They do so with some of the most high-end and high-tech equipment money can buy. Seriously, these guys do not cut any corners. Take balancing tires on wheels for example. Fastco owns 3 of the 4 Hofmann Geodyna balancing machines in Quebec. They cost $16,000 a pop! This ain't no Canadian Tire job...
Care and attention to detail are evident throughout the warehouses. Just look at the way the dollies are lined up in their own designated area. You can see pictures in the gallery of some pallets that are ready for shipping (the ones wrapped in plastic). Fastco has two shipping lines, one for smaller orders and one for the larger deliveries to dealerships, for example. To go along with shipping, they've got two assembly lines in the warehouse, one for each type of request. And if push comes to shove, Fastco can do 400 mounts in a single day.
Getting back to peace of mind, 40% of Fastco's revenue now comes from selling completed tire and wheel packages. In my opinion, this is the way to go. What with the tools they have on hand, who could possibly do a better job?
Selection and availability are rarely, if ever, a problem. At any given time, the warehouse stores 35,000 tires and 40,000 wheels. Speaking of the wheels, Fastco deals with nine different factories located in China, Taiwan, Korea and Thailand.
In a brief chat with Glenn Chaplin at the end of the day, he stated that the most crucial part of their business is that they have a hand in the design, manufacturing and distribution of the product. Obviously, manufacturing being done on another continent poses a small challenge, however, quality control at the warehouse is extremely stringent. On the subject of foreign manufacturing, Glenn foresees that as transportation and labour costs continue to rise the return of plants in North America could happen in as little as 10 years. Seems logical.
As for Fastco's future, Glenn hinted at new products such as forged alloys and even mentioned wheels made of carbon fibre. A new line of wheels is also in the works. The present is bright at Fastco and the hereafter looks to be even brighter.
The next segment will touch on Fast Wheels' racing team and more of their special equipment.
Care and attention to detail are evident throughout the warehouses. Just look at the way the dollies are lined up in their own designated area. You can see pictures in the gallery of some pallets that are ready for shipping (the ones wrapped in plastic). Fastco has two shipping lines, one for smaller orders and one for the larger deliveries to dealerships, for example. To go along with shipping, they've got two assembly lines in the warehouse, one for each type of request. And if push comes to shove, Fastco can do 400 mounts in a single day.
Getting back to peace of mind, 40% of Fastco's revenue now comes from selling completed tire and wheel packages. In my opinion, this is the way to go. What with the tools they have on hand, who could possibly do a better job?
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| Photo: Mathieu St-Pierre/Auto123.com |
Selection and availability are rarely, if ever, a problem. At any given time, the warehouse stores 35,000 tires and 40,000 wheels. Speaking of the wheels, Fastco deals with nine different factories located in China, Taiwan, Korea and Thailand.
In a brief chat with Glenn Chaplin at the end of the day, he stated that the most crucial part of their business is that they have a hand in the design, manufacturing and distribution of the product. Obviously, manufacturing being done on another continent poses a small challenge, however, quality control at the warehouse is extremely stringent. On the subject of foreign manufacturing, Glenn foresees that as transportation and labour costs continue to rise the return of plants in North America could happen in as little as 10 years. Seems logical.
As for Fastco's future, Glenn hinted at new products such as forged alloys and even mentioned wheels made of carbon fibre. A new line of wheels is also in the works. The present is bright at Fastco and the hereafter looks to be even brighter.
The next segment will touch on Fast Wheels' racing team and more of their special equipment.