Commercial Equipment Repair, Inc. was founded in 1986 by my grandfather, Larry Layden. His journey in equipment repair began even earlier, when he moved to South Bend from Florida in 1974 and worked on printing presses. At that time, he serviced all of the Insty-Prints locations in the area, including the downtown South Bend shop that still operates today.
As printing presses started becoming obsolete, Larry looked for an industry that would always be in demand. He chose refrigeration. After answering a South Bend Tribune ad for a company called Refrigerated Services, he interviewed over the weekend, received a call that Monday, and was hired on the spot. He worked there for ten years as a technician, and as the owner was often absent, Larry found himself essentially running the business. That experience led him to take a leap of faith and start his own company, Commercial Equipment Repair, Inc.
Nearly 40 years later, he still proudly serves locally owned businesses at 81 years old. His longtime clients include community staples such as Barnaby’s Pizza, Cosimo & Susie’s, and the South Bend Farmers Market.
I began working with my grandfather when I was 13, helping out on and off over the years. In 2020, I started working part-time whenever I could, and in November of last year, I transitioned into a full-time role. I’m honored to continue building on the legacy he created and serving the community he’s supported for decades.
- Aaron Winslow, Manager
