Point Spring and Driveshaft Co.

American Truck Show, BDE Booth, 1973
"New" Clearfield Location circa 1976

Brake Drum & Equipment Co. was founded in 1951, in the Lawrenceville section of Pittsburgh, as a manufacturer of brake drums for the transportation industry. After a few years in the manufacturing end of the business, with limited success, the company refocused on the distribution of parts. The BDE focus was on brake related components. In a very short period of time, Brake Drum became known as the experts in the brake industry.
In the mid-1950's BDE opened their second location in Greensburg, PA.
In 1959, BDE opened their third location in Clearfield, PA.
In 1974, BDE opened their fourth location in Shinnston, WV.
In May 1976, the Clearfield location moved to a larger, more modern facilty.
BDE celebrated the New Year of 1989 by moving their Greensburg location to a larger, more modern structure.
Then in 1978, BDE opened their fifth location in Seneca, PA.
In May 1984, a large warehouse addition was completed at the Seneca, PA. location.
On June 1, 1987 BDE acquired Fleet Parts in New Kingstown, PA. which became the sixth location of Brake Drum & Equipment Co.
In May 1990, BDE built and opened up Brake Lining Supply which is a state of the art brake relining center, which is capable of producing tens of thousands of shoes per month.
In 1993, BDE opened its first location in Ohio, which was located in Brecksville. They quickly outgrew this location which then moved in 1995, to to its present site in Copley, a suburb of Akron.
On July 16, 1997, the assets of Brake Drum & Equipment Co. were sold to Point Spring & Driveshaft Co.
On July 2, 2001, the Clearfield location of BDE relocated to the Firemen's Industrial Park, 1/4 mile west of I-80 at Exit 19. This brand new building also brings full vehicle service to the Clearfield area for the first time. So far, this Service Center has 4 service bays, but there is plenty of room for future expansion.
On December 20, 2004, the Pittsburgh location of BDE moved to Sharpsburg, 3.5 miles away from the previous Lawerenceville location. This new building will bring full vehicle service to the Sharpsburg area in the future, and will be new for this particular BDE location.
On August 1, 2005, the New Kingstown location of BDE relocated to 2015 State Rd. Camp Hill PA, 17011. Approximately 10 miles from their previous location, which is roughly 3 miles from the Gettysburg exit on the PA Turnpike.
On March 6, 2006 the Akron location of BDE moved from Copley Township to their new location residing at: 1250 Triplett Blvd. Akron OH, 44306. The new location located on the corner of Kelly Ave. and Triplett Blvd. it is approximately 12 miles from the old building.
Currently all of the above locations continue to operate as Brake Drum & Equipment Co.

Published on: 2004-06-10 (3079 reads)

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