50+ Year Legacy 3rd Generation Family Business

 

…and still growing strong!

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.

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.

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.

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!

Paige McConnell, Customer Support Representative

Customer Support Representative since 2012

I love working at LEPCO because everyone is helpful and it is a family atmosphere and laid back.

Sylvia Shenk, Warehouse Associate

Warehouse Associate since 2020

Best company I ever worked for. I enjoy working at LEPCO because of the way it is run like a small family business. Almost everyone is friendly and willing to help you out when needed. No questions asked.

Lori Bauer, Warehouse Associate

Warehouse Associate since 2020

Love the people I work with. I never knew I could learn so much about lawn equipment.

Brandon Thomas, Service Technician

Service Technician since 2019

I love coming to work every day and seeing people smiling.

Caitlin Stoltz, Warehouse Associate

Warehouse Associate since 2020

LEPCO is by far the best place I have ever worked, period. I had contemplated working at LEPCO since I was in 7th or 8th grade, and boy am I ever glad I did. This is more than a job for me. I love the family and friendly atmosphere, and I love working at a place where my hard work is valued and appreciated and helps others to meet their landscaping needs!

Jenn Ridgeway, ERP Systems Administrator

ERP Systems Administrator since 2020

LEPCO has so many respectable company values, but I think teamwork is at the heart of it all. Every employee is a team player and I think that naturally leads to accountability, quality and motivation. Having assembled a reliable team of employees, LEPCO is able to withstand and overcome any obstacle.