LEPCO (formerly known as Lawn Equipment Parts Company) is a wholesale, multi-line distributor of outdoor power equipment, parts, and accessories. We serve nearly 1,000 dealers in the Northeast US and represent seven quality brands with lawn care products for both consumer and professional landscaper use.
From the Trunk of His Car…
In 1970, Merrell Clark and Jay Hertzog founded Lawn Equipment Parts Co., which continues to serve as a family-owned and operated wholesale distributor of quality outdoor power equipment, parts, and accessories. Originally, LEPCO operated as an aftermarket parts distributor to independent lawn equipment dealers, with our first customers being Brandt’s Mower Service and Arcade Equipment.
The original warehouse was an 800-square-foot rented facility. Local customers had the key to the building, so they could pick their own parts and leave Merrell a note to bill them later. At that time, all packing slips and invoices were written by hand until a Wang computer system was installed later in the 1970s. The culture of trust, hard work, and personal service still rings true today.
As the company grew, operations moved into various new and larger locations until arriving in the current space in 2007. Our story includes:
Merrell first sold aftermarket parts out of the trunk of his station wagon
The company’s first delivery truck was a rented vehicle with an elephant painted on the side
The first equipment line was MacKissic
LEPCO began distributing ECHO in 1975 when the total US volume was just $5MM
LEPCO is an original founder and investor of Exmark since 1983
We have been distributing each of the current lines for multiple decades each, demonstrating longevity in the market and a deep understanding of product knowledge
What started humbly is still growing strong. Today, we’re a third-generation family with over 85 employees.
Fertilizing Our Future
Over the years, LEPCO has continued to grow, becoming one of the preferred distributors in the industry. LEPCO completed a 131,000-square-foot warehouse expansion in 2021, a solid investment for the future. By investing in our people, our capital assets, and technology advancements, our commitment is unwavering.
Maintaining our reputation for outstanding customer service to our dealers, our brand partners, and our community continues to be our everyday focus. When we provide quality products and services to our group of independent dealers, they in turn provide a higher level of service and support to the end-users for all of the brands we represent. We see the value of each channel partner amplified through our core programming.
We sell exclusively to retail dealers in our region, consisting of: Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia, and West Virginia.
Michael Shafer, Territory Manager
Territory Manager since 2013
Both the relationships I’ve made within the walls of LEPCO and the ones outside with our dealers are like no other. I love to grow and help my dealers grow. LEPCO is my home – the people have helped me grow. I’ve learned that my smile is my logo, my personality is my business card, and how I leave others feeling after they have an experience with me is my trademark.
Brandon Thomas, Service Technician
Service Technician since 2019
I love coming to work every day and seeing people smiling.
Emily Fritz, Marketing Manager
Marketing Manager since 2021
Since Day 1, everyone at LEPCO has been committed to providing me the training and tools I need to succeed in my role. The onboarding was thorough, well-planned and terrifically executed. While there was a lot of information to absorb, the people on my team all demonstrated patience and understanding. Now that I’ve developed a better sense of my position, I know how I can make a difference for the company and our customers – and I’m empowered to do so!
Cheree Wagner, Merchandising Specialist
Merchandising Specialist since 2018
Working at LEPCO has afforded me many opportunities to grow, both professionally and personally. The executive management team invests in their employees and encourages us to do and be great. I volunteer for an organization near and dear to me, and LEPCO helps even further by contributing financially to causes that mean a lot to their employees. I’m so proud to work for such a giving and great company.
Matthew Pennington, Territory Manager
Territory Manager since 2016
LEPCO is a family oriented business with great values.
Jenn Ridgeway, ERP Systems Administrator
ERP Systems Administrator since 2020
The camaraderie makes LEPCO a well oiled machine.
Mary Beth Ambrose, Ringtown Farm Equipment Company
Ringtown Farm Equipment Company
We cannot say enough about customer service at LEPCO. Friendly, caring, going above and beyond, pleasant to speak to and will go out of their way to find you what you need and getting it shipped out quickly. This follows through to their service department where the guys will always follow up and return your call every time. Great company to deal with!
Emily Fritz, Marketing Manager
Marketing Manager since 2021
I’m excited to have joined a stable, financially strong company that gives my daughter and me the security we are looking for following the pandemic. Many of the employees say that LEPCO is the best place they’ve ever worked, and I’m grateful to be here.
Glen Burkholder, Service Manager
Service Manager since 1994
LEPCO has been generous. After 2 years as Assistant Service Manager, I was promoted to Service Manager. I was young and a bit green, but LEPCO gave me the chance to prove myself. Things worked out well and again I was given the opportunity to grow into the parts purchasing role about 10 years ago. I am grateful and thankful for those opportunities and for LEPCO’s generosity. Many employees and management I consider friends and not just coworkers.
Robert Kintner, CFO, Director of IT & Human Resources
CFO, Director of IT & HR since 2020
LEPCO is a first-class company that has built a culture based on solid values and leadership. It’s very apparent that the long-term growth and the successes of the company have taken a complete team effort by its employees. The leadership is exceptional which begins with a gracious and exceptionally thoughtful ownership that flows down through a talented management team and hard-working conscientious employees.
