Celebrating 70th-anniversary and certification by the Women’s Business Enterprise National Council
The year 2020 has proven to be a milestone year for The L.E. Smith Company. Along with celebrating our 70th anniversary, we are also proud to announce our certification as a Women’s Business Enterprise by the Women’s Business Enterprise Council, Ohio River Valley.
“L.E. Smith has always been committed to equity, and that commitment has been both differentiating and positively impactful to our results,” said Laura Juarez, shareholder and chairperson of the board. “We’ve intentionally created a leadership team where diversity of perspective, life experience and skill are celebrated and part of our ethos.”
Board Director, Lamont Thurston added that L.E. Smith has a long history of being guided by women in leadership roles. “For decades women have provided the majority of L.E. Smith’s leadership,” he said. “The new WBE status now affirms the same for ownership.”
Clients benefit from supplier diversity with WBE certification
The certification process is designed to confirm the business is at least 51% owned, operated and controlled by a woman or women. By including women-owned businesses among their suppliers, corporations and government agencies demonstrate their commitment to fostering diversity and the continued development of their supplier diversity programs.
“It Is an honor and a privilege to be a WBENC-Certified Women’s Business Enterprise,” said Christine Wheeler, shareholder and COO. “As a company, this is such an amazing accomplishment and milestone that continues to show the strength and passion L.E. Smith has to proudly represent the WBENC.”
Brian Smith, shareholder and director of sales, added, “this is an exciting time for all of our stakeholders. The certification as a Women’s Business Enterprise fulfills the vision that has been shared by our company leadership for decades. We are elated that our clients and partners will benefit from this shift.”
L.E. Smith shareholders include Laura Juarez, chairperson of the board; Mari Ivan, CEO; Christine Wheeler, COO; Brian Smith, director of sales; and Kevin Smith.
LES grows from laminate countertops to a single source supplier
Becoming a WBENC-Certified Women’s Business Enterprise is a significant milestone for the company, but L.E. Smith is no stranger to innovation and change. After all, our company’s history began when Lawrence Edward Smith began selling metal moldings for countertop edges from his father’s chicken hatchery in 1950. From there, it did not take long for L.E. Smith to grow and eventually become the nation’s largest single-location laminate countertop fabricator.
Over the decades, our list of products and services has continued to evolve as we have adapted to changes in industry trends and client needs. Today, L.E. Smith offers the most in-demand countertop and surface materials along with a commitment to ensuring exemplary client services.
Our team is continually analyzing trends in construction, renovation and design to ensure our product offerings include the most in-demand colors, styles and materials. Regardless of whether you are looking for a trendsetting solid surface kitchen countertop, affordable natural stone bathroom vanity or low-maintenance laminate countertop, you can find what you need at L.E. Smith. This is why many of our clients choose L.E. Smith to be their single-source supplier for countertops and surfaces.
- Laminate
- Solid Surface
- Laminate Panels
- PVC Edge Tops
- VanitEase® Bathroom Vanities
- Granite
- Quartz
- Cultured Marble
- Quartz (available for commercial projects)
“It is that focus on innovation that has allowed us to help our clients become more profitable as a result of their partnership with L.E. Smith,” said Mari Ivan, shareholder and CEO. “We have continued to evolve over our 70-year history, and are proud to now be recognized as a Women’s Business Enterprise. Our team is eager to collaborate with new and existing clients on how this certification can have a meaningful impact on their businesses.”
For more information about The L.E. Smith Company and our national certification as a Women’s Business Enterprise, visit https://www.lesmith.com/our-company/about-us.
