While Loudoun County is best known for high-tech industries, agriculture, and wineries, there are companies creating products that cannot be consumed by people or processed by computers; local manufacturers. Every day, companies produce diverse and impactful manufactured products that are designed, tested, and created in Loudoun, which are then transported across the world.
Loudoun Stairs, a 35-year-old company located in Purcellville, manufactures stairs and rails for some of the top residential and commercial builders, both locally and nationwide. The materials used for their stairs and rails are sourced locally and from nearby states, and the byproducts of sawdust and scrap wood are recycled into Loudoun farms and homes for firewood, stall dressings, and reclamation projects. With a focus on blending craftmanship, automation, and foundational customer service, Loudoun Stairs is primed to continue growing in Loudoun County.
We recently had the opportunity to sit down with representatives from Loudoun Stairs to discuss more about their #LoudounPossible story:
Tell me about Loudoun Stairs. What do you do? How did the company get started? What inspired the founders to go into business?
Loudoun Stairs is a stair and rail manufacturer for new construction, commercial construction, and renovation projects, with a focus on wood, metal, stainless steel, and glass materials. We have an on-site finishing shop with custom color capability for stains and paints.
The company was started in 1987 by a Loudoun County native, Brent Mercke. Prior to starting Loudoun Stairs, he worked as a construction supervisor in the Northern Virginia area. With stairs often being the focal point or first impression of a home, Mr. Mercke saw a need for better quality stairs and set out to start building stairs of quality and integrity.
Who do you service? Who are your customers, clients, and partners?
Loudoun Stairs services Virginia, Maryland, West Virginia, Delaware, and Pennsylvania. Our service area is approximately a 250-mile radius from Purcellville VA.
Our customers are national, regional, and local home builders, commercial builders, general contractors, and homeowners.
What methods do you use to promote your business?
We are members of the Stair Manufacturers & Builders Association (SMA), which offers opportunities for networking with industry professionals and establishing or strengthening relationships. We also market our projects through our website and social media platforms and, on many occasions, someone has seen our delivery or service trucks in the NOVA area and called the office. We believe that the quality of our work speaks for itself and have a large referral business from past and current customers. We cannot thank our customers enough for the opportunity to serve them and for their positive advocacy!
What is the most interesting or unique project you have worked on?
We’ve had the opportunity to partner with many homeowners and builders on special projects. Most recently, we’ve provided stairs for the One Loudoun project, including custom mono-stringers and contemporary metal stairs.
What is the biggest challenge that the company has faced and how did you overcome it?
The biggest challenge the company faced was the 2008 housing market crash. We faced down-sizing from 215 employees to 30 while we investigated diversification. It is through this challenge that we started High Gear Truck Repair, an entity of Loudoun Stairs, and our Renovations Department.
How is your business contributing to the growth of the Loudoun community?
Over our 35-year tenure in Purcellville, Loudoun Stairs has employed many area residents, including some who live so close that they walk to work each day. As the county has continued to grow, we matched that growth to contribute to the high quality of construction of the residential and commercial markets.
What do you look for (characteristics, training, experience, etc.) in potential team members to join the Loudoun Stairs family?
We look for potential team members with a desire to learn our trade, have an “all in” attitude and desire to turn out the best products while working with co-workers to help the company stay innovative – a step above the rest!
What does the future hold for Loudoun Stairs in the next five years?
Innovation and automation combined with old school craftsman skills and techniques to provide the best products for our industries. More diversification to supply what our changing world seeks.
What do you want the world to know about Loudoun Stairs?
The company was built by the desire to provide better stairs and rails through quality of product and customer service. It was achieved by instilling that desire in the employees and creating a culture service and gratitude.
For more information about Loudoun Stairs, check out their website: https://www.loudounstairs.com/
Interested in being a featured business? Tell us your #LoudounPossible story below!