Kuhlman Builders
celebrates 50th anniversary
The family firm is still going strong, thanks to a
dedication to hard work and high quality
It all began in 1957 when William T. and Jane Kuhlman were selling a
house. The would-be buyers liked it but wanted something a little more unique-and
they got it when W.T., a framer carpenter, built one to their specifications.
W.T. quickly decided to start his own home building company, but soon diversified
into commercial work to better achieve success, knowing that while one market
was down the other was often up.
W.T. and Jane had seven kids, and each went into the family firm. W.
T. passed the business along to his offspring in 1988, retiring to come
into the shop anyway to restore tractors and other equipment, just for fun.
The family joke is that it took all seven kids to replace the two parents
in the firm.
Eldest Dave is now president, with Scott and Dean as vice presidents/project
supervisors and Bruce as secretary/project manager-all the brothers are
co-owners. Sister Lynn Kuhlman Morman serves as office manager with sister
Deb Kuhlman Leopold as customer relation's representative. Brother Bob,
who had been a residential project manager, recently left the firm to work
for Superior Building Products. The siblings meet often, but try to keep
conversations away from construction at family parties, usually unsuccessfully.
Diversification works
The firm now handles excavating, concrete, framing, structural steel,
hollow metal doors and other tasks. Casework and cabinetry for commercial
kitchens, factories and administration buildings is also a thriving part
of the business. Another valuable adjunct is Duro-Last Roofing Inc., of
Saginaw MI, a custom-prefabricated, reinforced, thermoplastic single-ply
membrane roofing system. Extremely durable and easily installed by authorized
contractors without disruption, it can be used on any flat or low-sloped
application, such as factories, schools and businesses. This division
is headed by Bruce Kuhlman
Kuhlman also handles Ceco Building Systems, framing and paneling components
that provide economical yet functional and attractive structures for commercial,
industrial, institutional, and many other applications.
Last year was the most successful in the firm's history, worth $4.5 million,
and this year, after a first half slowdown, business is rebounding. Kuhlman's
plan is to pick up more private work and get away from the tight margins
of public projects. To this end, it is expanding its marketing effort, using
everything from brochures to the Internet.
The company is also actively looking to branch out and extend its service
area, working eastward to Cleveland, for instance. But throughout all the
changes, one thing remains constant: Kuhlman's place in its community and
its reputation for solid workmanship and customer satisfaction. BXM
Portfolio
Kuhlman can handle projects from schools and churches to industrial
buildings to banks and fire stations
Current work:
- Ohio Northern University : renovation of sidewalks and installation
of 12 Remington sculptures of the Old West
- Peace Lutheran Church addition
- Pro-Tec coatings renovations
- Summit Ethanol Plant new construction
2007
- Union Bank Co. new construction, plus all other Union Bank Co. branches
- Community Action Commission Childcare of Ottawa renovations
2006
- ESC Skilled Learning Center new construction : $2.4 million, 31,000-sf
education service center; used only half of allotted budget, $2.5 million,
completed Aug 2006
- Northwest Physical Therapy new construction
- Gilboa United Methodist Church addition
- Tawa Tree Service metal building, Kalida Manufacturing addition
2005
- Montessori School of Bowling Green additions
2004
- University of Findlay Enger Hall renovation and additions
- Graff Chevrolet renovations
- Ottawa Fire Station new construction
- Otesgo Bus Maintenance Building new construction
2003
- R&K Properties new construction
- McClure Public Library new construction
2002
- n Pike Run Golf Course renovations
- n Sky Bank new construction
2001
- University of Findlay Croy Physical Education Building renovations
- Ottawa-Glandorf High School renovations
2000
- Monroe Township Fire House new construction
- Putman Co. EMS Building Ambulatory Care Center addition
- Physicians Plus additions BXM
Keeping close community ties
The Kuhlman company culture calls for maximized communication and coordination
Kuhlman Builders Inc. is heavily service-oriented, and its family focus
is key to how the firm does business. One goal is to make sure the employees
are in harmony, with the total staff dedicated to creating a culture of
communication and continuity. Having four Kuhlman brothers currently in
the business (plus two sisters) lets the company play close attention to
detail and assures close ties with the entire construction team.
Part of this comes from top service to clients. Dave Kuhlman and Eric
Humrickhouse, a mechanical engineer, serve as estimators with advanced skills
in figuring out project costs. This expertise leads the firm to begin concentrating
on design/build, using design skills to create cost-effective structures
for clients from the beginning.
Kuhlman's is also dedicated to creating partnerships with subcontractors.
"We stick with the great subs, the ones that do quality work, and we
build great relationships with them," says Dave.
Top-notch communication also comes from being technologically savvy.
Kuhlman's uses laptops to link field workers to the office along with Computer-Ease
software for job costing, A project management module will allow improved
interaction with subs, better scheduling and the capacity to deal with shop
drawings.
Winning ways
The management focus t appears to be working. Kuhlman Builders was given
the 2006 Excellence in Construction Award of the ABC Northern Ohio Chapter
for the 31,000-sf Putman Co. ESC/Skilled Learning Center, a federally funded
facility to train displaced workerson time at about half the budget.
It also won Duro-Last's Master Contractor Award for 2007.
But success for Kuhlman Builders isn't sufficient in and of itself. It
allows the firm a way of giving back to the community, both as an organization
and as individuals, with the goal of making Putnam Co. a better place to
live. Dave serves as a board member of the Associated Builders and Contractors/Northern
Ohio Chapter. Dave, Bruce and Scott are also active in their church, and
Dean as a basketball and football coach at the Y. Lynn is active in the
Rotary and Deb has served with the Cub Scouts and Red Cross blood drive.
The firm also contributes to a wide variety of charities and civic groups.
With deep roots in its community and an outstanding management philosophy,
Kuhlman Builders is ready to move on to its next 50 years of success.
BXM
