Your Trusted Building Partner Since 1932
We are a full-service general contracting company specializing in the commercial and industrial, e-commerce, affordable housing, healthcare and wellness, education, solar, infrastructure, and tenant improvement markets. We have earned our way to the top of California’s construction industry by staying true to the vision and business practices our founder J.O. Oltmans laid down nearly 90 years ago.
Honesty & integrity
A true builder, Oltmans Construction Co. is a self-performing concrete tilt-up contractor with over 400 craftspeople in the field, committed to doing right by our business partners and teams. The core of our success is the relationships we have built centered on integrity and honesty.
trust & Transparency
As much as we are a business, we try to maintain a meaningful workplace where each person is included and valued. We are proud to have within our organization, a diverse and inclusive environment built on trust and transparency.
Hard work
Our team shows up ready to put in a hard day's work. We are grateful to be able to use our expertise to build and improve our communities, allowing our reputation of excellence to speak for itself.
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An American Dream Story
The Oltmans story begins in 1886 with the birth of Joseph Overwin Oltmans, born Tjark Overwin Oltmann, in Northwest Germany. After the passing of Oltmans’ father, to give her children a better chance in life, Oltmans’ mother brought the family to America when Joseph was three months old, settling in Central Illinois. 46 years later, as the Great Depression came to an end, he would create a small, humble business that extended into the 21st Century, growing to over 500 employees, overseen by three generations of the Oltmans family. The company would become one of the largest commercial and industrial contractors in Southern California.
Our Timeline
2022
Celebrating Our 90th Anniversary
February 2022 – In 1932, Joseph Overwin Oltmans began a humble construction service in Downtown Los Angeles. Since that time, the company has continued an unshakeable commitment to its values of hard work, honesty, and integrity—ultimately, doing the right thing. Oltmans Construction looks forward to furthering its community-focused mission by honoring this 90-year legacy with every project it takes on and through every new team member it welcomes.
2020
Oltmans Construction Co. Opens Doors to New Regional Offices
Spring 2020 – Oltmans Construction Co. opens doors to new regional offices in the Inland Empire and Henderson, NV bringing the regional office count to five – four across California, and one in Nevada. The company holds contractor’s licenses in California, Nevada, Arizona, Utah, and New Mexico.
2019
J.O. Oltmans II Retires
Joseph O. Oltmans II becomes Chairman Emeritus, John Gormly takes over as CEO and Chairman of the Board, and Charles Roy is promoted to President. Oltmans Construction Co. is ranked at #137 on the ENR Top 400 List for 2019.
2018
Oltmans Business Booms with Sales Reaching $750M
Oltmans Construction Co. was recently recognized as one of the fastest growing private companies in Los Angeles County by the Los Angeles Business Journal. The company makes #70, with a revenue jump of 68% from 2015 through 2017. The company also completes its largest project to date, the Goodman Eastvale Commerce Center (Amazon) project.
2014
Oltmans Launches the Strategic Markets Group
Oltmans Construction launches the Strategic Markets Group, which specializes in healthcare and education construction.
2013
Oltmans Construction Volume Reaches $430M
2012
Oltmans Celebrates 80th Anniversary
2011
Oltmans Establishes Drywall Team
2009
Oltmans Solar Division is Established and Headed by Tony Perez
Oltmans Solar Division is established and headed by Tony Perez, Vice President. By 2020, the division has installed 196.3 MW throughout the western United States.
2006
Charles (Charlie) Roy is Promoted to Vice President of Oltmans Construction Co. 12 Years Later
Charles (Charlie) Roy is promoted to Vice President of Oltmans Construction Co. 12 years later, Charlie moves into the Senior Vice President position and effective April 1, 2019, takes on the position of President of Oltmans Companies.
2003
John Gormly Becomes President
2000
2000’s – Oltmans Starts the Solar Division
2000 — Oltmans launches the solar division and is considered one of the largest solar providers in Southern California. In this year, the company also completes the notable California Speedway project in Fontana, CA. 2001 — Oltmans makes ENR’s Top 400 Contractors at #138.
