Brake & Equipment

What Brake & Equipment does

Brake & Equipment Warehouse is a privately held, Minneapolis-based full-line automotive parts distributor founded in 1969. The company originated as a brake specialty warehouse and has evolved over more than 55 years into a full-line automotive warehouse serving the Upper Midwest, including Minneapolis and greater Minnesota. Its operations are anchored at a single warehouse and showroom at 455 Harrison Street NE in the Beltrami neighborhood, open to both commercial accounts and walk-in retail customers.

The company's product surface spans two integrated lines. The first is retail and wholesale distribution of auto and truck parts — brake pads, rotors, drums, hoses, cylinders, and related components — sold through a physical counter and the B&E Direct online ordering portal (iautoparts.biz) that serves commercial accounts 24/7. The second is an in-house machine shop that performs custom friction work, CNC plasma cutting, water jet cutting of friction material, custom brake hose fabrication in rubber and braided stainless steel, flywheel resurfacing and grinding (including dual mass flywheels), drum and rotor turning, cylinder sleeving, brake shoe arcing, bonding and riveting of friction material, sandblasting, and custom brake line flaring. These machine shop capabilities serve both automotive applications (classic and antique vehicle restoration) and industrial customers in agriculture, cranes, elevators, dams, wind turbines, and ski lifts.

Brake & Equipment generates revenue through transactional parts sales, professional machine shop services, and a recurring commercial account program supported by outside sales representatives. The company is a member of the Federated Auto Parts network, offering qualified shops participation in the Federated Commercial Car Care Program with nationwide warranty, roadside assistance, and a locator service. Customer segments include Minneapolis-area automotive repair shops, individual consumers, fleet operators, classic car restoration enthusiasts, and industrial accounts. Ownership is independent and private, with no disclosed external investors, parent company, or public listing.

Name

Brake & Equipment

Legal name

Brake & Equipment Warehouse

Website

https://brakeandequipment.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1969

Operating status

Operating

Short description

Brake & Equipment Warehouse is a Minneapolis-based, privately held full-line automotive parts distributor and in-house machine shop founded in 1969, serving repair shops, fleet operators, classic car enthusiasts, and industrial customers across the Upper Midwest.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Automotive Parts Distribution and Machine Shop Services

NAICS

Motor Vehicle Brake System Manufacturing (336340), Commercial and Service Industry Machinery Manufacturing (33331)

SIC

Wholesale-Motor Vehicle Supplies & New Parts (5013), General Industrial Machinery & Equipment, Nec (3569)

akta.pro primary industry

Automotive Parts, Tires & Workshop Supplies Marketplaces (CRAFAHAD)

akta.pro secondary industries

Brake Friction & Rotors (Pads/Shoes/Discs/Drums) (IMACAIAE), Brakes, Steering & Suspension Services (TLAKAAAC)

Keywords

• Automotive parts distribution
• Brake system components
• Machine shop services
• Custom friction fabrication
• Commercial fleet parts

Headquarters

HQ city

Minneapolis

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Supply Chain, Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Auto and Truck Parts Sales: Full-line automotive parts distribution including brake components, rotors, drums, hoses, cylinders, and shop supplies. Both retail walk-in and commercial account channels.
2. Machine Shop Services: Custom friction work, brake restoration, custom hose manufacturing, brake shoe rebuilding, flywheel grinding, cylinder sleeving, and other precision machining services.
3. Commercial Account Services: Dedicated commercial account program (Federated Commercial Car Care) with B&E DIRECT online ordering, outside sales support, and tax-exempt ordering for qualified businesses.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Brake & Equipment Warehouse is a full-line automotive parts distributor and brake specialty warehouse operating from Minneapolis, Minnesota. The company distributes automotive and truck parts (brake components, rotors, drums, hoses, cylinders) and provides an in-house machine shop offering custom friction work, brake restoration, custom brake hose fabrication, CNC plasma cutting, cylinder sleeving, flywheel resurfacing, and precision machining services for automotive, industrial, and specialty applications. Commercial accounts are served through outside sales representatives and the B&E Direct online portal, while individual consumers are welcomed at the Minneapolis warehouse.

