Wolfe’s South Bend Auto Auction, which was founded in 1960, has been acquired by Great Lakes Auto Auction. The announcement was made recently by R. Tony Wolfe. Great Lakes Auto Auction is headed by principals Ryan Clark, president, and Chad Anderson, vice president, who are longtime operators of Greater Rockford Auto Auction in Rockford, Ill.

The South Bend facility was purchased by the Wolfe family in 2003, which also operates Wolfe’s Evansville and Wolfe’s Terre Haute Auto Auctions in Indiana. Tony Wolfe, the family patriarch and longtime industry leader, served as president of the NAAA in 1991 and was named an Industry Pioneer in 2021. Wolfe Auction operations are headed by Tony Wolfe’s sons Jeff and Dan Wolfe, who are joined by 13 members of the Wolfe family representing four generations who are involved in the Wolfe auction enterprise.

Earlier in the year, the Wolfe family made a strategic decision to focus on its two southern Indiana locations and engaged TPC Management Company to evaluate options for the South Bend operation.

“We are pleased to pass the baton in South Bend to Ryan Clark and Chad Anderson,” said Dan Wolfe. “We have watched their success at Greater Rockford over their many years there and know that both the auction and its customers are in great and capable hands.”

Clark indicated that the South Bend auction will be renamed Great Lakes Auto Auction and will continue holding weekly sales on Wednesdays at 1 p.m.  All members of the auction staff, led by General Manager Brandon Kieffer, will remain and services will continue seamlessly as the auction continues to provide a superior level of service to both auto dealers and commercial accounts in the Great Lakes region.

Like its affiliate auction, Greater Rockford Auto Auction, Great Lakes Auto Auction will become a member of the ServNet auction group.