30 years of solutions: full-service approach makes Equipment World a leader.

• Author: Olson, Lorna
• Position: Advertorial

Equipment World Inc. was born in 1973 when Peter Knudsen and Jim Sutton started a small company with four employees in Thunder Bay. Knudsen saw a need for a local source specializing in material handling, storage, and packaging systems. Six months later, the company had outgrown its first home, and moved to a much larger location. Today, the company has branches in Sudbury and Sault Ste. Marie and Thunder Bay, and approximately 60 employees, as well as part-time and contract staff. Its main location at 988 Alloy Drive includes a 30,000-square-foot main warehouse.

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"We've been 24 years in our current location", says Peter Knudsen, president, noting that his company was one of the first to move into the Intercity area of Thunder Bay. He attributes the success of the company to a team concept in all areas, and the ability to offer a full-service approach to give customers the most efficient and effective solutions to their requirements.

Lyle Knudsen, Equipment World's general manager as well as a partner in the company, looks after the day-to-day business along with their team of key managers.

"By giving all our customers the commitment of personal service, and standing behind our products with local warranty, service and parts, we've established ourselves firmly as a leading supplier of fork lift trucks, shelving, mezzanines, storage products, and lift platforms," says Lyle.

"We are continually adding new products, and customizing to give our customers whatever they require for any particular application," he adds. "We aren't just a supply house; we want to stay one step ahead, on the leading edge. By offering solutions, through research and development, we've been able to grow our business."

While Equipment World started its roots as a northwestern Ontario company, it has since expanded to service all of Canada with quality products and service supplied from coast to coast. They are also seeing more and more business from the U.S. market.

In 1987, the Sudbury division opened. Fred Buchy, division manager of the Sudbury location, has been with the branch since its beginning.

Buchy says the most rewarding aspect of his job is the building of relationships with customers.

"We aren't just order-takers here," Buchy says. "(Customers) rely on us to bring them solutions. Because it's not just a routine job, it keeps things very interesting, very challenging. In most cases, the customer says...