Product overview

Brake & Equipment is a brake specialty warehouse that has evolved into a full-line automotive parts distributor serving the Upper Midwest for over 55 years. The company operates as a two-part business: (1) Auto and Truck Parts Retail offering brake components, rotors, drums, hoses, cylinders, and general automotive parts through walk-in counter service and an online shopping portal (B&E Direct) for commercial accounts; and (2) an Award-Winning Machine Shop providing precision restoration services including turning brake drums and rotors, flywheel resurfacing/grinding, cylinder sleeving, custom brake hose fabrication, plasma cutting, sandblasting, and relining services. The machine shop serves diverse applications including classic/antique vehicles, agricultural equipment, industrial machinery, cranes, elevators, ski lifts, wind turbines, and trailers. Additionally, the company offers the Federated Commercial Car Care Program—a nationwide network providing repair facilities with warranty programs, roadside assistance, and promotional resources.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Auto and Truck Parts Retail Retail distribution of automotive and truck parts including brake pads, rotors, drums, hoses, cylinders, and other brake-related components serving walk-in consumers, repair shops, and commercial accounts in the Upper Midwest region.
• Machine Shop Services Award-winning machine shop providing custom friction work, brake restoration, custom hose manufacturing, brake shoe rebuilding, flywheel grinding, cylinder sleeving, CNC plasma cutting, water cutting, and precision part restoration services for automotive, industrial, and specialty applications.
• Federated Commercial Car Care Program Nationwide network program offering qualified repair facilities nationwide repair warranty, roadside assistance, free website, promotional materials, ASE certification reimbursement, and training resources for member commercial car care centers.
• B&E Direct Online Shopping Portal 24/7 online ordering platform for commercial accounts to access inventory, pricing, and ordering capabilities for automotive parts and supplies.
• Turning Brake Drums and Rotors Machine shop service that removes surface imperfections and restores smooth braking surfaces on drums and rotors when parts remain within safe specifications.
• Flywheel Resurfacing and Grinding Service restoring flywheel surfaces to smooth, even condition for proper clutch engagement, including dual mass flywheel resurfacing.
• Cylinder Sleeving Restoration service for master cylinders, wheel cylinders, and piston calipers that restores internal bores for proper sealing and hydraulic function.
• Custom Brake Hose Fabrication Custom brake hose fabrication in rubber and braided stainless configurations for restoration projects, modified vehicles, trailers, and off-road equipment.
• Custom Friction Solutions Custom friction material solutions for hard-to-find classic automotive parts and industrial friction applications including agricultural equipment, cranes, elevators, dams, wind turbines, and ski lifts.
• CNC Plasma Cutting CNC plasma cutting service for accurate metal fabrication of brackets, plates, and custom components.
• Water Cutting of Friction Material Precision water jet cutting service for friction material shapes without heat exposure that could affect material properties.
• Trailer Axle Assembly Trailer axle assembly services and components for trailer and specialty trailer applications.
• Relining Brake Shoes, Bands and Discs Service removing worn friction material and applying new material to brake shoes, bands, and discs for classic, antique, industrial, and specialty applications.

Named customers6 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature9 records

Partnerships

Four partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Federated Auto PartscoreGTM or Marketing PartnerFederated Auto Parts is a major auto parts distribution network. Brake & Equipment is part of this network and participates in the Federated Commercial Car Care Program. Federated Auto Parts sponsors Ken Schrader Racing at NASCAR Sprint Cup events and provides marketing support, nationwide repair warranty programs, and roadside assistance for qualifying commercial car care centers.
• Ken Schrader RacingminorGTM or Marketing PartnerKen Schrader Racing is a NASCAR racing team sponsored by Federated Auto Parts. Brake & Equipment supports local events with Ken Schrader, including NASCAR Sprint Cup events where the Federated car would make stops at their Minneapolis warehouse.
• Slugworks RacingminorGTM or Marketing PartnerSlugworks Racing is a Minneapolis-based ChumpCar team that competes in endurance road racing. The team was founded by John Bjerke and Paul Kruse. Brake & Equipment sponsors this local racing team as part of community engagement.
• Ryan Varner RacingminorGTM or Marketing PartnerRyan Varner is a local Minnesota racer who has competed competitively for 9 years. Brake & Equipment supports Ryan Varner's racing career at Raceway Park in Minnesota.

Scale indicators2 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Direct peers

• Federated Auto Parts: Federated Auto Parts is a major warehouse-distributor cooperative of which Brake & Equipment is a member. Federated operates a similar business model of wholesale auto parts distribution plus affiliated commercial car care programs, making it a direct comparable in both business model and customer base.
• Centric Parts: Centric Parts is a leading aftermarket brake-system specialist offering brake pads, rotors, calipers, and hydraulic parts through distribution to repair shops. It directly competes with B&E in the brake specialty aftermarket segment with deeper SKU coverage but no physical storefront or machine shop.
• PowerStop: PowerStop specializes in performance and aftermarket brake kits, rotors, calipers, and pads. It is comparable to B&E's brake specialty focus but focuses on performance upgrades rather than restoration, custom fabrication, or industrial friction applications.

Broad incumbents

• Genuine Parts Company (NAPA Auto Parts): Genuine Parts Company distributes NAPA-branded automotive parts through a national network of stores and distribution centers, including a heavy brake-system product line. As the largest US auto parts distributor, NAPA competes with B&E across both retail and commercial channels, but at vastly greater scale.
• AutoZone: AutoZone is the largest US specialty retailer of automotive replacement parts, with ~7,000 stores and a strong commercial program. It competes with B&E for both retail and commercial brake-parts sales but does not offer in-house custom machine shop or specialty friction fabrication.
• O'Reilly Auto Parts: O'Reilly Auto Parts operates ~6,000 stores across the US, including locations in the Upper Midwest where it competes with B&E. Its commercial program (O'Reilly Professional Auto Parts) targets the same repair-shop segment that B&E serves via B&E DIRECT.
• Advance Auto Parts: Advance Auto Parts runs a national chain of ~4,800 stores plus the Carquest distribution network. It competes with B&E in retail parts and serves similar commercial accounts, with broader geographic reach but no comparable in-house custom machine shop.
• Standard Motor Products: Standard Motor Products is a manufacturer and distributor of replacement parts for automotive, heavy-duty, and industrial applications, with a strong brake category presence. It is comparable to B&E because it serves both OE and aftermarket channels with brake-system components.
• Bendix (Knorr-Bremse / Honeywell): Bendix is a major manufacturer of braking systems and components for commercial vehicles, with products used across medium- and heavy-duty trucks. Comparable to B&E's commercial fleet brake business but at the OE/commercial-vehicle manufacturing tier rather than specialty distribution.

Emerging players

• EBC Brakes: EBC Brakes manufactures and distributes premium aftermarket brake pads, rotors, and calipers globally. It is comparable to B&E's brake-component distribution business but focuses on motorcycle, automotive, and performance applications rather than industrial friction work.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks7 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Brake & Equipment