Braen Expands!

Since 1904, contractors across Northern New Jersey have come to count on Braen Stone for the materials they need to build everything from highways to driveways and bridges to tunnels.

This includes providing a diverse line of aggregates, recycled materials, and hot mix asphalt to all parts of the construction industry. Since 2019 Braen has hired 94 active employees. They have helped us…

Braen Stone Acquires New Quarry in Whitehall, NY

We are excited to announce that we have expanded our operations by acquiring a new stone quarry in January of 2022. Purchased from Azzil Granite Materials, Braen Stone of Whitehall is situated on roughly 150 acres in Upstate New York, just 35 minutes from Lake George on the Vermont border in Washington County.

Already recognized as one of the largest producers of construction materials in northern New Jersey, our ability to mine granite at Braen Stone of Whitehall marks a strategic step in our company’s growth. This additional site – the fifth in our family of Braen-owned-and-operated stone quarries – will allow us to better supply the New York market as well as to serve new and current customers throughout the entire Tri-State region.

We anticipate ramping up operations this spring, and have already committed to supplying jetty rock to South Jersey shore points. Even as we grow, our team remains focused on safely producing quality materials and fostering the commitment to customers and their jobs that has helped build our reputation as one of the most trusted partners in the industry. Fun Fact: Whitehall, NY, is a picturesque town that is known for its annual Sasquatch Festival & Calling Contest, which features “Bigfoot” researchers, food, and family activities.

Braen Stone of Sparta Now Open 24/7

Business has been booming at our Sparta location, which is now open 24 hours a day to meet customer demand. This quarry is a source of jetty rock and limestone for our customers, and we also operate an Asphalt Plant on the site.

Braen Supply Expands to Randolph, NJ

Braen Supply is now officially open on the former site of Curly Stone on Route 10 in Randolph! We hosted a Grand Opening & Expo on April 1^st, where we welcomed members of the town council and invited vendors to showcase their products. Our third location in New Jersey (in addition to Haledon and Wanaque), Braen Supply Randolph features an outdoor display area and is open to contractors and homeowners. We look forward to helping you with all of your landscape and masonry projects!

Braen Stone Wins 2 Awards At NJAPA 2021 Pavement Awards

On October 6, 2021, the New Jersey Asphalt Pavement Association (NJAPA) held its annual awards program honoring professionals in the pavement industry. The Annual Paving Awards were held at The Wave Resort in Long Branch, NJ and recognized the outstanding work of NJAPA members within the past year.

Braen Stone was the recipient of two prestigious awards this night.

The first was awarded for playing a critical role in resurfacing of a state highway or toll road with a thin overlay and a minimum of 5,000 tons of asphalt pavement. Braen Stone received the award for supplying the asphalt for Route 287 Northbound, Route 202/206 to South Street job, Della Pello Paving, Inc. was the contractor on the job.

The second award involved the new construction or rehabilitation of a state highway or toll road with a minimum of 10,000 tons of asphalt pavement. Braen Stone received the award for supplying the asphalt for Interchange 14 – T200.497 – Concrete Roadway Repairs & Resurfacing project, Crisdel Group, Inc. was the contractor on the job.

Each of these achievements acknowledges Braen Stone’s commitment to the New Jersey community and pavement industry.

About the NJAPA

The New Jersey Asphalt Pavement Association is a statewide organization that was founded in 1933. As the oldest construction-oriented organization, NJAPA is committed to enhancing the general business environment and adding value to the development and maintenance of transportation infrastructure.

NJAPA works closely with regulators, legislators, specifiers, and other trade associations to increase effectiveness and facilitate the use of innovative technology in design and construction. NJAPA’s mission is to promote the broadest application of Hot Mix Asphalt (HPA) and ensure that asphalt pavement remains the pavement of choice.

We would like to extend our congratulations to everyone who won an award at the 2021 NJAPA awards.

