Keystone's History
Celebrating 38+ Years of Innovation
In 1986, Keystone Retaining Wall Systems was incorporated to develop and manage the growth of a new and innovative landscape product. Paul Forsberg, a landscape contractor in Minneapolis, Minnesota, envisioned and initially created this retaining wall system to meet the needs of material durability, design flexibility, ease of installation, and cost effective solutions.
Keystone personnel made the first product by hand.
Introduced to concrete producers, contractors and design professionals, Keystone products quickly became the watchword for a new industry. From that humble inception, the Keystone brand and product has spread around the globe and now encompasses multiple production facilities in almost every state of the United States, as well as production in over 20 countries worldwide.
Innovation has always been the heart of Keystone and the driving force that has led to the creation of over 60 new products for the landscape, retail, commercial and government market segments. These products are backed up by over 130 Trademarks, over 150 products and over 500 patents in Keystone’s intellectual property portfolio. As a reflection of our complete hardscapes offering, we have introduced Keystone Hardscapes as the brand that best articulates the expansion of our product portfolio.
Through more than 38 years of product growth, Keystone and its network of producers have become the world’s leading source of segmental retaining wall and landscape systems, and the industry leader in the development, marketing, and sales of concrete hardscape products. Over 1 billion square feet of Keystone’s product portfolio have been sold.
In 1999, Keystone Retaining Wall Systems, Inc. was acquired by Contech Construction Products out of West Chester, Ohio. Contech and Keystone had an ongoing business relationship from Keystone’s early beginnings, with the use of Contech’s soil reinforcement products and services. It was a natural joining of the two companies, which continue to collaborate to develop greater site development products and solutions within the United States and Latin America.
In 2016 Keystone Retaining Wall Systems LLC was acquired by The Quikrete Companies. Over the last 15 years, Quikrete has acquired numerous paver and block companies and has built a network of over 100 plants spanning the width of America. Leveraging the brand awareness of Keystone, Quikrete has branded their hardscape wall and paver business units Keystone Hardscapes. Keystone Retaining Wall Systems is integral in providing engineering, sales and technical support to the vertically integrated Quikrete companies as well as their licensing network of over 30 independent producers.
Keystone’s success can be attributed to many things, including: innovative product development, top-notch engineering solutions and design tools, marketing solutions to build brand awareness and generate demand, knowledgeable sales professionals, and a global network of the finest manufacturers of concrete products.
Keystone looks to a future where the company continues to redefine the industry, add to its long line of inventive products, expand its range of green building technology, and strengthen its worldwide network of manufacturers, contractor/dealers, and retail distribution. The passion and dedication of many individuals has and will continue to ensure that Keystone products and services are the best site solutions available.
