Power Equipment Systems (PES), a Salem, Ore. family business that’s grown into one of the nation’s premier wholesale distributors of premium lawn and garden equipment, parts, and engines, has expanded into a renovated Willamette Valley warehouse complex that formerly housed a semiconductor silicon wafer plant.

The move represents an $8.6 million investment to purchase and improve the 8-acre campus where Sumco Mitsubishi employed more than 1,000 people in its Salem silicon wafer facilities 20 years ago before its business soured in the early 2000s.

Today the 75,000 sq. ft. main warehouse is now filled with racks of tools, parts, belts, equipment and even riding mowers that are stacked and catalogued until they are shipped to repair shops and dealers across 12 Western U.S. states.

The PES team now employs 40 people including call center personnel, warehouse crew and a sales team that interacts with independent dealers and repair shops across the West. An average of 600 orders ship daily, via small parcel carriers and pallet load carriers. The new facility gives the company growing room for more products and staff.

Power Equipment Systems was founded in 1979 by William “Bill” Burrell, who ran it until his death from cancer in 1995. The privately-held company is now run jointly by the wife-and-husband team of Burrell’s daughter and son-in-law, Kelly and Pete Yunker. Together, they have led the effort to make Power Equipment Systems a regional powerhouse in the niche outdoor equipment industry.

“Power Equipment Systems is part of the Salem community and where we call home. We couldn’t imagine growing anywhere else,” said Kelly Yunker.

Pete Yunker noted how well the project turned out. “The additional space allows us to serve our customers more efficiently and be able to say yes to more opportunities,” he added.

Power Equipment Systems carries key brands such as Cub Cadet, RedMax, Columbia, Jonsered, Troy-Bilt, Kohler Engines and Remington. PES also offers its customers parts sourcing, technical assistance, and educational and marketing resources to help them be more successful in every aspect of their dealerships and service businesses.

Visit pesnet.com.