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Company History

Power Brake and Spring Company was founded in May 1952 by Mike Kedik and Sam Strang in South Bend, Indiana. The company started by rebuilding power brake units and eventually expanded to include the manufacturing of steel leaf springs. Their original location at 3221 West Western Avenue was an old building with a rich history, rumored to have been used by Al Capone during the Prohibition era to transport alcohol between Chicago and Detroit.

Throughout the Fifties and Sixties, Power Brake and Spring experienced significant growth under Kedik and Strang's leadership. To accommodate this growth, the facility was nearly doubled in size during the Sixties with the addition of a long trailer and tractor service bay.

In 1973, William A. and Miriam Nolan purchased the business and the building from the founders, renaming it Power Brake and Spring Service Co., Inc. William Nolan, who had previously been the Executive Vice-President of Richardson Homes Corporation, made key changes to the company, including promoting Michael E. McKinnies from inside sales to General Manager.

Under the guidance of the Nolans and McKinnies, the company experienced substantial growth, driven by product diversification and aggressive marketing. Their management philosophy focused on maintaining low overhead, streamlining processes, providing excellent customer service, and taking care of employees. This successful formula continues to be honored today.

From 1973 through the fall of 1981, William A Nolan, III worked part-time on Saturdays, Holidays and Summer Vacations as General Labor, Shop Labor, Delivery Driver and Counter Salesperson.  In June of 1982 he joined the Big Eight accounting firm of Peat, Marwick & Mitchell (KPMG today) in Detroit.  Approximately two and one-half years later, he joined the company as Financial Controller in September of 1984. 

During the 1980s, Power Brake and Spring continued to grow, prompting a move to a new headquarters at 3015 West Western Avenue in 1985 while retaining the original building for shop operations. In 1986, the company modernized its operations by implementing the Karmak Software system, which computerized point-of-sale and inventory processes.

By the end of the Eighties, Power Brake and Spring operated from two locations in South Bend and an additional location in Goshen, Indiana. However, tragedy struck in 1989 when William A. Nolan, Sr. was diagnosed with cancer, leading to his immediate resignation. He delegated day-to-day responsibilities to his son William A Nolan, III. This created a void in the organization for a financial manager. Donald Walker joined the Company.  Mr. Walker, a CPA, was working as the Vice-President of Finance at Elkhart Door Company of Elkhart, Indiana at the time of his hire.  His work experience included several years with a major accounting firm in Dayton, Ohio.   

The 1990s brought continued growth, with the opening of a store in Westville in 1996. In 2002, the company seized the opportunity to move to Gary, Indiana. In 1999, a Rochester store was opened to better serve customers in the area, followed by a move to a larger facility in 2000. The new building, previously a farmer’s market, underwent renovations, with the team completing the project in 2015. In 2003, the Goshen store relocated to Elkhart to accommodate the city’s beautification efforts. The new location featured a 6,000 square foot building, which expanded by 4,800 square feet a year later.

In 2012, after a long search, the company purchased a 29,400 square foot building in an industrial park for the South Bend store, relocating in the spring of 2013. During this time, Power Brake and Spring recognized an opportunity in the Detroit Metro Market. With independent distributors exiting the market, the company opened its first CommPar store in Sterling Heights on October 1, 2012, followed by a second location in Romulus in 2015. Roger McIntosh, the first president of CommPar, played a crucial role in establishing the new venture, drawing on his extensive experience from previous roles in the industry.