1990
1990’s – Oltmans Launches the Special Projects Division
1990 — Oltmans launches its Special Projects Division bringing our general contracting skills and project management expertise to the unique challenges of interior/exterior improvements, renovations and seismic retrofits. Today, the Special Projects Division accounts for 25% of our annual revenue. 1997 — Oltmans Board of Directors Group Photo (From Top Left): Robert Larson, John Gormly, Dan Schlothan, Basil Johnson, Antonio Perez, Robert Holmes, and J.O. Oltmans II 1999 — Oltmans ranks #194 of ENR’s Top 225 International Contractors and ranks #45 on LABJ’s Los Angeles Business Journal’s list of LA’s 100 Largest Private Companies.
1985
Oltmans Opens New Whittier Office
1982
J.O. Oltmans II Becomes President
1980
1980’s – Oltmans Opens Thousand Oaks Office and Celebrates Its 10,000TH Job in the Southland!
Oltmans celebrates its 10,000th Job in the Southland! – Queen of the Valley Medical Arts Building, a $12-million, 4-story medical office building in West Covina.
1975
John Gormly
John Gormly joins Oltmans in 1975 as an Estimator-Trainee. 28 years later he earns the title of President of the Board in 2003 and CEO/Chairman of the Board in 2019.
1970
1970's - Building Up
The Oltmans built Security Pacific Bank Tower Project in Westwood, CA is the winner of the “Building of the Decade Award,” by Western Los Angeles Regional Chamber of Commerce.
1964
The Third Generation of Oltmans
The Oltmans general contracting business is growing fast and total construction volume reaches $10 million. In 1964, J.O. Oltmans II, the son of O.H. Oltmans, joins the firm; making him the third generation of Oltmans to work at the company. He is named President in 1982 and CEO/Chairman of the Board in 2003.
1950
Oltmans Tops the $1m Mark in Construction Volume & Robert M. Holmes Joins Oltmans Construction
The 1950’s brings major growth for Oltmans Construction Co. The company tops the $1 million dollar mark by building projects like BF Goodrich, Thrifty Stores, and Goodyear. The company moves to the new 516 South Monterey Pass Road building and O.H. Oltmans implements the Employee Profit Sharing Plan. Robert M. Holmes begins his Oltmans career in 1950 as a Project Manager. His 19 years of dedication leads him to be Oltman’s third President and General Manager.
1940
Oltmans Pioneers Concrete Tilt-up Construction
1940 — Oltmans is the first to pioneer concrete tilt-up construction in Southern California. Our advancement in this field sets us apart from other commercial general contractors.
1946 — Due to the desire to include D.J. Roy as a partner, it was decided to form a corporation. The company is incorporated in 1946 by its founder, J.O. Oltmans. CA License #86393
1949 — Photos of Oltmans’ field employees.
1936
A Family Business - O.H. "Bud" Oltmans
In 1936 Oltmans brings into the business his son, “Bud”, who later becomes President and then Chairman of the Board. Daughter Helen also works for the company as a Designer. Oltmans’ business really takes off at the start of World War II. His clients include General Motors, Pacific Electric Railroad Co., Los Angeles Union Terminal Co., Southern Pacific Gas Co., and many others.
1932
A Partnership Begins, D.J. Roy Sr.
1932 – D.J. Roy Sr., Oltmans future Vice President, joins the firm and an official partnership is formed. He manages and supervises the field operations. Above are a few photos from his early years working in Los Angeles on projects like St. Vincent Church.
1930
The Beginning of Oltmans Construction Co.
In 1931 Oltmans decides to venture out for himself. He establishes the firm of J.O. Oltmans, General Contractor, hiring as his first employee Dennis Roy [1932], who becomes his right-hand man. Oltmans comes into official being in 1932 with a total construction volume of $26,000. Five years later [1938], the first office opens on East 18th Street, Los Angeles, CA with construction contracts grossing over $100,000.
Oltmans survives the Depression, operating in cubby holes of other firms’ offices to keep overhead at a minimum. Work was very scarce, but Oltmans built a sterling reputation that brought him much business after the Depression.
1912
J.O. Oltmans Early Career Working in California
In 1912, J.O. Oltmans transfers to Big Creek, California in the high Sierras to work on hydroelectric development for the Pacific Light and Power Co. of Los Angeles. Horseback is his only means of transportation. He became chief engineer and supervised several large construction projects between 1919-1924. He is elected to the American Society of Civil Engineers as an associate member, becoming a life member in 1956.
1910
J.O. Oltmans
J.O. Oltmans, founder of Oltmans Construction Co., graduates from Stanford University in 1910 with a degree in engineering. Oltmans lands his first civil engineering job with Stone and Webster working on the White River hydroelectric project in Sumner, Washington.