Owner of construction company opens new equipment rental business

Luddy’s in Albion has array of tools and equipment for all kinds of jobs

Photos by Ginny Kropf: Employees of John Ludwick’s new equipment rental business stand in front of a skid steer and an excavator. From left are Bob Stilwell, Ludwick’s children Ava and Jack, Peter Sidari (in back) and Peter Pilon. The business is located at 419 West State St., Albion.

ALBION – Opening his own rental business is something John Ludwick has wanted to do for years. After much planning and assembling what could be called his “dream team,” Luddy’s Commercial/Residential Equipment Rental is a family affair, open for business at 419 West State St., Albion.

The Ludwick family, John and is wife Danielle, are not new to business, having owned Ludwick Paving and Concrete, which laid the groundwork for what has become Ludwick Constructors.

The couple started out 28 years ago with a used dump truck, several good friends and great family support. Over the years and many long days and nights, Ludwick Constructors has become a well-respected construction company that offers construction and maintenance services in the commercial, industrial and retail industries, according to Bob Stilwell, a cousin and director of marketing and sales for Luddy’s.

John Ludwick stands next to a selection of Stihl concrete saws, available to rent from his new business.

John’s skills and knowledge of the construction field made him realize the need to have an outlet for renting the very equipment he uses day to day. With his son Jack’s design for the company logo, John’s idea went from a concept to an actual brick and mortar store at 419 West State St.

Jack has worked for Ludwick Constructors since 2022 and has been working side by side with his father and other employees in the field. With the opening of Luddy’s Equipment Rental, Jack has been leading day-to-day logistics at the new business.

John and Danielle’s daughter Ava, who is completing her junior year in high school, will be running the front counter while attending school.

Jack Ludwick demonstrates a powered wheelbarrow at his father’s new equipment rental business.

Danielle works full time for the New York State Department of Corrections, but in her spare time will contribute her administration skills and work with Ava on bookkeeping.

It is truly a family operation, Stilwell said.

Peter Pilon has joined the business as retail manager. Many will recognize him from his years as co-owner of Dale’s Market and more recently as store manager at Ace Hardware. He brings 45 years of retail management experience to Luddy’s.

Also part of the new team is Peter Sidari, distribution and materials associate. A long-time friend of the family, he has worked for Ludwick Constructors part time since his retirement from the North Greece Fire District as a fire and life safety educator. Prior to that he had 22 years with the New York State Department of Transportation.

“Pete was always on my list to call when I needed help over the years, whether it was a laborer or a truck driver,” John said.

John and Danielle Ludwick, left, are shown with their staff at the new business they recently opened at 419 West State St., Albion. Next to them are Bob Stilwell, general manager; Peter Pilon, retail manager; Peter Sidari, distribution and materials associate; and Ludwick’s children Ava, front receptionist, and Jack, day-to-day logistics.

In Bob Stilwell’s new position as general manager, he will be dealing with purchasing, communication, marketing and sales, as well as commercial account management. He has several years of graphic design, marketing and sales experience from his years at Hickey Freeman, Ludwick Constructors and most recently, Lake Country Media.

“Anyone who knows the Ludwick family understands their work ethic and dedication to family, friends and community,” Stilwell said. “Stop in and see what they have to offer, make some suggestions of what you would like to see or maybe just have a cup of coffee and chat while sitting at the counter.”

John has tried to gather together the tools that contractors need, as well as tools for the do-it-yourself homeowner. His residential inventory includes rug doctors, pressure washers, floor sanders, sewer snakes, pumps and generators. He also has concrete products and mixes, grouts and mason mixes.

Pictured in the main showroom are, from left, Peter Pilon, Bob Stilwell and owner John Ludwick.

In the heavier equipment, he has skid steers, excavators, stone compactors, transits, jack hammers, concrete saws and concrete boring machines. He also thought it would be smart to offer a retail center with diamond blades, specialty taps, mag floats and a concrete epoxy coating selection.

Other equipment includes a walk-behind concrete grinder, gas-powered wheelbarrow for concrete, hepa vacuum (for cleaning up concrete dust), cleaning solutions for power washers, concrete Stihl saws and more.

Their selection of hardware and fasteners is growing, and they carry several sizes of saw blades, safety gear and cleaning supplies.

If they don’t have what you need, they will do their best to get it for you.

One bay at their new location is dedicated to cleaning, inspecting and servicing rented equipment when it is returned, before it is put back into service.

“We deliver and run through operating procedures with our customers if they need it,” John said. “We will supply our knowledge in running whatever piece of equipment they rent. It’s going to be fun working with people I grew up with. We spent many, many nights talking about doing this. It was now, or we will never do it.”

Luddy’s is open from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday and from 8 a.m. until noon on Saturday. For information, they can be reached at (585) 774-1924.

Bob Stilwell points out a jumping jack, used to compress stone.