–by Mary Helen Darah
PUBLICATION DATE: Oct 16, 2018

I know a thing or two about Brian Darah. I know the life-long Sylvanian loves his wife of 37 years, Faye, and their three daughters; the Ohio State Buckeyes and fishing (Yes, in that order.) I also know that his support of Sylvania’s high schools and other local organizations over many years is greatly appreciated by the community. What I never knew or understood is the history and services provided by his company, B-W Auto Supply, until now.

A history lesson

The company was founded by Bert Wonell in 1949, hence the B-W name. He carried one paint line that eventually grew to other offerings including the giants of the auto paint manufacturers, BASF and PPG Auto Finishes. The company flourished and opened two additional locations. In 1972, after 23 years in business, Bert Wonell retired. He sold his company to Darah’s uncle, George W. Tanber, who moved the company to 3101 W. Sylvania during the blizzard of 1978. Darah joined the business in 1978.

“As a graduate of THE Ohio State University, I began at B-W as a driver and learned the business from the ground up,” he said. “I then became VP of B-W when I purchased 20 percent of the business. My Uncle George retired in 1987 and I bought the remaining 80 percent of the business. I consolidated the business in 1993 and moved both stores to our current location on North Holland-Sylvania Road.”

Keeping it local

B-W Auto Supply is the largest auto paint distributor in northwest Ohio with an estimated 40 percent of the market share.                                                                                                                                                              “In addition to being an automotive paint and equipment distributor, we also are a detail and janitorial supply distributor,” Darah said. “Our main clientele are auto body shops and car dealerships. The research and development for BASF refinishes and the national training center for the company is in Whitehouse, Ohio, which gives B-W a big plus in having everything right here in town. I can get the chemist who developed a product right into a local shop and work with the painter. Toledo metro is often used as a test market for their latest products.”

Darah is proud of the fact that most of the supplies he buys are from local or Ohio companies. “Our janitorial supplies come from Spartan Chemical, whose world headquarters are in Maumee,” he said. “If we can’t support companies in our local area, we at least try to support Ohio. We are the only Sylvania-owned and operated paint distributor and supplier in northwest Ohio. All my competition is either publicly held companies or national chains. The money stays here in our community by supporting local businesses.”

Even though B-W offers free delivery service to its customers and does so two-to-three times a day, the majority its store customers are the owners and operators of local body shops, who enjoy visiting the store.

“They like to tap the expertise of our paint and supplies staff,” Darah said.                                                        Another plus of having a local auto paint and supplies store is that car hobbyists and technicians who do things for friends have a place they can buy their supplies and get advice, according to Darah. Also, he said, most car detailer distributors sell their supplies from a truck, not a store front, another plus for B-W.

Uncertain future

Like many older industries, things have changed in the auto paint and supplies business so Darah, 64, is not sure what the future holds

“The future is kind of difficult to predict,” he said. “It needs to be written in pencil. The market is changing. Fewer cars are getting repaired because many are being totaled. If you get into a 15 mile-an- hour crash with airbags deployed, you already have $15,000 in repair costs. The other challenge is that there is a big shortage of auto body technicians. In fact, many businesses are having a tough time finding technical people. I wish more millennials would go into the field.”

On a positive note, the family-owned business has welcomed a member of the next generation. Brooke Darah Payzant is serving as a sales representative specializing in detail and janitorial supplies for the business.                                                                                                                                                                                  “I took over the business from my uncle and now I have my daughter working in the business. That means a lot,” said Darah. “It’s been rewarding seeing the business grow over the years and being fortunate enough to give back to the community. I truly appreciate the loyalty of my employees. [Store manager] Doug Leestma has been with us 44 years and [purchasing manager] Kent Fowler has been us for 45 years, something you rarely see anymore. We also have the loyal customers who see the value of working with a local company. So, all-in-all it’s been a great ride, and I’ve really enjoyed it.”