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| When a customer's DeWALT tool suddenly stopped working, he wasn't sure how to fix it himself. So he took it in to Waring Industrial Tool and asked them to repair it. Co-owner Bill Waring brought the tool back to his workshop, took one look at it and realized that it wasn't working because its switch was between two settings. Bill returned it to the customer, explained what happened (and how to use the tool), then sent him on his way without charging him a cent. The customer was so impressed with their honesty that he wrote DeWALT personally to let the company know how professional the guys were at Waring Industrial Tool. This level of professionalism is one of the main reasons why Waring Industrial Tool has been in business for more than 20 years. Their customers do business with them because they like the Waring brothers and trust them. |
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Waring Industrial Tool has been a fixture in their first and only location on Lincoln Avenue since 1979. Brothers Fred and Bill Waring started the business together, following the lead of their father, William, who sold supplies to contractors. Both brothers had finished trade school, where Fred learned to be a butcher and Bill an auto mechanic. After working for VW in Maywood as a mechanic for five years, Bill moved on to open Waring Industrial Tool with Fred. At first they offered repair services for industrial equipment and tools. Eventually, they began to sell the same types of tools there that they repaired for contractors in nearly every trade. Since it opened, Waring Industrial Tool has also been a member of the Lincoln Square Chamber of Commerce. As a past president for two years, Bill is still actively involved with the chamber. |
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| What started out as a family business has stayed that way—Fred handles all the sales and the front of the shop, while Bill does the repairs in their workshop. "I'm in charge up here and he is back there," laughs Fred. Bill's wife, Diane is their bookkeeper. Bill has been married to the business nearly as long as he's been married to Diane. "I got married in March and started the business in August," he says. Their employees have worked there for many years, so they are just like family, too. George helps with sales and repairs, and Mary works with Diane in the office. Bill's 20 year old son, Bill IV, has grown up in the shop and works there on and off while going to school to become a mechanic. He may join the business when he finishes school, depending on what he decides. "I guess that's the plan, if that's what happens," says Bill. "I won't pressure him, though. I want him to do what he wants." Bill has another 11 year old son, Karl, while Fred has a daughter, Sarah, who's 8 and a son Erik, who is 13. Both Bill and Fred were born and raised in the Lincoln Square neighborhood, in a home not far away from Waring Industrial Tool. Bill still lives in the neighborhood and is raising his family there. Fred lives with his wife, Patricia and his kids on Chicago's northwest side. |
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| Even the storefront at Waring Industrial Tool is serious. When the shop is closed, heavy-duty steel shutters cover the windows. Bill got the idea to install these special shutters after seeing them on his aunt's house in Germany. "No one has ever broken in," Bill says with a smile. Their location was originally a bakery, which the Waring brothers gutted and transformed into a workshop and warehouse. At the time, there were a few more industrial businesses on the block, including a nut and bolt warehouse that operated across the street. In the years they have been in business, Bill and Fred, have seen lots of changes in the neighborhood. "We're the oldest business on the block besides H.G. Riehn," recalls Bill. "We've seen bars, restaurants, shops come and go." |
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| The sense of humor that the Waring brothers share is evident as you look around their workshop. A huge wooden Eckrich sign that reads "Ye Olde Sausage Shoppe" hangs from the ceiling at the back of the room. The lower half of a mannequin dressed in work clothes dangles from a skylight above the shop. "This is the brains of the operation," Bill laughs. But just because the Waring brothers like to have a good time, doesn't take any focus away from their business. Take one look at how orderly their shelves of thousands of tools, parts and supplies are, and you'll realize why Waring Industrial Tool runs like clockwork. |
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In December of 2001, Waring Industrial Tool expanded its business when it became an official dealer of Weber grills. The brothers had been talking about offering the grills to customers for a couple years, ever since one of their sales reps took on the line. They thought grills would appeal to residents in the neighborhood, as well as to their existing customers. A number of the grills they sell are on display in the window of a second storefront a few buildings south that Waring Industrial Tools once shared with B & G Painting and Decorating. Although tools and grills may seem like a strange combination, the venture has been wildly successful. Since they started, they have sold many grills ranging from basic charcoal models to top of the line built-in units. Their approach to service has made them as successful at selling grills as they have been at selling and repairing tools. If you live in the neighborhood, Waring will deliver the grill you order the same day and assemble it for free. If they don't have what you want in stock, they will make a special trip to the factory and pick it up for you. "It's the simple stuff that makes a difference. People appreciate it when you take the time to explain things to them," says Bill. |
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| Aside from selling Weber grills, Waring Industrial Tools focuses on the service and sales of industrial tools used by trades such as pipefitters, plumbers and electricians. They carry tools from top manufacturers including Bosch, Milwaukee Electric Tool, DeWALT, Ridge Tool Co. and Channellock. But unlike most places that sell industrial tools, they service them too. "We service the tools right here—other places send their tools out to be fixed," says Bill. "The way we treat our customers is why we stay in business. We treat you with respect and we're there when you need us, unlike some of the big home centers." It's obvious from their business that they are doing something right. "We've never really advertised," agrees Fred. "All of our business has come from word of mouth through the trades." |
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| Waring Industrial Tool is located at 4524 N. Lincoln Avenue and is open Monday through Friday from 7am to 5pm. Everyone who wants to purchase industrial tools is welcome. If you're interested in buying a Weber grill, you can stop by during business hours or visit their website. |
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Waring Industrial Tool
4524 N. Lincoln Avenue
Chicago, IL 60625
773.728.1100
www.webergrillschicago.com |
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| Read more profiles in the Member of the Month Archives |
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