Kerry Brothers Truck Repair, a Detroit-based fleet maintenance and bus repair operator, has acquired Downriver Truck and Bus in Brownstown, Michigan. The acquisition is part of a series of expansions that represents a growing regional network for school bus operators in Wayne County and beyond.

Downriver delivers a full range of bus services offered at its Detroit bus garage, with years of school bus expertise. Its experienced team of technicians brings deep knowledge of school bus maintenance and the certification-ready standards and practices required by the state of Michigan. The acquisition cements Kerry Brothers’ position in school bus service across southeast Michigan and extends the company’s footprint south into the Downriver communities and Wayne County.

Along with more locations, the company said the acquisition also means it can offer more diagnostic tools and quicker repair turnaround. It also provides shuttle services and yard checks.

Certification-Ready Standards for Michigan School Buses

To ensure the school buses it works on will pass annual inspections, Kerry Brothers and Downriver will perform a pre-inspection before they are inspected by the state each year. Then, they complete any needed repairs based on that inspection list.

The company also offers up its facility for the state's school bus inspection division to perform the annual state mandated safety inspection for itsschool district customers.

A Growing Parent Company

Combined with the acquisition of Vehicle Clinic — a 40-year mass transit and municipality bus specialist — plus the existing Detroit Bus Garage, Kerry Brothers now runs one of the largest independent bus service networks in southeast Michigan.

In addition to Downriver and Vehicle Clinic, Kerry Brothers also acquired Kustom Truck & Trailer for heavy-duty truck and trailer repair expertise, along with opening a new 20,000-squarefoot facility in Wixom.

"We are expanding in every direction — growing our footprint, the range of vehicles we service, and the customers we can support, from heavy-duty trucks and trailers to mass transit and school buses," said Bill Kerry, owner of Kerry Brothers Truck Repair. "We are building the kind of maintenance partner Southeast Michigan deserves.”