Photo Credit: Andrew Mills

Braen Stone Leadership Team Introduces Values Award Program and Names the First Recipients

During the 2021 Virtual Team Gathering the Braen Leadership Team introduced the Values Award Program. At our 116th event, which was held in 2020, the Leadership Team had noted that they were going to be rolling out the new program, however, due to COVID-19 and the circumstance of this past year, it was not rolled out as originally planned, but the goal was to remain as true to the original plan as possible.

Supervising managers were asked to nominate employees that they felt live by Braen’s core values, and there were over 30 nominations for this year’s Values Award! The nomination process consisted of interviews and an extensive discussion amongst the Braen Leadership Team to determine who was deserving of the award. The Braen Leadership Team narrowed down the nominations down to two employees for each core value, Service, Integrity and Respect and one overall winner.

The winners of the Service Award were Tom Lynch and Rich DeBonte, who practice servant leadership as they meet the needs of others. Tom and Rich resemble service not only internally, to everyone they work with on the Braen Team, but externally as well, as they encounter Braen’s customers and/or vendors. Rich says, “I am humbled to be one of the recipients of the first Value Awards given by Braen Stone. It’s an honor to work for a company that recognizes the contributions of its employees.”

The Integrity Award was granted to Kevin Harmyk and Wilbur Corter, who consistently practice and reflect Braen’s businesses beliefs. Kevin and Wilbur continue to always stay true to their promises, always operate with consistency, and make sure everyone is treated with respect. When asked what winning this honor as meant to them, Wilbur noted, “I am proud to work for a company who acknowledges its employees,” and Kevin continued saying, “I am partial to C. S. Lewis’ quote, ‘Integrity is doing the right thing, even when no one is watching.’”

Carl Ross and Jennifer McMaster, who both ensure that everyone counts and is treated equally, won the Respect Award. Carl and Jennifer lead by example, care about everyone they meet, and always have the best interest of the company in mind. Carl noted, I would like to thank Braen Stone and the Braen family for choosing me for this award. I Am very humble for this recognition,” and Jennifer continued saying, “Thank you! An abundance of gratitude for the presentation of receiving the ‘respect’ value award. I am enamored with honor and blessed to be a part of an extraordinary company! ‘Let yourself feel the pride, but always stay humble and kind.’”

The Overall Award was granted to Mark Deighan. Mark continuedly resembles all three core values, service, integrity, and respect. Mark is always happy to help others and live out the Braen Core Values. Mark says, “Other than his family, being named the Vision and Values winner is my greatest honor. I have a great team!”

Congratulations to all the Values Award winners!

One Quarry Job Creates Nearly Five Others

As a family owned and operated business, Braen Stone believes in keeping customers informed with valuable information. This blog post by the National Stone, Sand & Gravel Association explains the benefits of quarry jobs and the overall effect they have on the economy.

The following post is an article by the National Stone, Sand & Gravel Association. The writer that wrote the article below is not affiliated with Braen Stone in any way.

EACH JOB IN A QUARRY supports nearly five jobs, 4.87 to be exact, in other industries and sectors, and this multiplier effect is found at the local and state levels.

This is just one of many facts found by the Washington D.C.-based Phoenix Center, which released an economic analysis of exactly how a stone, sand or gravel operation impacts jobs, tax revenues, other businesses and other key economic indicators in a community.

The Economic Impact of the Natural Aggregates Industry: A National, State, and County Analysis was conducted by George Ford, Ph. D., chief economist at The Phoenix Center and quantifies the current impact of the aggregates industry on the broader economy and sheds light on how an expansion of the industry, perhaps through new infrastructure spending, might ripple through the economy. “If you create opportunity in a county next door, that income comes back. It creates a feedback loop.

This study helps to see how a specific operation can affect any nearby community,” said Ford. A lot of the economic benefits can be attributed to the salaries from the aggregates industry, which are higher than the national average wages. According to the analysis, not only does the aggregates industry generate $27 billion in annual sales and employ 100,000 workers at above-average wages, the economic activity in the sector has large effects on other industries.

The industry also supports $122 billion in national sales, $32 billion in national earnings (i.e., wages) and between 364,000 and 600,000 jobs across a wide range of occupations and industries. “We know that a quarry cannot start or grow without local permits and approval.

