Lakeland Supply Inc.
N8 W22380 Johnson Drive, Waukesha
www.lakelandsupply.com
Founded: 1982
Industry: Wholesale
Employees: 33
2015 annual revenue: Not disclosed
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For more than 30 years, Waukesha-based Lakeland Supply Inc. has been providing packaging and janitorial industrial supplies for companies throughout the U.S.
Throughout that time, the company has experienced consistent, record-setting growth. In 2015, Lakeland Supply gained more than 140 new customers and increased its gross profit per order by 5 percent compared to 2014.
“Recently, our growth has really been focused on the people that we have,” said Vince Schmidt, president. “We’re focused on new markets, new opportunities and expanding geographically throughout the Midwest.”
Lakeland Supply is committed to growing accounts with existing customers and taking an innovative approach to problem-solving for its clients.
“We actually live our core values – it’s more than just a statement for us,” said Richard Suhar, chief operating officer. “Our goal as a company is to leave everything we touch better than it was before.”
For the company’s leaders, it’s about God, family and Lakeland, and it starts with hiring, training and developing the right people, Schmidt said.
The company remains focused on work-life balance, commitment to family and making Lakeland a fun, rewarding place to work.
“We’re a customer service-oriented business and our people definitely make the difference,” added Suhar.
Lakeland Supply has expanded its products and services to include “kitting” for its clients, in which it takes four or five manufactured parts and puts them together in a package.
“The key for us is listening to our clients,” said Larry Schmidt, chief financial officer. “Our job is to find out where we can help them. If we can, we’re going to do that.”
In response to a customer, Lakeland sought its ISO 9001 certification, a quality management certification that ensures customers get consistent, good quality products and services. The standard is based on several quality management principles and has set the foundation for customer satisfaction at Lakeland.
“It really sets us apart in the marketplace, and it’s entirely focused on the customer and customer satisfaction,” Larry Schmidt said.
