WHO WE ARE

Our Story

Our story began in 1980 when William “Bill” Downing, a manufacturer representative in the automotive aftermarket, bought a small warehouse in Barberton, Ohio (a suburb of Akron, Ohio). There he started a small company originally known as Mr. Concentrate, a business focusing on concentrated chemicals like windshield washer solvent and other cleaning products. Downing later partnered with long time business associate Cleave Johnson, combining their names (Johnson and Downing) to rename the company JohnDow Industries Inc. (JDI).

The business initially grew by selling interior protection products such as seat covers, steering wheel covers, and floor mats to independent repair shops. Then in the early 1990s, locally-based and world-renowned rubber companies, Firestone and Goodyear, reached out to JohnDow requesting a solution to an EPA mandate to replace current inground oil storage tanks. This led to the development of our aboveground used oil storage systems. At that point, it was clear our business’s relationship with the tire and rubber companies was becoming a catalyst for innovative shop equipment solutions in the automotive aftermarket industry.

Our new pursuit of offering fluid handling products (oil drains) to the automotive aftermarket began.

Since then, we have kept growing our Service Equipment product lines and developing unique and innovative solutions for repairers. These include introducing a full line of fuel handling products, shop equipment like hose reels and tire taxis, work lights and much more.

In the early 2000s, we introduced a new division, EuroVent, which offers a line of vehicle exhaust extraction equipment for repair facilities. Today, EuroVent has grown to one of the most widely used vehicle exhaust extraction systems within service lanes, heavy-duty facilities, municipalities among others.

Recognizing the lack of organized offerings of back shop service parts, supplies and TPMS parts, we established the Dynamic division in the late 2000s to remedy this long-standing problem. While the Service Equipment division focused on shop equipment, Dynamic provided a well-rounded offering to include small everyday parts vehicles need to get back on the road – and are easily lost by technicians.

Today, automotive aftermarket pros look to us for quality, innovative products and solutions for every need in professional repair facilities. Our products offerings have changed over the years, but our priority of treating our customers like family with exceptional service hasn’t, and never will.

*Cleave Johnson left the company in the early 2000s