Ulmer’s Auto Care established their rich heritage of top-quality service in 1936 when Bruce Ulmer Sr. opened a two-bay shop at 6389 Salem Rd in Anderson Township. He had a simple mission–to provide reliable auto repair and honest service.
Still standing today, the beloved family-owned station has grown into a regional chain, now servicing 11 communities throughout Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky. Ulmer's has also broadened their mission to revolutionize the automotive service experience, centered on their core value: do the right thing.
Rooted in this commitment to a customer-first approach, their longevity comes from consistently going beyond basic auto repair to establish trusted relationships with customers, employees and the community.
“Taking care of our customers, our fellow team members and the community has always been about providing the best customer experience possible. That's been passed down generation after generation; it’s very important to us,” says Ulmer’s Auto Care CEO Bryan Kauffeld.
Ulmer’s started its current journey in 1976. At the time, Bryan’s father, Greg Kauffeld, was a 16-year-old kid looking for his first job.
“He lived a block away from Ulmer’s, and it was the first place he stopped. Bruce Ulmer Sr. hired him on the spot, and the rest is history,” Kauffeld shares.
Greg bought the business from Bruce Ulmer Jr. in 1981, having been a mechanic there for five years. In 1990, he opened a second Anderson location at 6421 Salem Road. A decade later, Bryan graduated from Purdue University and joined his father at the Anderson shop—a decision both consider the best they ever made.
Their growth began in 2003 when they acquired their Milford shop. To ensure sustainable growth, Ulmer’s implemented the Entrepreneurial Operating System (EOS) with the help of Crystal Faulkner starting in 2022.
Kauffeld explains, “We created a leadership team, processes and implementation plans to grow and grow wisely.” This strategic approach allows them to identify well-established shops where sharing their processes and technology will support mutual growth.
Ulmer’s invests heavily in tools and talent, focusing on continuous training. Kauffeld states, “We've always been at the forefront of new technology, investing in state-of-the-art equipment for dealer-level diagnostics and repair.” Their team also employs ASE Certified Master Mechanics, providing comprehensive care for all makes and models.
Ulmer's enterprising expansions to Milford, Deer Park, Loveland, Montgomery, Blue Ash, Uptown, Florence, Southgate/Ft. Thomas and Norwood are grounded in customer service and culture. They prioritize character in hiring, guided by five core values: service, hustle, passion, excellence and doing the right thing. As Kauffeld notes, "We can teach the technical side over time, but it's harder to teach someone to be a good person.”
This focus on culture has led to exceptionally low turnover, with the company proudly retaining over 85% of employees from acquired businesses and growing from 10 employees in 2002 to over a hundred in 2026.
The goal is simple: “We really focus on making it the best place to work in our industry,” says Kauffeld.
“What I enjoy most is that I get to give a little bit of me back to my community where I grew up,” explains Ulmer’s Anderson shop manager, Steve Braun. “It’s about building relationships with a whole family, not just fixing cars.”
The original Ulmer’s Auto Care shop in Anderson Township is a testament to where they’ve been, where they’re going and the power of earning a community's trust.
It’s more than just a shop for Kauffeld. “It will always hold a special place for my dad and me. It's our flagship store, and it's where it all began. The loyalty within this community and their willingness to take care of you if you take care of them and tell their friends and neighbors is second to none.”
The sentiment is echoed by long-time customers like Kathie Hickey, founder of Streetside Brewery: “We’ve been using Ulmer’s Auto Care for over 30 years for our personal vehicles and over 10 years for our business fleet. The service is excellent and the price is always fair. The little extras like free transportation and coffee while you wait are also appreciated.”
Kauffeld has a deep appreciation for these connections. “I just love that I've been able to build relationships with generation after generation. I fixed the grandpa's cars, the dad's cars and now the son's cars,” he beams. “It just doesn’t happen very often in any business.”
At Ulmer’s Auto Care, it happens every day.
“Taking care of our customers, our fellow team members and the community has always been about providing the best customer experience possible.” –Bryan Kauffeld
“The service is excellent and the price is always fair. The little extras like free transportation and coffee while you wait are also appreciated.” –Kathie Hickey