In 1950, McCabe-Powers began a series of acquisitions which increased production capacity, opened new markets, and brought new industry to St. Louis.   In a period of mergers in which many St. Louis firms moved away, McCabe-Powers was bringing production to St. Louis from Ohio and California.  Purchases included American Coach and Body Company of Cleveland. Halline Equipment Company of Portland, Oregon and American Equipment and Body Company of Los Angeles.   All of these companies were consolidated into the St. Louis main plant and the Portland facility.

John J. Powers died in 1964.  A new management team was elected, with Robert J. Sonderman as Board Chairman and General Manager and R. Brooke Daly as President.   Mr. Sonderman retired in 1969, after 33 years of dedicated service to the company.