About us

BEAR AUTOMOTIVE EQUIPMENT is a fully integrated service equipment manufacturer. With full engineering capability to design cutting edge automotive service equipment such as wheel alignment machines using the expertise of renowned Swiss and US engineers. All alignment equipment is made in the USA employing our state of the art HAAS-Precision machining center and production facility in Kalamazoo Michigan. All materials machined for our alignment equipment are sourced in the USA through exclusive partnerships with major aluminum extruders and steel distributors.

History

We had come a long way; the founders of BEAR were brothers Will and Henry Damman, who went on to build the company that was incorporated in 1917 to design and manufacture auto equipment. The Happy Bear was with them from the earliest days. The accepted version of the little guy is based on a vintage slang expression, “It’s a bear!” Nowadays, of course, that would mean it’s a tough job, but over 100 years ago, it referred to a product that was rugged and top-quality. Will Damman thought it a perfect symbol for his top-quality company. The Damman brothers deserve the credit of being the Inventers of the wheel alignment equipment

Since then, the company and the BEAR brand itself, were sold and transferred to multiple owners and entities.

Today BEAR continues as  an integrated manufacturer of service equipment  located in Kalamazoo, Michigan. Our  production is designed, machined, assembled and tested in the United States.

BEAR has been a leading brand in the automotive industry supplying quality products for over 100 years and we are very excited about our next 100 years

Below is a timeline of our heritage:

 
  • bear history

    1917s

    Wheel alignment was born. We created the first mechanical aligner in the world - the "Toe-In Bar Gauge as well as the First Camber - Caster Alignment Gauge.

  • 1930s

    By the mid-1930s Bear had established a North American branch network of factory shools. Numerous private schools also taught principles of wheel alignment and steering geometry.

  • 1930s

    Wheel balancing machine

  • 1940s

    We introduced the Toe System Projector. Shown above is driver Duke Nalon and his “Marks Special” positioned on Bear’s No. 90 wheel, steering, axle and frame alignment service rack.

  • 1950s

    We Introduced the first Electromechanical aligner (Telaligner)

  • 1970s

    The telatronic electrical Centerline Aligner  is introduced.

  • 1984

    We developed and introduced  the First  Computer Based Aligner - Dimension 4.

  • 1990s

    We developed and patented the CCD Technology in Wheel alignment.

  • 2004s

    Introduced a totally new Generation of Wireless Wheel Alignment systems based on Smart Machine Logic Technology : SML

  • 2005s

    Introduced the i-Mote wrist top alignment assistant.

  • 2009s

    Introduced the SBA Single Bay Alignment machine – the predecessor to the SML aligner.

  • 2009-2010

    Creation of our State-of-the-Art Haas Precision CNC and vertical manufacturing center.

  • 2010s

    We brought our innovative, unique design,  Spider Clamps to the market.

  • 2011s

    We enhanced our SBA aligner with Heavy Duty Truck and Bus aligning capabilities.

  • 2012s

    Bear is awarded the Patent for the MBA Multi-Bay Alignment system.

  • 2014s

    Introduced our high-end Bear Robotics  Wheel alignment system

  • 2016s

    Cartek is awarded the prestigious Innovation Award in the tire and wheel category for Cartek Robotics from Professional Tool and Equipment News magazine .