Kitley’s Custom Exhaust and Auto moves and expands

Owner and operator Ken Kitley and wife Tracy contemplate where to hang their sign as their business moves into new digs.

by Bob Castle

Stockbridge residents may have noticed a flurry of activity at the intersection of Mich. 106 and Mich. 52 on the south end of town. That’s because Kitley Custom Exhaust and Auto is remodeling and moving into the building that once housed the Hybroco Company.

Owner and operator Ken Kitley, a veteran of the United States Air Force, started doing auto repairs in Stockbridge years ago when he ran Brown’s Muffler and Brakes. When that building burned, he moved the repair business to his home.

In June 2009, he moved again, this time relocating the business to Munith where the Kitley name is well known and respected.

At that time, as a one man operation, trying to keep the books and do the repairs, Ken contemplated shutting down. But his then fiancé and now wife, Tracy Sanders-Kitley, agreed to take care of the office work. That changed everything.

They relocated the business to the Lantis Plaza in Stockbridge in 2012.

Stockbridge residents may have noticed a flurry of activity at the intersection of Mich. 106 and Mich. 52 on the south end of town. That’s because Kitley Custom Exhaust and Auto is remodeling and moving into the building that once housed the Hybroco Company.

Soon after that, Steve Heyne relocated his Hybroco business to downtown Stockbridge, putting his property just north of Lantis Plaza for sale.

After several years, the time was right for Kitley to purchase that building and make the move.

Since they have remodeled the office spaces, they will have two offices to lease, plus three acres to allow for future expansion or new businesses.

In addition to offering custom exhaust work, Kitleys also repair autos, sell and repair tires, do welding fabrication, and camper and trailer repair. They also custom build log splitters and trailers.

Kitleys recently obtained a car dealer license and plan to sell cars at the business location.

They recently obtained a car dealer license and plan to sell cars at the business location.

While talking to Ken, one soon realizes that he is deeply committed to taking care of his customers. The couple plans to see where business takes them and to ensure that the needs of their clientele are met.