Fourth Generation G.A. Gertmenian Rug Importers’ Headquarters Launched by Oltmans in L.A.’s Lincoln Heights

LOS ANGELES–G.A. Gertmenian & Sons, the fourth generation importer and wholesaler of accent and area rugs that successfully made the transition from antique oriental rugs, recently celebrated the groundbreaking for a 150,000 square foot corporate headquarters and warehouse in the Lincoln Heights area of Los Angeles.

Oltmans Construction Co., a 75-year-old general contractor based in Whittier, CA, is overseeing the design and build project located on a four-acre site at 300 W. Avenue 33 just north of downtown Los Angeles and east of the 110 Freeway. Mark Bergman is the project manager for Oltmans Construction Co.

Bergman stated that the new G.A. Gertmenian headquarters will be a concrete tilt-up structure featuring approximately 25,000 square feet of mezzanine offices. A fall 2008 completion is scheduled. HPA of Irvine, CA, is the architect.

G.A. Gertmenian & Sons’ fourth generation Partner Peter Gertmenian, who spearheaded the company’s transition from leadership in oriental rugs to higher volume rugs serving some of the nation’s largest retailers, said the Lincoln Heights building will consolidate the headquarters together with two other facilities in East Los Angeles and City of Commerce. “Today we are in the volume rug business selling to major retailers including COSTCO, Sam’s and Wal-Mart,” Gertmenian said.

Peter Gertmenian’s father, Senior Partner Tom Gertmenian, added: “We began as a small firm over 100 years ago in upstate New York where my grandfather launched the company. We have evolved with the times, stayed in the family and continued to thrive as a distribution company here in Los Angeles when so many firms choose to move out to Ontario, Arizona, or even to the southeastern U.S. where land prices are a fraction of those in Los Angeles.

“We identified a site in Lincoln Heights over six years ago. The site was a former industrial facility that had been vacant and dormant. We worked with the state DTSC and the former owner to remediate the site and prepare the land to come back into use. We will employ initially around 75 people at the site.” G.A. Gertmenian & Sons is owned and managed by Tom Gertmenian,his brother Don Gertmenian and Tom’s son Peter. The groundbreaking was attended by family member and retired partner, Con Gertmenian.

Mike Fong, field deputy for Councilmember Ed P. Reyes, in whose First Council District the new project resides, said: “We look at this infill project as an opportunity to increase the job base for area residents. Our office is aware that the Gertmenians had three separate locations and wanted to consolidate. We worked with them on planning and land use issues to make the project happen.”