The early years.

In 1961 J.E. (Jim) Braas founded J.E Braas Company selling Warner Electric products out of his ingenious mobile storefront – the trunk of his car. By 1969 a continued tradition of ingenuity, flexibility and creativity had gained Braas a loyal customer following. J.E. Braas Co. grew to five employees, and quickly sailed past the million-dollar mark in sales.

With an automation boom that showed no signs of slowing down, J.E. Braas Company continued its expansion through the following decades. The company settled into new headquarters in Eden Prairie MN, and opened an office outside of Milwaukee. In 1978 Braas purchased a large warehouse. With more items in stock and ready to ship than many competitors, Braas became widely known for unusually prompt and responsive customer service.

Times of change.

Big changes came next. In anticipation of the increasing need for customization and tailor-made solutions, J.E. Braas Co. formed its Application Engineering department. J.E. also began his preparations for retirement, and launched the next phase of Braas history by selling the company to his employees in 1986.

In 1994 Braas Company achieved ISO 9002 registration and opened an office in St. Paul, MN. The company now employed 70 people. By 1997 that number had grown to 100 and in 1998 Braas established a web site with e-commerce capabilities and an intranet.

Today, the company that started in the trunk of a car operates in seven cities across the Midwest and Florida. Braas employs more than 100 people and works with more than 80 suppliers. The company has expanded its large in-house stock to be one of the most comprehensive in the industry, and the Braas customer service and Application Engineering departments have continued to win loyal enthusiasts. Braas’ painstaking concern for ethical and customer-centered business practices has remained unwavering.

Braas is still making history. Read about our latest news and events.