HOW A WALL BASED ROCK, GRAVEL, AND SAND COMPANY HAS SURVIVED FOR MORE THAN EIGHT DECADES

BY GENA ANSELL LANDE • PHOTOS BY ROBERT NUZZIE

According to the Small Business Administration, 20% all U.S. businesses fail in the first year, half shutter within their first five years, and only one third make it past their 10th anniversary, figures which have stayed more or less then same for decades. This makes the 82 years New Jersey Gravel & Sand had something like a miracle.

The answer, according to co owners (and brothers in law) Kevin Gannon and James Wingard, is yes, some good fortune, but most pivotally teamwork and remaining true to the core values of the company, while managing to evolve with the marketplace.

It was Martha Chadwick who started the business in 1936 and later passed it down to her nephew, Bill Wingard. At 90 years old, Wingard is technically retired, but still comes in for a couple of hours each day. His son, Jim, and son in law, Kevin, have taken over day to day operations and are, they said, proof of the success of collaborative effort and keeping ownership in the family.

“Over the years, we have proved to be a very diversified company, and the scope of our business has grown each year. We have transformed from a simple sand and gravel washing operation to a major supplier of decorative stone, miscellaneous accessories, aggregates, sand, and topsoil,” Wingard said, adding that the company also carries a complete line of landscape and construction materials and adds new products each year.

“One area that sets us apart from other companies is our stellar customer service. We take pride in the ease and efficiency of shopping our site, the diversity of our sales staff, and taking care of the homeowner as well as the contractor. Our contractors know that if they send their customers to us they will be well taken care of,” Gannon explained.

For any business, but especially one like this, survival is about thriving in a changing business landscape. And although New Jersey Gravel & Sand has gone through some growing pains, it’s ability to change with the times keeps customers returning. One challenge that later turned out to be a boom for business was Hurricane Sandy.

Gannon explained: “We saw a really high demand for products as folks went on to rebuild. Another tough time was during the recession of 2008, when there was a much lower demand for non essential and luxury products. We weathered these storms and adapted when necessary.”

Besides working with the homeowner, the business also deals with municipalities, schools, businesses, landscapers, and contractors its yard located in the heart of Monmouth County, where it has been since the first day of operation.

“Our location on Highway 34 is key because we have direct access to every major road,” said Gannon. “Our customers appreciate that they have an easy in and out. And, by using a number of front end loaders and forklifts, we can load material right onto a vehicle at our yard, making the experience as timely and pleasant as possible.”

When asked about trends holding sway in the industry, Gannon motioned to a particular slab of stone.

“Currently, this natural thin stone veneer has become popular with homeowners of all ages. Whether used for interior or exterior applications, it seems that people want to mix stone into their plans somewhere,” he said. Other hot items, he explained, are custom stone fireplace hearths and mantels, which go hand in hand with the veneer, adding that attractive pavers and natural stonewalls are here to stay as well.

Other than it being a coveted item on the market right now, the allure of a thin stone veneer is that it gives homeowners a way of expressing their own style.

Recently, the brothers in law completed some intricate countertops for a high end outdoor kitchen job.

“Our custom stone copings have been the final piece on several high end pools and fire pits,” said Gannon. Pool coping is one of their most popular services the term identifying the stone or material used to cap the pool shell wall.

“Coping does more than just add visual interest to a pool design, Wingard explained. “It can make a pool appear larger or smaller, change the reflection of light, and the appearance of color inside the pool. So, we work with our clientele or a designer to help bring visions to life by selecting the right stones.”

Right now, added Wingard, it’s all about blends, whether color blends or patterns, and this trend is expected to grow throughout the year. The three most common types of pool coping are flagstone, natural stone, and poured concrete. Currently, flagstone is having a moment because it can transform the look of a pool into something seemingly naturally occurring.

One of the more challenging aspects of working in this industry is the vast amount of details needed with every project. Wingard explained.

“So many of our orders require precision descriptions and measurements,” he said. “Each stage of an order demands everyone’s attention from start to finish.”

Both men have witnessed interesting shifts in the home owner market.

“We are now seeing homeowners invest a lot of money into their homes. Outdoor living and staycations are super popular at the moment,” Wingard observed. “Our clients love that cohesive look between indoors and out, which explains the increase in outdoor kitchens, pizza ovens, outdoor TVs, grottos, and swim up bars.”

One of the company’s often used services, the backbone of the business, in fact, are bulk deliveries.

“We have a fleet of trucks with highly experienced drivers. Our delivery charges are based on the amount of material being delivered, the size truck needed, and the location of the job,” said Gannon. Another busy section is our custom stone cutting and fabrication division. We work year round, creating stone masterpieces for contractors and homeowners alike.”

Selecting stone can be a daunting task given the myriad of choices; brands available include Marimo Stones, Boral ProStone, General Shale Thin Brick, Natural Thin Veneer Stone, Flagstone, and Travertine. Although most people know the “look” they want, selecting the materials can be problematic, and that is where the staff here comes in, Wingard said.

“We want to make projects, from conception to completion easy…and actually fun, too!”

New Jersey Gravel & Sand
1661 Highway 34 South, Wall / 732.410.7172 / njgravelsand.com