Unfortunately, it’s often the case that local zoning committees or state departments and even neighbors oppose quarries seeking permits,” said Michael W. Johnson, NSSGA president and CEO. “This is a welcome study for our industry. One that helps to clearly demonstrate the value of aggregates operations have for towns and cities, states and the nation’s economy.”

In many cases, the benefits of a quarry are similar at the state level. Because aggregates are consumed by housing and construction projects within 50 miles of the quarry that produced them, these products literally shape their communities. In Connecticut, the state’s 486 quarry jobs translate into 2,267 statewide jobs. Texas, the state with the largest quarry work force, has 11,506 statewide jobs resulting from its 4,257 quarry jobs.

Ford said that the Phoenix Center study stands in contrast to a housing estimate study from the University of Auburn. The economist who authored the study measured house values up to five miles away from a quarry and inferred that quarries negatively affect those values.

“It’s utter garbage,” Ford said. “When you are looking for land for a quarry, do you look at Beverly Hills? No. You look for inexpensive land where there aren’t many people. When you find that, you find inexpensive homes… but you’re purposefully not locating where housing prices are high!”

Ford pointed out the long-term impacts of a quarry on communities. “Many times, people use these surveys to show an immediate benefit. But some quarries are family-owned and operated for generations at a time,” Ford said. “In Birmingham, a quarry started operating in 1884 and has plenty of rock left.

So, this study really shows the long-term benefits that quarries provide as far as jobs, income and business for a county and neighboring areas.” Also, the survey highlights that the benefits of a quarry do not end when a company finishes quarrying operations. “As a scuba diver, I know most people learn to dive in a rock quarry if you’re not near an ocean.

You have a Six Flags in a former rock quarry. Golf courses are in former quarries, heck the U.S. Open was recently played at one,” Ford said. “These are permanent benefits.” Read the full report at http://www.phoenix-center.org/scorecards/AggregatesIndustry2017 ScorecardFinal.pdf

Samuel Braen, Jr. Inducted into the NJAPA Hall of Fame

The New Jersey Asphalt Pavement Hall of Fame was established to recognize and honor individuals who have made significant and lasting contributions to the asphalt pavement industry leading to innovations in the production and placement of asphalt pavement, in the usage of asphalt as a paving material, and in the general advancement and recognition of the industry.

This year we are honored to announce that Samuel Braen, Jr. has been inducted into the New Jersey Asphalt Pavement Association Hall of Fame. Being a pioneer for New Jersey’s Hot Mix Asphalt industry, Samuel Braen coined one of the mottos used by Samuel Braen’s Sons, “Pioneer of Progress”. After taking over day to day control from his father in 1962, Sam strived to make his vision of modernizing Samuel Braen Sons’ operations a reality.

His vision for the future came at a time when other Hot Mix Asphalt producers in the New Jersey market were focused on the now. In order to achieve his goals, Sam spent his weekend touring other operations, sometimes as far as Georgia and the Midwest, and drawing up plans often on yellow legal pads and napkins.

Throughout his career, Sam made an impact on the quarries and asphalt plants that he managed. Creating more opportunities and introducing new components that had not traditionally been used on asphalt plant in this region before. With the innovation of all the asphalt plants to include modern technology, it only made sense to improve the operation in other areas. Samuel Braen, Jr. also sought to make improvements in his asphalt quality control departments as well as equipment.

Samuel Braen, Jr.’s vision for innovation and modernization poised Braen Stone to not only be a leader in the industry, but continue into the fifth generation and beyond.

Revised Hours for Thanksgiving 2016!

Happy Thanksgiving!

As we celebrate this holiday together with family and friends, we feel it’s only right to stop and give thanks for everything we have. At Braen Supply, we’re thankful for you and our local community.

We know you’ll be celebrating Thanksgiving with friends and family in the coming days and we’ll be doing the same.

That means we’ll be away from the stores for a little while, so we want to make sure you are aware of our revised hours.

Braen Supply of Haledon and Wanaque will both be operating on the following schedule for Wednesday, November 23rd – Saturday, November 26th.

