2010 Success Award Winner Le-Ed Concrete

Charles Schlapfer, Le-Ed Concrete

Established in 1970, Le-Ed Construction started as a concrete contracting company specializing in curb and sidewalk installation.  Expanding from the contracting side of the business in the 1980’s, the organization evolved into a masonry material and landscape supply distribution center with three locations in Ocean County. 
 
Le-Ed Concrete & Supply Company manufactures Ready-Mix Concrete in its plant located in Toms River. They also sell hardscaping products such as pavers and retaining wall stone and a full line of masonry materials, making Le-Ed Concrete & Supply Company Ocean County’s largest provider of natural stone, boulders, sand and gravel. 
 
In 2007, feeling the early squeeze of the economic downturn, Le-Ed turned to the NJSBDC at Brookdale Community College, enrolling its General Manager, Charles Schlapfer, in the Entrepreneur Certificate Program, and taking advantage of the center’s programs and services. 
 
With the assistance and guidance of center staff Jackeline Mejias-Fuertes, Jacqueline Hoehn and Bill Nunnally, Le-Ed was able to obtain the proper registrations for government contracting opportunities with local, county, state and federal offices. In 2010, Le-Ed has obtained more than $350,000 in public works contracts bringing the total of government contracts to over $750,000 in the past two years!   These contracts have allowed Le-Ed to maintain their workforce and keep people employed during this turbulent economy. 

With NJSBDC’s guidance, Le-Ed has bid and won contracts this year with agencies that include: The Joint Base at McGuire, Lakehurst, and Fort Dix; New Jersey Departments of Transportation and Environmental Protection; NJ Turnpike Authority; Monmouth County Highway, Bridge and Engineering Departments; Monmouth County Parks Department; Ocean County Roads Department; Ocean County Utilities Authority; Townships of Toms River and Little Egg Harbor; and City of Trenton.
 
Further, Le-Ed has developed a Vessel Wash Water Containment System that has been installed at more than 15 marinas statewide. These marinas received funding through the New Jersey Marine Sciences Consortium / New Jersey Sea Grant due to Le-Ed participation in the grant proposal process. 
 
According to the company, “Le-Ed Concrete exists with the motto that we offer premium products at a high level of service.  Through our work with the NJSBDC, we have been able to expand our customer base and continue to adhere to our core mission of providing excellent products and services.  Our recent survival and our past success have been greatly assisted by the NJSBDC.”