Home Ideas.2.6 - Nordstrom`s Automotive

FEATURED BUSINESS
Nordstrom’s owners, managers and supervisors
NORDSTROM’S AUTOMOTIVE, INC.
WWW.NORDSTROMSAUTO.COM
605.594-3910
Nordstrom’s has been in business since the late 60’s. Nordstrom’s Auto Recycling started to develop on the family dairy farm that has been in the family since 1948. Art and
Marie Nordstrom began their life on the farm just after being married in 1964. Art was
always a hot-rodder, and known by many as “Jackrabbit Arty” for his hunting exploits.
Art and Marie took on the responsibility of the farm business in 1967. When the farm
needed a truck, they did not have the needed credit to secure a loan to buy a truck. Art
WWW.EWEPULLET.COM
had an idea; being a regular customer of the local salvage yard “Arndts Wrecking” led
him to spotting a wrecked green 1968 Ford Pick-up that could be repaired. He bought
this truck from the salesman Marv and repaired it with his old “Hot Rodding” skills. After
one year of use, he saw an opportunity to sell this Ford to a neighbor, and did so and
found there to be a small profit. Well one thing led to another, and many Ford Pick-ups
WWW.UNDERTHEHOODSHOW.COM
10 | THEMOTORMARKET.COM AUGUST 2008
and Chevy Grain Trucks later, Art and Marie and their young family were well on the way
Nordstrom’s Auto Recycling Facility
Ewe-Pullet Facility
to what would be an amazing future.
many different jobs in the business and
The repairable business boomed when
found out that some things needed to
Nordstrom’s was the first repairable
be improved for the business to be able
vehicle dealer to advertise in the neigh-
to grow. The main challenge was the
bor’s new “DEALS ON WHEELS” maga-
lack of an organized inventory method
zine.
and the lack of computerized efficiency.
With a new found faith and all of the
repairable
activity
growing,
There were too many things stored in
some
people’s heads and it was necessary to
“extra” cars were gathering and the
spread the knowledge in order for
parts business began. Advertisements
growth to occur.
in local shoppers brought new cus-
Shannon convinced Mom and Dad
tomers and a growing stream of repeat
to invest in a computerized yard man-
customers. Many of the deals were
agement system. Nordstrom’s now has
made over the “Milk cooler” in the barn
one of the largest, independent com-
or chasing Art or Marie down in the trac-
puterized inventories of used and new
tor or windrower. The business was
auto parts in the entire Auto Recycling
beginning to take on a life of its own.
Industry. Nordstrom’s has over 300,000
Art and Marie’s three children,
unique items that are inventoried, over
Yvette, Suzette and Shannon, have
100,000 unbolted parts in over 80,000
Yvette
square feet of warehouse ready for
VanDerBrink (the Lil’ Nordstrom’s Gal)
immediate sale. Nordstrom’s disman-
has since started and owns VanDerBrink
tles cars daily, testing, tagging and bin-
Auctions. Suzette (Nordstrom) Hoven
ning the high demand parts for quick
is a manager for Monrovia Nurseries
access. Nordstrom’s efficiency has led
and lives in Minneapolis. Art and Marie’s
to countless facility improvements and
son Shannon had followed in his Dad’s
enhancements. Shannon is now the
footsteps since his first steps. Shannon
national Committee Chairman for the
had a very strong involvement in many
Automotive Recyclers Associations
areas of the auto business and always
Certified Auto Recycler Program. He
had a big interest. In June of 1988,
also sits on other national committees
Shannon joined Nordstrom’s as its sixth
and advisory boards, speaks at trade
full-time employee. Shannon worked
Continued on page 12
always
been
involved.
Ewe-Pullet “Pull Barn”
Will Call Entrance and
Shipping and Receiving Docks
Customer Will Call
AUGUST 2008 WWW.THEMOTORMARKET.COM | 11
is in syndication and now plays on 12
Station across the 5 state area and world
wide on the internet.
