Photographer / Jessica Whitehead
When Loren Stutzman moved from Florida to Indiana in the early 1990s, he noticed something missing from the landscape. In Florida, he’d grown accustomed to seeing seamless concrete edging around landscape beds, walkways and trees. In the Midwest, that type of edging hadn’t yet caught on. It wasn’t absent altogether, but it certainly wasn’t common.
In 1995, he decided to change that, and Concrete Borders was born. What began as a small operation has steadily grown into a leading provider of custom-designed, continuous concrete edging for homeowners throughout northern Indiana. Over the past 30 years, the company has earned a trusted name across the Michiana region.
“At first, people didn’t understand the concept of continuous edging,” Loren recalled during a recent interview. “Some had seen the old, segmented kind that sold in individual pieces, but they didn’t realize how much smoother and more durable a single, seamless piece could be.”
In the early days, Loren worked exclusively with plain concrete. As demand and styles evolved, he introduced color, followed by texture, stamping and decorative patterning. Every border now includes embedded steel cable reinforcement, ensuring added strength and long-term durability.
What truly sets Concrete Borders apart is the hands-on process behind every job. Each project is installed on-site using a specialized machine that extrudes a dry, moldable concrete mix — “kind of like a Play-Doh machine,” as he put it. Once the border is extruded, it is hand-troweled and, if desired, stamped with a decorative design, then sealed at the end of the project.
To help clients choose the right look, Stutzman brings along a rolling showroom of nearly 40 sample pieces showcasing different shapes, textures and color combinations.
Concrete Borders has grown into a true multigenerational business. Loren’s sons, Justin and Nathan, now manage projects and lead crews with confidence.
“They started young,” Loren recalled. “Back then, they’d ride along in the summer and just fill buckets of sand. Now they’re running jobs from start to finish.”
Loren’s wife, Joann, is an essential part of the team, overseeing office operations. Over the years, all their children have contributed to Concrete Borders’ success.
Evan, their oldest son, spent several years working for the company before launching his own business, Stutzman Landscaping. Ryan, the youngest, also worked alongside the team for a time before pursuing his passion for mechanics and service — though he still helps with company vehicle maintenance. Kaitlin, their oldest child and only daughter, was especially active in the early years, assisting with setup for home shows and other promotional events.
The company’s busiest season runs from late March through Thanksgiving, with a peak in late spring.
“That’s when most people start thinking about landscaping projects,” Loren explained. “Sometimes a bush or shrub has overgrown its space, or its landscape bed lines aren’t easy to mow. We help make those areas both functional and beautiful.”
The borders installed by Loren and his team serve more than a decorative purpose. They’re mower-friendly, help keep bed material in place, stop grass from growing into beds and are built to withstand Indiana’s extreme freeze-thaw cycles. Steel cable reinforcement in every installation helps prevent shifting or cracking.
Loren recommends resealing borders every three years to keep colors vibrant. Some of his earliest projects — completed more than two decades ago — are still going strong.
That long-term durability makes it possible to revisit and expand earlier work. If a homeowner wants to match a previous border, Stutzman can make it happen.
“We keep records of all the colors and patterns,” he said. “If we need to replace a section or expand on a previous job, we can blend the new work to match seamlessly.”
In response to customer needs, the company has expanded its services slightly. While continuous borders remain their focus, the team often installs mulch or decorative stone in surrounding beds and can relocate sprinkler heads or bury downspouts.
“Water drainage is a big concern to most homeowners,” Loren said. “We try to make sure water runoff moves away from the house, which helps protect both the foundation and the landscaping.”
Each job begins with an on-site consultation. Loren often walks the property with the homeowner, discussing practical and aesthetic goals. He spray-paints a proposed line in the grass to help clients visualize the layout before concrete is mixed.
“I always try to meet directly with the person making decisions,” he added. “That helps us avoid delays and ensures the customer is happy with the plan from the start.”
Referrals continue to drive much of the business. Neighbors of satisfied customers often see the results and want the same. When past clients move to new homes, they call Loren’s team again. That trust comes from consistent attention to detail.
The team goes out of its way to protect each client’s driveway and lawn. That care includes power washing and cleanup on every job and making sure all waste concrete is removed.
“When we finish, the space should look better than when we started,” he said.
That same philosophy applies to business practices. While some companies rely on rigid contracts and deposits, Concrete Borders operates with a personal touch.
“We try to be flexible with people’s schedules and budgets,” Loren said. “That’s just the way we’ve always done things.”
Loren speaks with pride and expertise built over decades of craftsmanship. He discusses concrete mixes, fiber additives and curing techniques with ease. He recalls early years working with a family friend to test mix ratios for strength and flexibility.
Loren values the impact a well-crafted border can have on a home. That same respect for lasting work carries into his personal life, where he enjoys time with his 12 grandchildren and creating meaningful memories.
Asked what motivates him after three decades, Loren didn’t hesitate.
“Every job is different, but seeing a client’s reaction and satisfaction after the project is completed is a real treat. Every yard has its own challenges and personality. We get to solve problems and create something beautiful, and I get to do it with family. That’s a real blessing.”
From curved tree rings to flowing lines that make mowing easier, Concrete Borders delivers craftsmanship, practical design and family-driven service — one smooth line at a time.
To schedule a consultation or learn more, contact Concrete Borders at 574-361-9672 or visit theconcreteborders.com.