Wednesday, November 23rd: 7AM – 3PM
Thursday, November 24th: Closed for Thanksgiving
Friday, November 25th: 7AM – 1PM
Saturday, November 26th: 7AM – 1PM

We wish you and your families a very Happy Thanksgiving!

Spring Hours Are In Effect at Braen Supply

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]With warmer weather on the horizon we know you’re eager to get started on your next project.

That’s why starting on Monday, April 6th we’ll be expanding our hours for the upcoming season.

Now you’ll always have access to the materials you need, when you need them.

Braen Supply Spring Hours

The hours for our Wanaque and Haledon locations below will go into effect on April 6th, 2015.

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Haledon, NJ

Monday – Friday: 7 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Saturday: 7 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Sunday: Closed[/vc_column_text][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1/2″][vc_column_text]

Wanaque, NJ

Monday, Wednesday – Friday: 7 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Tuesday: 7 a.m. – 8 p.m.
Saturday: 7 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Sunday: Closed[/vc_column_text][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1/1″][vc_column_text]We can’t wait to start working with you on your upcoming projects. If you have any questions or concerns please don’t hesitate to reach out to any Braen Supply specialist.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]

Braen Supply of Wanaque and Haledon Will Have Revised Hours on 11/22 & 12/6

Landscape and Masonry Supplies for Sale in NJ We pride ourselves on providing you with the best prices and experience possible in the area.

To ensure that we can continue to excel at meeting your needs, we need to temporarily close our Haledon and Wanaque locations (on separate Saturdays).

Both locations will reopen with normal hours on the following Monday.

We’re Closed in Haledon on 11/22/14

Braen Supply in Haledon will be closed on Saturday, November 22, 2014.

We will remain open in our Wanaque location to assist you with all of your construction and landscaping needs. Our Wanaque hours will be from 7 a.m. – 3 p.m.

We will resume our normal operating hours in our Haledon location on Monday, November 24th at 7 a.m.

We’re Closed in Wanaque on 12/6/14

Braen Supply in Wanaque will be closed on Saturday, December 6, 2014.

Our Haledon location will remain open from 7 a.m. – 1 p.m. to assist you with all of your construction and landscaping needs.

We will resume our normal operating hours in our Wanaque location on Monday, December 8th at 7 a.m.

Material Deliveries on 11/22 & 12/6

Braen Supply will not be making material deliveries on 11/22 or 12/6. If you are in need of materials on these dates we recommend speaking with a Braen Supply specialist to schedule deliveries for the Friday prior or Monday after.

We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause. If you have any questions or concerns please don’t hesitate to reach out to a Braen Supply specialist.

The Largest Supplier of Decorative Gravel in NJ & NY

Decorative Gravel Supplier in NJ & NY.jpg The appearance of your residential or commercial property plays a significant role in its curb appeal, its value and in how others perceive your home or business. Many opportunities exist to maintain or enhance the appearance of your property through water features, walkways, stairs, plants, and decorative stones or gravel.

Whether you’re hoping to install a gravel driveway or begin a rock garden, it’s important that you find the right decorative gravel supplier in NJ & NY to meet your needs.

When it comes to selecting a decorative gravel supplier, bigger is better. You shouldn’t rush out to the largest big box home improvement retailer in your area, but rather, you should visit the supplier with the largest variety of decorative stones for you to choose from. Although bigger chain stores may initially seem to be the best option, it’s not likely that they will carry all of the stones and gravel that you are looking for. By going directly to a supplier in northern NJ, you can avoid multiple trips to multiple stores in order to beautify your landscape.

For some individuals landscaping involves more than just tracking down the right supplier. You may find yourself wondering which stones would work well on your property and how they can be incorporated into your current landscaping design. This guide will walk you through the various stones and gravel that are available, their many purposes and how to find the best decorative gravel supplier in the New Jersey and New York area.

