Deep Roots
in Westchester (The
first generation)
Arthur Lange, Inc., is built upon a four-generation passion for service and quality. The company’s American roots begin in 1910, when Nicholas Lange arrived from Stuttgart, Germany.
He brought with him knowledge from the painting and decorating business his family maintained since the mid-1860s. It was natural for Nicholas, after settling in the Cross County
section of Yonkers, to establish a small painting firm specializing in servicing private homes.
The business thrived until the Great Depression. During those bleak years, Nicholas passed
away and his son, Arthur I (Arthur N. Lange), took over the family business.
"At one point,” recounts his son Arthur II (Arthur E. Lange), “my father had to walk five miles to work every day
with his paints in a hand-pulled wooden wagon because there was no money to put gas in the truck."
But the Depression didn’t last forever.
Part
of the County’s
History (The second
generation)
Arthur I (Arthur N. Lange), a natural businessman who was honest and capable, built the
business and expanded into commercial painting. The company painted area landmarks
including Sing Sing Prison, Roosevelt High School and the city halls of Yonkers and Mount
Vernon.
By the late 1950s, Arthur I’s reputation as an insightful and upright businessman
was so strong that the National Bank of North America offered him a position as
an executive loan officer. He was honored at the offer — and so confident in the
ability of Arthur II (Arthur E. Lange) to take over the family business — that he
accepted and began a new career.
A Father’s Lessons: Service, Service, Service; Quality, Quality, Quality (The third generation)
Arthur II started working with his father at 16 and continued through high school and college.
He became president of the company in 1962 and decided to concentrate on residential
work, building a strong reputation in the Bronxville area.
"Then, as now, most of our business came from referrals, so satisfying clients was key,"
says Arthur II. Later, he began to expand the company’s services to include carpentry. That
move proved fateful as the great home renovation, expansion and construction boom of the
1980s took off. Within a few years the company grew into a full-service construction firm.
Arthur II’s management principles supported the company’s success: 1) hire talented, experienced people and
treat them well so they are motivated to do their best work; and 2) provide outstanding customer service. Arthur
Lange, Inc. soon began to be known as a residential firm with integrity and quality craftsmanship.
During the busy days of the ’80s, Arthur II’s son, Arthur C. Lange (who is Arthur III but is known as Artie), began
working for his father. He tried house painting, but preferred carpentry. Learning from his father’s craftsmen,
Artie’s skills grew. After graduating from Lynchburg (Va.) College in 1988 with a marketing degree, Artie went to
work full-time in the family business. He drew upon the tradition of service and quality he absorbed at his father’s
side and added new approaches.
24x7 Service for
the 21st Century (The fourth generation)
Under Artie’s leadership, the company has continued to evolve. Today Arthur Lange, Inc.
is a full-service construction management and home maintenance company. The firm is
bonded, fully insured, participates in the Workers’ Compensation Program, and is a
licensed contractor in Westchester County. The crew consists of skilled craftsmen who
can do everything from sheetrock to gold leaf. Arthur Lange, Inc. will soon begin its
second century of operation, continuing a tradition of service, quality and Arthurs:
Arthur IV (AJ) was born in 1999.
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