foods.
“For over 40 years, Inc. has been committed to recognizing America’s most dynamic businesses and honoring the great work they do. These businesses are solving important problems and shaping the future of business in ways that will have lasting effects,” said Inc. editor-in-chief Mike Hofman.
Founded in 2002 by Mark Lanwehr, Car Keys Express was the first company to sell car keys and remotes online. Since then, the company has developed disruptive technologies and efficiencies in an industry featuring products used by most consumers every day. By offering consumers and businesses a simple and affordable alternative to traditional dealership replacement—where keys can cost as much as a smartphone—the company has redefined the car key replacement experience.
Beyond changing the key industry, Car Keys Express prioritizes community engagement through its “CKE Cares” initiatives supporting organizations like Family Scholar House, Freedom from Hunger, and Freedom Service Dogs of America. Lanwehr and his team have contributed thousands of hours of “sweat equity” and significant financial contributions to make a positive impact on the communities they serve.
"Winning the 'Best in Business' award from the leading journal of entrepreneurship is a milestone achievement for my team and me," said Mark Lanwehr, Founder and CEO of Car Keys Express. “It’s an honor to be recognized alongside so many great tech innovators.”
“I came of age in the '90s and dreamed of becoming a tech CEO. After starting my one-man business, I saw that advancements in car key technology could provide that opportunity. Five years later, I hired our first technician, marking the beginning of our journey to becoming the global technology leader in our industry.”
“Like the companies recognized alongside us, we’ve invented new technologies that have transformed the outdated dealership monopoly into products and services that are easy and affordable for customers. Our team’s creativity consistently places us on award lists with some of the most innovative companies today. This recognition from Inc. Magazine highlights our team’s hard work, affirms our strategic direction, and underscores our commitment to innovation that delivers value to our customers and creates lasting competitive advantages."
For more information about Car Keys Express and its many innovations, visit www.CarKeysExpress.com.
About Inc.
Inc. is a leading media brand dedicated to entrepreneurs and business leaders shaping the future. Its award-winning journalism reaches more than 40 million people monthly. The Best in Business award, one of Inc.'s prestigious recognitions, highlights companies making extraordinary impacts in their industries and communities. Learn more at Inc.com/Best-in-Business.
About Car Keys Express
Car Keys Express is the 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, including remote keys and smart keys. Car Keys Express offers a complete line of retail-friendly solutions to allow retailers to build a key replacement program or enhance an existing program. 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 continually recognized for excellence in the industry, winning Inc. Magazine’s, “Inc. 5000” in 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, and 2021, Inc.’s “Best in Business” Award in 2024, AAPEX "Best New Product" Award in 2015, 2019 and 2023, Ernst and Young Entrepreneur of the Year® in 2017, and EnterpriseCorp’s FAST Innovation Award Winner in 2017, among others. To learn more, visit www.CarKeysExpress.com.
Media Contact:
