Company History

How Wangaratta Bearings began…

Ian and Jan McMonigle, the company directors and owners of Wangaratta Bearings began the business 34 years ago back in February of 1979.

Ian started working in the bearing trade in 1962 for a local company called Bulluss & Tippett. Working with them for 13 years gave Ian the opportunity to get a good grasp on the bearing game, as well as gaining the insight in to what the local industries requirements were in this field and developing a good relationship with the local customers.

Leaving Bulluss & Tippett in 1975 Ian obtained a salesman position with Bearing Service Co. Working in a travelling representative role, covering all of northeast Victoria and southern New South Wales gave Ian the opportunity to see that there was a need for such a business in the area.

In February of 1979 Ian and his wife Jan opened up Wangaratta Bearings at 17 Baker St in Wangaratta. With Ian and his nephew both in sales and Jan responsible for the accounts, the business flourished and in 1984 with a need to expand further the business relocated to 48 Faithfull Street Wangaratta where it remained until September of 2004.

Ian and Jan’s son-in-law Chris McInnes is the current manager and has been since January of 2001. With his previous experience as a manager for Repco Auto Parts the business has expanded into selling a vast range of products. Tony Gigliotti has been working for the company for twenty five years in a sales role, and along with Richard Nunn, Craig Fruend, Brendon French, Dylan Fischer, Danni Barbour and Greg Baker. the sales team has increased to cater for the expansion of industry within the region. Their daughters Jodie Edwards and Donna McInnes have been assisting Jan in the accounts department for several years, and Greg Oates helps complete the accounts team. The business now resides at 75 Tone Road Wangaratta and with the increase in space the showroom is constantly full of new products. Ian and Jan still remain the directors of the company.