In
1918,
E.H.Burrell Co. in Salem, OR got its start servicing batteries
on agricultural and automotive equipment. Through the 1920s, ‘30s,
‘40s and ‘50s, E.H.Burrell Co. expanded its menu of repair services
and locations, and also became an auto/industrial parts source
throughout the Willamette Valley.
In
1952, E.H.Burrell Co. opened a small engine/equipment service
department in the Salem location. They also began distributing
Lauson Power Products (Tecumseh), Briggs & Stratton, and Kohler
to other dealers in the Willamette Valley. Wisconsin, Onan, Lister
and Homelite Construction were also among the parts and service
available from E.H.Burrell during this era.
Operation
of E.H.Burrells new department lead to the recognition of a need
for a dependable, quality L&G parts source in the Northwest.
In 1979, a handful of E.H.Burrell staff was selected to pioneer
a new company venture…a comprehensive L&G distributorship
project known as "Power Equipment Systems".
Power
Equipment Systems and E.H.Burrell Co., still sharing the original
building in downtown Salem, were displaced in 1985 to make room
for a new shopping mall and parking structure…a benefit in disguise!
PES had just acquired distributorship rights to the Tecumseh product
line, and a new location/larger building for the expanding companies
was sorely needed.
In
1989, with acquisition of more products and territory, PES opened
a second warehouse branch in Seattle, WA. In 1991, PES purchased
the former Equipment NW distributorship (also in Seattle) and
absorbed the additional products into the Salem and Seattle warehouses.
By
1994, PES had already outgrown the capacities of both the Salem
and Seattle buildings. "Split-Shipments" of orders and
"dual-stocking" of inventories was not only a hassle
for ourselves and our customers, it was also becoming very costly!
Increased service performance by parcel carriers enabled PES to
close the Seattle branch and still provide fast delivery to our
customers in the surrounding areas. Seattle warehouse inventory
and staff were combined with that of Salem into a new, larger
Salem,Oregon location.
4
short years, 2 new territories, and 5 additional product lines later,
it was time for a growing PES to shed its skin again…we had already
outgrown our new building. In order to continue providing (and improve
on) the high levels of services our vendors and customers expected,
some major changes were in order…
In
September 1998, PES finished an 18,000 square foot expansion/remodel
of their existing 17,000 square foot building. The custom expansion/remodeling
project involved planning features for more efficient warehousing/distribution
functions as well as adjustable floor space for expected future
growth.
Please
come and visit…we’re very proud to show off what you have helped
us achieve!
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