In 1952, Walter Kollmar and his wife Shirley purchased Shelby Sheet Metal and Plumbing in Grandview, Wa.  Walter had gained sheet metal experience at Kollmar Sheet Metal in Seattle Wa. a business then owned and operated by his uncle.  He was working for his uncle on a salmon cannery on an island at Dutch Harbor Alaska when the island was bombed by the Japanese.  Walter joined the Army and became flight cadet, later flying P-51 aircraft.

Walt and Shirley (who did the business bookkeeping) worked in the small shop on North Division Street until 1981. The business was moved to its present location at 410 Old Inland Empire Highway - Grandview, was incorporated, and the name was changed to Kollmar Inc at that time. 

 

The Kollmar's son Jerry worked in the shop since he was old enough to reach the work benches.  He went through the apprenticeship program and became a journeyman sheet metal worker at an early age.  When Walt retired from the business in 1990.  Jerry ran the day to day business while continuing to work at the trade.  Jerry recently retired, and the business in now run by his much younger and much better looking wife, Sharon Kollmar.

 

Jerry and Sharon's 3 sons (Steve - Alan - Daniel ) have all worked for the business.  Their daughter Jesse is the bookkeeper and receptionist.  A son in-law, Cesar and a grandson, Sam also work at the shop.  So does a nephew, Kyle.