The year 1930 held few good tidings for citizens of Corpus Christi, who joined countless thousands across the nation in the Great Depression.
However, that year on September 30th, in a two-car-deep, one-car-wide garage on what was then known as B-street, a new enterprise took an optimistic venture into those shaky and troubled times. Founded as the Fixit Shop, it would prosper and emerge as one of Corpus Christi's major industries. The firm began repairing domestic appliances, automobile electrical devices, and doing other odd job machine shop-type repairs. Original equipment included a few hand tools, an old Rahn-Larmon machine lathe built in the 1890's, and a pre-1900 vintage drill press. The first hoist was a chain block hung from a hackberry tree. Although V.A. "Dick" Bradley, Sr., Gail Bradley, and their father, H.L. Bradley, comprised the total initial work force, customer demand was there and the small quarters quickly became inadequate.
The firm moved to a frame building at 1618 South Staples where emphasis was placed on automotive-engine repair and rebuilding. Electric motors and magneto repair servicing soon became a significant part of business and the name was changed to Electro Mechanical Company.
Mrs. Marie Bradley, Gail's wife, and J.B. Funchus joined the management of the organization. Funchus devoted his archives to the electrical phase while Mrs. Bradley handled accounting and bookkeeping.
The company relocated to 603 South Staples a few years later, becoming Gulf Coast Armature works. Another expansion to meet growing business needs prompted the firm's move to 1513 Leopard in 1937; it was then renamed Bradleys' Motor and Armature Works.
As Corpus Christi's heavy industries began to arrive, such as Southern Alkali, Corn Products, and Pontiac Refinery – the corporation developed a sales and distribution division. "V" belts and ropes, sheaves, electric motors, generators, and control systems manufactured under the BMAW name were supplied to industrial customers in an increasing world of electrical motors, large and small.
Bradleys' relocated to its present site at 1920 North Port Avenue in 1947. It was a sight to behold, we feel sure, for those along the moving route to see a four wheeled open trailer going along the street with a man calmly winding a motor at a bench as the trailer was being pulled along the street by a pick-up truck. No time was lost in winding motors – large or small – during the move. That final move began its most impressive years of expansion and business growth. More employees were added as work orders grew. In 1946 Vaughan A. joined the organization to add his youthful enthusiasm to the family operation. He encouraged the addition of more modern technology, shop expansions, and other improvements.
Warren Spanutius, an electrical engineer, joined the firm in 1967 as a co-partner with Dick Bradley, Jr. Spanutius' addition helped the company handle increased technical demands for larger and more complex products and services.
In December 1988, the company was sold to J.L. Williams, Sr., Dick Jr.'s nephew. With Jim Sr. and his sons, Jim Williams, Jr. and Vaughan Williams, a new generation is carrying on the traditions that were laid out by the Bradley family, pride and commitment to quality service and products for their customers.
Today the original 8,000 square feet of shop on Port Avenue has been expanded to over 55,000 square feet. Bradleys' is now a recognized leader in all motor-repair fields and employs a staff of 100 people.
Motors are repaired and rewound in a range from a fraction of a horsepower to 25,000 horsepower. Cranes in the plant can hoist pieces of equipment weighing up to 120,000 pounds.
Immediate expansion plans began by acquiring one and a half acres adjacent to the present location. A 10,000 square foot high bay area was built to complement the existing building. Equipment such as a 12-foot vacuum pressure impregnation system was installed along with a 750 degrees F motor reclamation oven, 12' wide x 16' high x 21' deep. Motor sizes up to 25,000 hp @ 13,200 volts have been repaired at this facility. Repair work has come from Alaska, Mexico, Jamaica, and other parts of the world.