kollmann monumental history

Granite Memorials

Granite Benches

Granite Signs

Civic Memorials

Mausoleums

Architectural & Landscape

PHONE: 320-251-8010

800-659-8010

FAX: 320-251-8019

Products Services Retailers Colors & Finishes Carvings & Lettering Specials & New Ordering Info.

COMPANY HISTORY

outside of shop and office 1935

KOLLMANN MONUMENTAL WORKS, INC. ››› COMPANY HISTORY

Kollmann Monumental Works is a fourth generation

family owned business that has been in existence for

over eighty years. The dream began in St. Cloud, MN

with Peter J. Kollmann, who came to this country from

Germany. He understood the importance of granite and

the essential roll that it plays in the economy of Central

Minnesota. The pictures (1935) to the right show the first

office and shop that Peter built to initially start KMW.

Most of our workers that remember him will never forget

the deep respect that he had for all employees.

Our current mill foreman Tony Bursch says that Peter

was always friendly and would treat every employee

as his best friend. Peter passed away in 1959 and the

family business was passed down to Ralph F.

Kollmann.

Ralph was born in central Minnesota and went to

school at St. John's. He married Anne Hinnenkamp who

was from Melrose, MN. Ralph enjoyed to Hunt and fish

when he was not focusing on work. Ralph began to

expand the business during his time as the president

of KMW. Ralph expanded the shop and office to allow for

the increased workflow of products. He also created

the manufacturing mill. The polishing and sawing mill

was built to allow KMW to have full control over the quality

of products that are able to be produced.

Ralph retired in 1985 and would later pass away in

1990 at the age of 72.

Richard "Dick" E. Kollmann worked at Kollmann's for

numerous years learning the skills of the granite

industry. In 1985 Dick took over the family business.

Dick has a passion for raising Birmingham Rolling

pigeons, exploring the outdoors, playing golf, hunting,

fishing, and training his Black Lab.

Dick has made extensive changes throughout

Kollmann's in the past 20 years. He has remodeled

the shop, mill and office to accommodate the ever

changing needs of the industry. Dick has installed the

latest granite manufacturing equipment such as: wire

saws, polishing equipment, granite splitters,

compressors, radial arm saws, and jig saws.

Dick has also installed new granite carving equipment

such as: automatic sandblasters, shape carving rooms,

CAD designing equipment, and a laser etching machine.

Dick has added several suppliers from around the

globe to ensure that Kollmanns has a great selection of

superior quality granites. After all the years that

Kollmanns has been around Dick still insists on the

Kollmann guarantee, which is given to every customer

and strives to ensure a superior quality product is

created every time.

Dick's son, Peter John Kollmann, has been fully

involved in the business since 2000 and is the 4th

generation of Kollmanns to work for the company. Peter

graduated from Saint Cloud State University in 2007
with a degree in Marketing. You can find Peter

golfing, downhillskiing, mtn. biking or just enjoying the

outdoors when he is not busy at work.

You will definitely see one of them if you stop into the

office.

We look forward to the progression of Kollmann

Monumental Works through future generations of

friends and family.

inside the shop 1935

Inside the shop around 1935

ralph and friend Bill Schwartz with Wyoming elk

Ralph Kollmann (on the right) after a hunting trip to Wyoming
with longtime friend and customer Bill Schwartz.

dick kollmann with wife connie and cousin mike boyle

Dick Kollmann with wife Connie on left and cousin mike on right.

shop and office winter 2004

The office and shop (winter 2004)

Peter Kollmann dishing out a uniqe birdbath memorial

www.Kollmann.com

Home| About Us| Contact Us

Last Updated: 07/16/2007 04:06:15 PM -0400

Site Created by: