Hungarian metal worker wanted to open a Macon business. 114 years later, it’s still running

A family-owned business that just celebrated 114 years serving Macon has still excelled in recent years, in its fifth generation.

“Not many businesses make it a second or third generation so for us to be around for five generations is pretty unique,” said Michael Kruger, vice president of L.E. Schwartz & Son, Inc.

Kruger. said his great, great-grandfather, Louis (L.E.) Schwartz started the business not long after he came to America in the early 1900s from Hungary.

“He was a tinsmith back in Hungary and wanted to work in a trade he knew so he opened the business in Macon in 1910,” Kruger said.

The business primarily does commercial roofing and siding, but also does residential roofing under the name Schwartz Residential Roofing.

“We offer our customers a high-quality product with a professional team of people who stand by the work and take care of any issues that may arise,” said Kruger.

Here’s how the business got its start and developed:

THE EARLY YEARS

1910: The immigrant Hungarian metal worker started a company in Macon that today is one of the largest and most respected commercial and industrial roofing and sheet metal contractors in the country, according to the company’s website.

1915: Brother-in-law Adolph Phaul joined the firm and the company name became Schwartz & Phaul. The company prospered during its early years, and when the founder’s son, Harry Schwartz, joined the firm in 1929, the company expanded its services to include heating, ventilation and air conditioning.

1933: Adoph Phaul died in 1933 and the company name changed to L.E. Schwartz & Son.

1949: Louis Schwartz died and his son, Harry, became president.

1952: Melvin Kruger, the founder’s grandson, joined the company after graduating from the University of Georgia Law School.

1953: The company expanded after a devastating tornado ripped through Warner Robins, creating a tremendous amount of roofing and sheet metal work during subsequent rebuilding.

1956: The company was incorporated and saw continued growth in commercial and industrial roofing and sheet metal.

MODERN YEARS

1978: Steve Kruger, the founder’s great-grandson, joined the company after graduating from the University of Georgia.

1985: L.E. Schwartz & Son opened a new manufacturing facility for its Metal Systems Division.

1987: The company was recognized as the National Roofing Contractor of the Year by RSI Magazine.

1991: A new division called Precision Products began manufacturing precision metal parts and sub-assemblies.

1994: The Precision Products Division became Schwartz Precision Manufacturing, a subsidiary of the corporation, and moved into a second manufacturing facility. That same year L.E. Schwartz & Son, Inc. was named the Georgia Family Business of the Year by Kennesaw State College and the Atlanta Business Chronicle.

1997: Harry Schwartz died after 68 years in the business.

1999: Schwartz Precision Manufacturing moved into an 80,000 square foot manufacturing facility to support its continued growth.

1999: Schwartz Precision achieves ISO 9001:2000 Certification, the internationally recognized standard for quality management systems.

2001: The National Roofing Contractors Association presented the company with the Gold Circle Award for workmanship.

2004: Michael Kruger became the fifth generation to join the company after graduating from the University of Georgia. Also in 2004, Schwartz Precision achieved AS9100 certification; AS9100 is a widely adopted and standardized quality management system for the aerospace industry.

2007: The Commercial Shingles Division is started as its first large multi-family housing project gets underway.

2009: Schwartz Residential Roof is started.

2010: L.E. Schwartz & Son celebrates its centennial as the doors have been open for business for 100 years.

Kruger said both the people in the company and in the community make him passionate to keep the family business alive.

“The L.E. Schwartz name means something to a lot of people here and I am very passionate about keeping that sentiment alive,” he said. “And as we enter our 114th year in business, we remain passionate about providing the best quality and service in our field - people should feel confident when choosing us to work with them.”

Over the more than century of being a Macon staple, the business started an annual United Way campaign and has been one of the top giving companies of its size. It also works with Habitat for Humanity as well as many other non-profits in the central Georgia area.

Kruger said the company plans to be around for a very long time.

“We love this community and are proud to be a part of it,” he said.

L.E. Schwartz & Son, Inc. is located at 279 Reid Street in Macon and can be reached at 478-745-6563.