Tool Heaven
If
it's a good tool, they're stocking it
If
you live near Chicago, you're lucky enough to be within striking
distance of Berland's House of Tools. Its owners call it the
world's largest tool store. More than 25,000 tools are immaculately
organized and displayed in the company's 28,000-square-foot
Lombard, Ill., location. Palatine, Ill., is home to another,
22,000-square-foot Berland's. A third is in design.
A
visit to Berland's is pure tool heaven. You've never seen so
many cool tools in one place before. Dwight Sherman, Berland's
president, says he's committed to his customers-- and his inventory.
&qout;We've identified 50 trades and try to stock everything
they'd need to have in their trucks,&qout; Sherman says. "We
don't ever want to hear "You don't have this tool"
from a customer." That explains the $5 million inventory,
the huge selection of brands and models, and the amazing collection
of specialty tools in every category. Hand tools, power tools,
stationary tools, generators, compressors, blades, bits, accessories,
ladders, staging, toolboxes, pouches -- the list goes on and
on. Walk down any aisle and you'll see all the best options
in each category, side-by-side.
Laser
levels are bit as Berland's. Sherman says this is one of his
hottest categories of tools, and he's committed ample space
to the 17 different lines of lasers he carries. He says that
he likes to lead the way for his customers -- scouting out the
latest tools, then putting his money where his mouth is so you
can walk in and find them in stock, probably before you've even
heard of them. Because the store is located in the midst of
a number of major tool companies headquarters, Berland's often
sells tools nobody has ever seen or used before, as part of
a test market system. (That's worth a trip in itself.)
The
first thing you notice when you walk into Berland's is the central
service hub, where staff members call up inventory and tool
information on a number of computers, or from complete sets
of manufacturers' catalogs. It looks like a command post. All
the tool-filled aisles radiate from this circular hub. At the
back of the store are the large parts and repair counters, where
you can get stocked repair parts, or drop off a tool for service.
Berland's is an authorized warranty service center for 21 lines
of tools, but will repair just about anything.
As
well known as the Berland's stores are in Chicagoland, Sherman
himself has become something of a local celebrity. He's the
Tool Man on "Tool TV," the local cable show (WJYS-TV)
he produces, which is devoted entirely to the new tools he finds.
Next
time you're in the area, give Berland's a call at 888-807-6148,
or check out its web site at www.thetoolman.com.
| Berland's
president Dwight Sherman always has the latest tools on
hand. |
