Quality Power Equipment is a small-engine, sales and repair outdoor power equipment business that is in its 40th year of existence. While it began on South High School Avenue, it moved to its current location, 408 S. High School Ave., in 1990.
Owner Dudley Williamson had worked at a previous business for some time and bought it out, creating Quality Power Equipment.
“I enjoyed the work and enjoyed meeting people. The opportunity arose for me to purchase it, and I took advantage of it,” he said.
The business sells a variety of outdoor power equipment and houses the biggest name-brand products in the industry.
“We sell Stihl handheld power equipment, Snapper lawnmowers and Exmark lawnmowers. We also sell utility vehicles and (Kawasaki) ATVs,” Williamson said. “Stihl and Snapper I’ve had since I’ve been business and Kawasaki for 20 years. So we’re well experienced with the brands that we sell and the service that backs them.”
Williamson said the service Quality Power Equipment provides its customers is what continues to make it the premier destination for outdoor power equipment in Marion County. He said they back everything they sell and have quality merchandise that has continually stood the test of time.
“When you buy from us, we don’t send you down the road for repair. We take care of everything that we sell,” he said. “We’re knowledgeable of our products. We try to point our customers in the right direction when looking at a particular product. We don’t try to sell them something too big or too small.”
Williamson added Quality’s employees take the time to listen to a customer’s needs to provide them with the perfect product to meet their needs.
“There’s such a variety of products that when somebody comes in to buy a lawnmower, I ask them how big the area is that they’re mowing, how long does it take you to mow and how quick do you want to get it mowed. You try to get a feel of what they need and point them in the right direction,” he said. “Of course it’s up to them what they buy, but we try to be honest. Maybe you don’t need a $10,000 mower. A $3,000 mower will supply your needs.”
Being up front and honest with customers is what makes them want to come back, Williamson said.
From the very beginning, Williamson said his goal was to have a store and a product line big enough to give customers a variety to choose from. Forty years later, he said he believes he’s accomplished that.
Quality Power Equipment has three full-time employees, including Williamson, and one part-time employee. Steve Romero serves as the technician who can repair anything the business sells, and Nathan Thornton is the manager.
“They’re dependable; that’s the biggest thing. They’re knowledgeable in what they do,” Williamson said. “Steve has been trained thoroughly in the different products we sell and the operation of those products to be able to repair them. Nathan is well-versed in the mechanics, operation and the needs of the consumer to find which product is proper for them.”
The business is open from 8 a.m. until 5 p.m. Monday through Friday and from 8 a.m. until noon on Saturdays. It can be reached at (601) 736-2282.
