Ralph Grossman of New Haven, Indiana started AUTO BUMPER EXCHANGE INC. in 1957. At that time, he gathered up damaged chrome steel bumpers and made all the necessary repairs to those parts, as well as seeing that they were replated. He then marketed the rechrome bumpers to insurance companies. Insurance companies directly involved in repairing wrecked automobiles purchased the bumpers for use in restoring the damaged autos to pre-accident condition at a tremendous savings over using new bumpers.
As time went on, the demand for rechrome bumpers continued to grow. Delivery service was implemented at no additional cost. One pickup truck soon grew to three, and a 40-mile radius was the service area.
In the late '60s, auto manufacturers began using vulcanized rubber bumpers in place of chrome steel. Thought to be just a fad at the time, the plastics industry began to research the use of polyurethane in the manufacture of bumpers. This development came at a time when the U.S. Government was handing down requirements of better fuel mileage. The use of plastics increased, therefore the automobile became lighter in weight.
As plastic increased, so did the technology of repairing those parts when damaged in a collision. Seeing the need to change with technology, AUTO BUMPER EXCHANGE INC. changed as well. We then developed a successful way to remanufacture those damaged bumper covers and distribute them back to the automotive collision repair industry.
In the early '80s, the introduction of aftermarket sheet metal in the United States began. Domestic and foreign manufacturers began manufacturing replacement body parts such as doors, hoods, fenders, bumpers, and grilles. These parts were to become an important part of the collision repair industry accompanying the rechrome bumper.
Today, AUTO BUMPER EXCHANGE INC. continues to remanufacture auto and truck bumpers, as well as distribute new aftermarket parts.
Ralph Grossman retired in 1977, leaving the business in the hands of his son, Jerry R. Grossman, Sr., and grandson, Charles W. Lake. The business is still locally owned and operated to this day. We are not a subsidiary or division of any parent company. Ralph Grossman died in August of 1999. His philosophy and high standard of quality and customer service are still in use to this day.
With a fleet of 6 trucks and vans, we service the entire tri-state area, encompassing a 140-mile radius of Fort Wayne. Our product lines now include radiators,
air conditioning condensers, headlamp assemblies, bumper reinforcement bars, and pickup truck accessories. Our parts come with a limited lifetime warranty, and we are proud of our 95% fill ratio.
In 2006, we completed construction of a brand new, state of the art, 26,000 square foot warehouse in addition to our present warehouse which now gives us just over 50,000 square feet of warehouse inventory. |