Types of Decorative Gravel to Consider

A large decorative gravel supplier with a strong professional reputation will be able to offer customers a wide variety of stones to enhance their residential and commercial properties. As you plan your next landscaping project you might consider the use of decorative stones or gravel such as:

Pea gravel – Pea gravel is composed of rounded stones that have been sized through a series of aggregate screens down to a specific size. The small, smooth and rounded nature of these stones make them very popular for landscaping applications. Pea gravel comes in a variety of neutral colors which will vary from quarry to quarry.
Lava rocks – These igneous rocks were formed from the cooling of volcanic magma, and, as such, are very unique and visually appealing. Each rock is completely unique, as its rough and somewhat jagged edges are filled with cavities and pores. Typically, lava rocks are reddish in color, but are sometimes available in charcoal hues.
Mexican beach pebbles and stones – Mexican beach pebbles or stones are another excellent choice for enhancing your landscape. These stones have been rounded over time by the flowing waters and feature a number of beautiful, natural tints.
Yellow round “Jersey Shore” gravel – Unlike the typical gray and white gravel that most of us are familiar with, yellow round “Jersey Shore” gravel boasts a golden hue and also features tans, beiges, and browns. This unique coloration makes the gravel an excellent choice for decorating a landscape and can help your property stand out from those around you.
Red Stone – Red rocks have become increasingly popular due to their distinct color and texture. Red stones can become an eye-drawing element that is perfect for walkways, driveways and as a mulch replacement.
River Rock – River rock has been smoothed and rounded by years of rushing water. It has grown in popularity due to its classic and traditional look. This look can provide a unique perspective to your landscape as no two river rocks are alike, varying in both size and color. Like many of their decorative stone counterparts, river rock is very smooth to the touch.
White Marble Chip – White marble chips can help you add a clean and distinct look to your yard as a decorative stone for your driveway, walkways and even for other parts of your landscape. It comes in both 3/8″ and 3/4″ varieties, allowing you extreme flexibility in your landscape design.

Uses for Decorative Gravel

Both home and business owners love to make use of decorative gravel and rocks because they are so versatile. You might use these beautiful stones for purposes like:

Lawn replacement- For some property owners, the idea of regular lawn upkeep is very daunting. To avoid the hassle of watering or cutting the crass, these individuals choose to replace the lawn with decorative stones instead. This can be a very attractive alternative and will significantly cut back on the time and costs associated with regular lawn maintenance.
Mulch replacement – Although mulch is very effective at promoting healthy drainage, it tends to rot and decay over time. This means that it needs to be replaced on a regular basis. By making use of stones you can reap the same benefits that mulch has to offer while enhancing your lawn or garden’s appearance.
Paths and walkways – Decorative stones are an ideal way to either establish paths and walkways, or to edge them. Small, rounded gravel is ideal, as it is the most comfortable for walking upon. Visual interest can be added to your property by utilizing various colors in your gravel path, or by edging the path with larger stones of a different color family.
Play areas – Many modern homeowners are replacing other playground surfacing materials, like sand, with decorative gravel. They are doing this for several different reasons. Decorative gravel creates less of a mess than sand, is great for sensory development in children and is a more sanitary alternative.
Driveways – Gravel driveways are extremely attractive, functional and affordable. These relatively low-maintenance drives can completely change the appearance of your property. By talking to your trusted decorative gravel supplier you can get a better idea of how much gravel you will need for the project and which local contractor is best suited to help you complete the job.
Water features – Water features such as fountains, river beds, streams and waterfalls can all improve the look of your landscape. By incorporating decorative gravel and stones you can draw the eye to these features and make them the centerpieces of your property.

Choosing the Best Decorative Gravel Supplier

The best decorative gravel supplier in northern NJ will offer the largest variety of high quality decorative stones. Ultimately, you want this to be your “one stop shop” for obtaining the necessary materials for your landscaping project.

Braen Supply is the one of the leading suppliers of decorative stones and gravel in all of New Jersey and New York. Braen Supply specialists are available at all times to guide you through your project, help you find the materials you need and to ensure those materials are available when you need them. Decorative stone and gravel can be picked up or bulk delivered across NJ & NY.

Being a direct supplier of stones, gravel and other landscaping materials and tools, you can expect the best prices and support. With the help of the best decorative gravel supplier in NJ & NY you can transform your property into the stunning landscape of your dreams.