In May of 2008 EWE PULLET (YouPull-IT) was opened. EWE PULLET is
the areas first fully CAR certified Self
Service
Nordstrom’s Installation and Diagnostic Center in Garretson, SD
Auto
Recycling
Facility.
Customers can realize amazing savings
at their beautifully organized facility
Continued from page 11
thought a radio program would be a good
and remove parts from a revolving
events for the industry and has twice
tool to promote the business. Marie told
inventory of over 1200 vehicles of all
been recognized by the “Locator
the radio station their 20 year old son
makes and models. All the vehicles are
Upfront” magazine as one of the indus-
Shannon would do just great as the host.
drained of pollutants, elevated on
tries 25 most influential Recyclers.
The show is entering its 20th year on the
stands and organized into sections by
In the early 1990’s Nordstrom’s
air in the Sioux Falls market. Russ Evans
vehicle make for easy access. The entire
added Nordstrom’s Installation and
was asked to sit in on a show in January of
facility is packed with crushed concrete
Diagnostic Center in the town of
1999 and has been a staple as the
to assure any time access to the parts
Garretson to install the parts they sell.
®
you need. With Simple Parts Pricing
The installation and diagnostic center
Under the Hood Show plays live every
and Wide Open 33 day warranty and
has turned into a full service auto repair
Thursday at 10 am on KELO AM 1320 and
return policies, customers are saving
and maintenance center as well.
streams
money with “your tools, your labor, and
In 1989 Art and Marie Nordstrom
“Supertech” since then. Nordstrom’s
®
live
on
the
internet
at
www.underthehoodshow.com. The show
your savings” at EWE PULLET.
Environmental Compliance has
always been a very important part of
Nordstrom’s. With our CAR “Certified
Auto Recycler” Status they are audited
for compliance by this program of the
National Trade association the ARA
(Automotive Recyclers Association)
Nordstrom’s can assure you that all oil,
gasoline, tires, MERCURY, batteries,
washer fluid, Antifreeze, Air conditioning refrigerant and many other potential hazards are removed and processed
using best management practices.
Nordstrom’s was the first auto
Recycler in the area to adopt the ARA’s
GOLD SEAL program. After a pre-sale
cleaning, every part sold goes through a
4-step inspection process, which is documented on an attached tag. Their goal
is to assure their professional shop customers and the do-it-yourself customers that every effort has been made
to assure the quality of the parts they
buy from Nordstrom’s are correctly
described and in the condition they
12 | THEMOTORMARKET.COM AUGUST 2008
expect. Nordstom’s wants to eliminate
surprises on delivery.
Nordstrom’s
Automotive
Incorporated continues to look to the
future. Being pioneers on the internet,
an important part of theirgrowth has
been
their
on-line
presence.
Nordstrom’s has just completed an
overhaul of www.Nordstromsauto.com.
At the all-new website, customers have
one of the industries first “click and
pick” E-commerce solutions in the
industry. You can buy most of their
inventory 24/7 and have it shipped by
their professional shipping department
wherever in the world you might be,
even if that is right in Sioux Falls. They
also have a very nice “want list” area in
the repairable section on the web. If a
customer is looking for a particular type
or make and model or year, you can fill
out your profile and get an e-mail anytime
a
new
match
is
added.
Nordstrom’s is integrating modern
phone and computer systems to assure
their customers that they will be able to
match the needs of the generations
now and to come.
Nordstrom’s continues to expand
the products and services it offers to be
a crucial and integral part of the automotive community.
Their facilities are located on 60
acres, with over 7000 vehicles, 80,000
square feet of inside storage, Seven
vehicle dismantling bays and over 60
dedicated employees. Nordstrom’s
couldn’t function without all of their
wonderful employees.
Nordstrom’s industry is becoming
much more selective on which parts can
be re-used or resold. The Technology is
changing every day and they are constantly learning to stay ahead of those
changes. The Nordstrom’s team is
eager to earn your business and save
you money.
TMM
AUGUST 2008 WWW.THEMOTORMARKET.COM | 13