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It’s one of the most highly-anticipated days of the year for everyone in and around Portage la Prairie who needs tools, likes to have the latest tools or simply wants to make their work or hobby project a little bit easier.
Once again this year, Western Bearing and Auto Parts will be hosting a Fall Open House that features discounted Milwaukee tools as well as products and expertise from several other vendors. It’ll take place at the store’s location at 223 Saskatchewan Ave E in Portage between 7:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. on October 24th.
The event continues to be so popular, explains owner-operator Doug Borland, that customers plan their purchases well ahead of time.
“I think people have become conditioned to it,” he says. “If they come in a week or two before the sale I’ll often tell them to just hold off because, while I can give you a good price today, some of the deals I can’t offer until the Open House.”
It’s an honest, customer-centred approach to business, but Borland points out that sincere, values-driven interactions have been key to Western Bearing’s long-term success.
“Our business wouldn’t be as successful today if we didn’t have a lot of the return business that we enjoy, that’s for sure,” he says.
As one of Milwaukee’s largest stocking distributors in Manitoba, Western Bearing is able to offer a wide selection of the brand’s quality tools throughout the year. What makes the Fall Open House special is that the store compiles Milwaukee’s discounts and then offers them all at once at the lowest possible price.
Given Western Bearing’s 14,000 sq ft and breadth of inventory that includes almost everything Milwaukee makes, the store has a unique and mutually-beneficial relationship with the manufacturer – one that pays off for customers at events like the Fall Open House.
“We do our best to stay on top of all Milwaukee’s new releases, which is a challenge in itself because they’re innovating so quickly and releasing so many new tools,” Borland explains. “We’re an official Milwaukee partner, which is a difficult designation to get. But we give them a lot, and they give us a lot in return.”
On October 24th, six Milwaukee reps will be onsite. They’ll perform demos, and with a qualifying purchase customers will be able to take home free batteries and bare tools.
“We’ll have some other vendors here as well,” says Borland. “They’ll set up tables and offer promos, but they’re also very knowledgeable about their products. Customers will get deals but good product knowledge as well.”
Borland says people from throughout the province, and even some from out of province, make a point to show up for the Fall Open House. But even if a customer is just curious to see what’s going on, he invites them to come down to the store.
“We have an awful lot of products here that some people just realize we carry,” he says. “It’s good for people just to come out and see the store.”
Anticipating the usual sell-out of certain promo items, Borland suggests those planning to purchase a promo tool to get to the store early.
Western Bearing & Auto Parts is located at 223 Saskatchewan Ave E in Portage la Prairie. They can be reached by calling (204) 857-7821, and additional information as well as a Parts Search Tool are available on their website. The Fall Open House will take place October 24th between 7:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m.
