Award-winning distributor adds big expansion

Close to 800 visitors showed up at the recent grand opening of a warehouse addition at Peel Industrial Supplies in Brampton, Ont., in mid-September. The two-day event included meals for guests and numerous prize draws, as well as tabletop exhibits hosted by 45 suppliers.

Peel was celebrating the opening of a new 12,500 sq ft warehouse recently added to its Brampton headquarters, located in the Highway 410 and Queen St. area. The expansion doubles the size of the previous warehouse space, said Wally Mullin, president, and brings the total size of the facility to 30,000 sq ft. “We’ve come a long way since 1963,” he said, “and quite frankly, we were running out of space.” Peel now has over 50 employees and inventory has grown to over 37,000 SKUs valued at more than $3 million.

Peel’s ongoing objective is to have ample stock on hand to exceed customer’s expectations and to continue its dramatic growth. “I believe this kick-off, with a mini trade show, is the perfect way to celebrate our achievements,” Mullin said.

Peel has received several industry accolades in recent years in recognition of its achievements in the industrial supply market. It was a recipient of the Brampton Business Achievement Award of Merit in both 2000 and 1999. The honour is presented annually to a limited number of companies that have demonstrated responsible business leadership in Brampton and who continue to promote harmony within the community.

Peel is also the only Canadian company to have received a prominent Commodity Award from DaimlerChrysler Corporation in the Industrial Materials category. The award is presented to a small number of companies who provided outstanding supplier performance to DaimlerChrysler in 1999. Peel was the only Canadian company among three suppliers in North America in the Industrial Materials category to receive the award. In all, only 26 awards were given out amid the hundreds of companies that supply goods and services to the automaker. “We’ve worked hard to establish ourselves as a strong partner to DaimlerChrysler and several other leading manufacturing facilities,” noted Mullin. Peel is a key supplier for DaimlerChrysler’s Bramalea Assembly, Etobicoke Casting and Ajax Trim facilities in Ontario.

Peel, which was founded in 1963, distributes mill supplies, machine tools, precision instruments and quality tooling in southern Ontario. “I believe a focus on quality MRO products, competitive pricing and excellence in customer service is the foundation for our ongoing success and growth,” said Mullin.

Peel is a strong supporter of IDI Independent Distributors Inc. IDI is a Canadian buying group that permits access for independent distributors to a full range of brand-name products across the country at competitive prices. Its Mississauga office and warehouse represents over 1,800 worldwide suppliers of industrial supplies, power transmission and bearing products, and fluid power products. It was founded in 1981 by a group of industrial distributors that wished to retain their independence in a rapidly changing and dynamic marketplace. Today, IDI represents 135 locations across Canada, more than 1,000 employees and sales in excess of $400 million.

Wally Mullin serves on IDI’s board of directors and has chaired its vendor committee. “Strong strategic alliances with many world-renowned manufacturers have been instrumental in the ongoing success of our company,” Mullin said. By teaming with IDI, Peel has been able to submit bids on out-of-province integrated supply contracts and national accounts.

Peel isn’t resting on its laurels, however. The company has been working toward certification under the ISO 9002 Quality System, is enhancing its web site–www.peelindustrial.com–and also is working on an expanded 1,200-page product catalogue for 2001.