For four generations, the team behind Brandywine Quarry has endeavored to not only treat every customer like an extension of their close-knit family but also help clients find the stone products of their dreams – and within their budgets.

Whether they're working with commercial builders, masons, landscapers, contractors or homeowners, Brandywine's president Jen Taggart says that every client benefits from turning to her family's one-stop shop, where stone is regarded as the finishing touch that can turn any surface into a work of art.

"We are quarries: Not only do we supply landscape and masonry professionals with all kinds of natural stone products, but we also quarry a proprietary stone that is well recognized and sought out regionally," she explains. "Owning and operating your own thin-veneer production facility allows you to not only stay competitive pricewise, but also have ultimate control when it comes to finished products, tolerances and lead times. From quarrying the materials to cutting the stone to delivering the finished product with our own delivery trucks, we handle it all."

Taggart's father Lynn Hanaway founded the business in 1998; he recently handed it off to his wife Connie and their daughter, both of whom tap into their fresh perspectives and industry experience to demonstrate that women can excel in a male-dominated industry. And while Brandywine has seen "trends come and go" in the past three decades, much within the industry and the company itself has remained the same.

"Stone is timeless, and can be used to historically match a 200-year-old farmhouse or it can be quarried, trimmed and installed to create a stunning new modern masterpiece," says Taggart. "There is no project too big or small, and we will take the time needed no matter the scope. Every project is a unique opportunity to leave a lasting impression."

Of course, there have been plenty of changes, too, befitting a company that sees the importance of innovation, especially for the client's benefit. An early example dates back 20 years ago, when Taggart's dad made sure Brandywine was among the first quarries embracing modern tech to deviate from the industry's historically standard 3-6-inch thickness for building stones to achieve a much lighter one-and-a-half-inch thickness.

"He started a fabrication facility, which used new technology that would make thin-veneer stone a mainstay in building products today," she says. "We are constantly updating our machinery to accomplish the best product at an affordable price. With our very own manufacturing facilities utilizing the latest technology, we control the process from mining to sawing to delivery, allowing us to create the best product and experience possible with short lead times and competitive pricing."

That "thin veneer collection is just one extensive product line" Brandywine offers and remains a popular option, though it does occasionally necessitate some clarification.

"A misconception is that 'veneer' means fake stone – this is not the case: 'Veneer' refers to the thickness of the stone material," Taggart begins. "Our thin stone veneer is the same timeless natural stone, but purposefully cut to improve the installation and application processes, while also increasing cost efficiency. There are no manufactured molds or artificial colors and textures here, only nature's creations. Best of all, it can be applied to your existing buildings or structures with virtually no modifications due to an average weight of less than 15 pounds per square foot."

Taggart also notes the eco-friendliness of the locally sourced materials, as well as endless applications of a thin veneer: interior and exterior facades, landscape walls, fireplaces, chimneys, barbecues, indoor and outdoor kitchens, pool surroundings, archways, pillars and columns.

For those who aren't sure where to start, the Brandywine team can help guide clients through the whole process: "We like to be as open as possible and communicate every step of the way, from the beginning design and estimate phases to the delivery of the selected materials," Taggart affirms. She also advises checking out what's in stock and on display.

"Our sales staff will spend as much time as needed with each customer to support them in making a selection for their project, and there are some basic questions we generally start with to understand a client's vision and tailor the project to that individual," she notes. "Having an outdoor display area, as well as stocking many different types of natural stone, really helps our clients see what is available, practical and most budget-conscious. They see their options in real-life lighting, and we like to teach them about the process and makeup of a natural product."

Going above and beyond for clients is the foundation upon which Brandywine was built, and it continues to drive the team's involvement in their community, too, just as it will for generations to come.

"We have helped a number of Boy Scout projects through the years, as well as worked with many school projects. It is amazing to see hard work, planning and creativity take hold in the youth while giving back to our community," Taggart says. "It is very rewarding for us to be a part of those projects and work directly with the youth. The best compliment is just being a part of something meaningful."

Brandywine Quarry
Parkesburg, Pa.
(610) 857-4200
BrandywineQuarry.com

Published (and copyrighted) in House & Home, Volume 24, Issue 8 (July 2024)
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