After the Second World War, two things occurred that had a considerable effect on the natural gas industry: War-time embargos were lifted on the use of natural gas for fuel, and the availability of gas was increasing at a rapid pace throughout the Northeastern United States.

Frank Kern Jr. purchased Detroit Regulator Co. in 1946. At that time the company was a small machine shop producing a line of gas pressure regulators, a model airplane engine, and servicing the local auto industry. Although Kern was initially more interested in the small gasoline airplane engine, the popularity of model airplanes declined after the war. While the company continued to do machine works, its primary focus shifted quickly to regulator development and production. Detroit Regulator had been marketing gas pressure regulators since it was incorporated in 1930.

After the Second World War, two things occurred that had a considerable effect on the natural gas industry: War-time embargos were lifted on the use of natural gas for fuel, and the availability of gas was increasing at a rapid pace throughout the Northeastern United States.

Frank Kern Jr. purchased Detroit Regulator Co. in 1946. At that time the company was a small machine shop producing a line of gas pressure regulators, a model airplane engine, and servicing the local auto industry. Although Kern was initially more interested in the small gasoline airplane engine, the popularity of model airplanes declined after the war. While the company continued to do machine works, its primary focus shifted quickly to regulator development and production. Detroit Regulator had been marketing gas pressure regulators since it was incorporated in 1930.

Maxitrol's design team continues to create and produce inventive products including the 325 series regulators for use with 2 psi and 5 psi piping systems, the Selectra electronic gas flame modulation systems for direct and indirect fired heaters and, in 2003, the DFM series temperature controls for use with direct gas-fired modulating air heaters.

Maxitrol began distributing its products in the European market in 1965 when it opened a division in Senden, Germany, and increased its presence in 1993 by partnering with Mertik Regelungstechnik GmbH, located in Thale, Germany. New affiliate Mertik Regelungstechnik was reorganized and renamed Mertik Maxitrol. Today, Mertik attributes more than 95% of its sales to products developed since 1993 and holds 51 patents in 15 countries. The two company's product lines compliment each other with Mertik producing gas combination controls, gas safety products, and the new Plug1 gas convenience outlet. Maxitrol and Mertik often pool their talent for joint projects.