Making Water Work for 45 Years

Lehman B. Mengel saw the need for an exceptional supplier of water and sewer products to contractors and municipalities in Central Pennsylvania. Because he had been a successful contractor and businessman, Mengel understood the importance of customer service and support, on-hand inventory and company pride. He built his company on those principles, and they are still at the core of its corporate culture today.

LB Water is a value-added distributor of waterworks infrastructure products. These products include hydrants and valves, as well as water specialty products, water metering equipment, sanitary sewer and stormwater products, environmental-erosion stabilization products and more. Over the years, LB Water grew to include eight locations throughout Pennsylvania, Maryland and Virginia, serving clients in six states. But it is the continued attention to detail LB Water takes with its customers that is the reason it has thrived for 45 years and counting.

“LB Water’s service to their customers is second to none. It has been very evident to us at David H. Martin Excavating that the owners and employees at LB have their customers’ best interests in mind. They have always been very responsive to our needs no matter what the situation,” said Kirk Martin, vice president of David H. Martin Excavating. “Many times, even after normal working hours, they provided us with materials so we could complete our projects. LB Water’s inventory is vast. What they may not have at one location, they are sure to have at another. I have personally been involved with LB Water for over 20 years and have never found a more honest and loyal group of people in my career.”

In April 2002, the company was sold to the employees through an employee stock ownership plan (ESOP). The employees now own 100 percent of LB Water, increasing the sense of pride, commitment, motivation and security in the company. With a firm belief that employees are its core strength and most valuable asset, LB Water places a high value on recruitment and professional development. These qualities also helped it earn recognition as one of the Best Places to Work in Pennsylvania in 2012 and 2013.