Eastern Automotive Warehousing/Auto Machinery - Autosphere

uy direct and have more competitive
pricing. They have a huge inventory,
so what we want is usually
always there.
“I really like it that Uni-Select is
a Canadian company as well as
doing inter-warehouse transfers. If
Brampton doesn’t have it, Montreal
will and they immediately send the
product to Brampton. We’re also
able to get product via quick-order
directly from the manufacturer.”
Numerous garage programs
“Uni-Select have numerous ‘garage’ programs—Select
Auto Expert is a great
program that allows a loyalty rebate plus
a good labour rate for warranty claims,
and it’s done right away, not six months
later. Merchandising aids are a welcome
addition, as is the Air Miles program.
Many programs are for our customers and
certainly help them out.
“Uni-Select have set aside room in their
huge warehouse and set up a fully
equipped shop with equipment and tools.
I can take my customers down there for a
demo, let them go through that shop to
see all the latest equipment. It’s a really
neat idea and good sales have been made
through that venue.
“I really like dealing with Uni-Select.
They’re more fl exible—they listen. I can
say, ‘Here’s what I want to do’ and run
it by them. They give me a pretty quick
answer and then go ahead and work with
us... that’s support.”
Getting ahead
Uni-Select helps their jobbers and installers
get ahead in business and to become
more successful. “DAVE, another program,
allows our customers to order online, to
access our stock,” says Brian. “Soon our
customers will be able to see the Uni-
Select warehouse stock. We can also order
electronically from the warehouse. Being
a Uni member also allows us to work with
National Accounts now and that’s been a
great asset.”
Brian told us that many things have
changed for the better over his 27 years
in business. “Catalogues were always a
pain to keep up with and now most manufacturers
have websites and Internet that
you can go to to get the most current information.
This is something we use many
times daily. McFarlane Automotive has its
own web page and I put all manufacturers’
icons on it so our installer customers
can access what we do—tech bulletins,
updates, etc.”
Aftermarket is quality
“The aftermarket is getting more quality
conscious. There aren’t as many ‘lemons’
today! Aftermarket was thought of as
lesser quality, but in a lot of cases it’s better
than OE—we’re fi xing the premature
failure parts. At McFarlane’s we believe
in brand name products—it removes any
doubt about what’s in the box!”
McFarlane Automotive has a training
room in their facility that holds 50 people.
Those attending trainings can walk around
the shop, look at inventory, and obtain a
good idea of what
McFarlane’s has
to offer and what
they do. Brian likes
this set-up stating,
“Educated customers
lower warranty
rates!”
PHOTOS: VALERIE KROPF
Training is big
Trainers for
McFarlane’s customers
are from
the many manufacturers
associated
ADVERTORIAL
with Uni-Select as well as special trainers
who teach courses like management. “As
well as our website, we also have marketing
classes for our shop owners to show
them how to be better businesspeople. We
tell them to push ‘maintenance’ to their
customers… stop the ‘highs and lows’ in
their business! We ask them to make appointments
for preventive maintenance
and book ahead, like doctors. The shop
owners/their technicians must keep training.
Technicians need to keep abreast of all
the new types of drive train management,
equipment updates, scanners, fl ashing information,
etc. to get ahead. Training and
correct equipment in independent repair
shops is vital today. The aftermarket will
continue to evolve so we must keep up.”
S N A P S H O T . . .
McFarlane Automotive
100 Bergey Court Unit B
ADDRESS New Hamburg, Ontario
N3A 2J5
PHONE 519-662-2063
FAX 519-662-6043
WEB www.mcfarlaneautomotive.com
EMPLOYEES 17
SIZE 11,000 sq. ft.
Sells various types of
trailers and parts, plus
EXTRAS a full line of industrial,
safety and maintenance
parts.
McFarlane Automotive had an Open
House/Trade Show at their new location in
New Hamburg and Brian says that about
750 people turned up—more than they
expected! “We gave away a fl at screen TV
set, a Wii Station, BlueTooth and a deluxe
4-in1 safety coveralls. About 50 prizes
in all were won. McFarlane Automotive
is a little different in that we sell trailers
(utility, ATV, car, equipment haulers, dump
trailers, enclosed trailers, etc.) plus trailer
parts. We also sell a full line of industrial,
safety and maintenance products.”
Looks like McFarlane Automotive has
come a long way from a ‘store on wheels’
back in ’82!
| www.autosphere.ca | December 2009 | CarCare Business | 21