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Cutting Edge Tool Heaven
From Tools of the Trade, July/August
1999
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. "We've identified
50 trades and try to stock everything they'd need to
have in their trucks," 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 800-339-0026.
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