The company, which is located in Douglassville, Pa., is well on the way to doubling the yardage that it manufactured and sold last year.
Frontier Mulch Products LLC was established by Jennifer McAndrew in March 2014, following the lead of her father, James McAndrew. He had a mulch business known as Frontier Wood Products for more than 25 years, which he then sold.
“My father was the first pioneer of the mulch world to bring ’dyed’ mulches to the East Coast,” Jennifer said. “It began with the trend of dyed red mulch, and he grew the company to be one of the largest distributors on the east coast. I started helping him filing paperwork when I was very little, then moved on to working summers answering phones and helping with office work. I basically grew up wanting to run a business like my dad, but never knew it would be the same industry.”
Currently, Frontier Mulch has six employees, including Megan in sales and marketing, Deb as office manager, and Greg, John and TJ as manufacturing operators. The company, which is located in Douglassville, Pa., is well on the way to doubling the yardage that it manufactured and sold last year.
Jennifer attributes the growth of the company to getting a better handle on production combined with continuous improvement on quality and delivery of products. The company’s mulch is made from all-natural, hand-selected materials including roots, root grindings, hardwood chips and bark. The color-enhanced mulches are dyed with a water-based colorant that is 100 percent safe around children, animals, and plants. It has been tested by an independent, accredited laboratory.
Frontier Mulch covers central and eastern Pennsylvania for the most part.
“We are recognized for our dyed mulches, our natural mulch, bulk and bagged rock salt, and most importantly, our customer service in the industry,” Jennifer said. “I want to continue to grow at a conservative speed, while focusing on quality and service improvements. And I want to expand our product line eventually.”
Jennifer is in the process of gaining a minority status with the state of Pennsylvania for both trucking and the mulch businesses. She knows that being a woman in a male industry certainly comes with its challenges.
“However, growing up in the industry, I was introduced to many individuals that worked with my father that I have now started working with,” she said.
Currently, Frontier’s equipment list includes a Morbark 1300B tub grinder, two high-tip Caterpillar loaders, colorant pumps and a Retech trommel.
The tub grinder was a recent purchase from Deacon Equipment Company, in Bloomsburg, Pa.
“Making the decision for a Morbark was simple,” Jennifer said. “It is the best in the business for a re-grind finished product. Deacon made every aspect of purchasing the product simple. They have worked with my father for over 20 years, and they are the best when it comes to service and attention. Our sales rep, Josh [Booth], is one of the best sales reps I have ever had the pleasure of working with. He was there for me in the drop of a hat whenever I needed anything. Walt [Deacon] feels like part of our family, and I wouldn’t trade the relationship for anything.”
Deacon said, “Though Jennifer deflects most credit to her father and her very able staff; she is extremely intelligent, talented and energetic in her own right. She has a passion for this industry, and for growing her business in a professional manner. It has been great to see what she has done so far, and I’m convinced this is just the beginning for this rising star.”
Speaking of Jennifer’s father, he plays an important role for the business as a consultant.
“His brain is filled with knowledge of this industry,” Jennifer said. “And contacts…every question I have, I bounce off of him. It has brought us closer than ever, and I love every minute of that.”
For more information, 610/323-2945 or visit www.frontiermulchproducts.com.
Brenda Ruggiero
Brenda Ruggiero has written for CEG for over 20 years. She lives near the town of Accident in far western Maryland. Her favorite assignments so far involved interviews with Survivor’s Boston Rob and hot dog eating champion Joey Chestnut. Both were involved in construction at one time.
Brenda holds a BA in Mass Communication with a writing focus from Frostburg State University and minors in Public Relations and Political Science. She works full time as a staff writer for a weekly newspaper, the Garrett County Republican. She enjoys feature writing the most, which gives her the opportunity to talk to people and share their stories.
Brenda and her middle school sweetheart, Reuben, have been married for over 34 years and have three grown children and four cats.
Read more from Brenda Ruggiero here.
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