Midpoint Bearing (USA; website; 5251R9N7) is celebrating 2010 as its 25th anniversary in the bearing distribution and service business.

The company traces its routes to a manufacturer's rep agency started by Bill Smullin in 1976.

But in 1985, Midpoint Bearing evolved as a bearing distributor and service warehouse with a single location in Upland, California. In 1999, the company outgrew that facility and moved to its current headquarters location in Ontario, California.

Shortly after that, in 2000, Midpoint opened a branch in Corona, California.

As it continued to grow, Midpoint branched out into the lower Midwest, opening a location in Converse, Texas in 2007. This year, Midpoint opened its fourth location, a new branch in Oklahoma City.

The company employs approximately 30 people; sales are undisclosed.

Midpoint's primary target markets are electric motor repair, wind energy, steel finishing, and small- to medium-sized OEM businesses.

Midpoint's owner, Dan Vest, told eBearing why the company decided to move into the Texas / Oklahoma markets: "They both had easy to deal with state governments, as well as heavy contingents of wind and electric motor repair customers."

Mr. Vest indicated Midpoint has no plans to expand further east, but is considering the possibility of future branch operations in the upper Midwest.