Your Trusted Building Partner Since 1932
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. We are a full-service general contracting company specializing in the commercial and industrial, e-commerce, outpatient healthcare and wellness, private education, sustainability, infrastructure, and tenant improvement markets.
Honesty & integrity
A true builder, Oltmans Construction Co. is a self-performing concrete tilt-up contractor with over 300 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
2025
John Gormly, CEO Emeritus
March 2025 - After 50 years of service and tenure at Oltmans Construction Co. John Gormly retires and accepts the continued position of CEO Emeritus and Board Member. Charlie Roy accepts the position of Chairman of the Board.
2023
Oltmans Business Booms with Sales Reaching $955M
March 2023 - Oltmans Construction Co. announces our highest annual volume in the history of the company at $955-million.
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 transitions to Chairman Emeritus, with John Gormly assuming the roles of CEO and Chairman of the Board and Charles Roy being promoted to President. During this milestone period, Oltmans Construction Co. earns the #137 position on ENR’s Top 400 Contractors list and achieves Great Place to Work® (GPTW) certification for the first time. Great Place to Work is a global, third-party research and consulting organization that evaluates, certifies, and recognizes companies for building high-trust, people-first workplace cultures.
2014
Oltmans Launches the Strategic Markets Group
Oltmans Construction launches the Strategic Markets Group, a division specializing in healthcare and private education construction. The group wins the bid to build the Collins and Katz Family YMCA in Los Angeles, CA, on the University High School Campus under LAUSD jurisdiction.
2013
Oltmans Construction Volume Reaches $430M
2013 - Oltmans Construction Co. proudly completes the premiere Southwest Carpenters Union Training Facility in Buena Park, CA.
2012
First Ever Industrial Warehouse Building to Achieve LEED Platinum
The LD Products corporate headquarters achieves LEED Platinum Certification from the USGBC. It is the first ever industrial warehouse building to achieve a LEED Platinum certification under the new construction rating system for LEED v3 2009. LEED certification and sustainability construction becomes a focus throughout the company.
2009
Oltmans Starts the Solar Division
Oltmans launches the solar division and is considered one of the largest solar providers in Southern California. In that year, the company also completed the notable California Speedway project in Fontana, CA.
2006
Charles (Charlie) Roy is Promoted to Vice President of Oltmans Construction Co.
Charles (Charlie) Roy is promoted to Vice President of Oltmans Construction Co. 13 years later, Charlie is promoted to the position of President of Oltmans Companies.
2000
The Oltmans Foundation is Born
Under the guidance of J.O. Oltmans II, The Oltmans Foundation is established as a nonprofit organization dedicated to strengthening and supporting the communities where we live and work. Building on Oltmans Construction’s expertise, resources, and commitment to service, the Foundation strives to make a meaningful difference in the lives of those in need, with a focus on supporting veterans, families and children, and organizations providing food and shelter.
1997
#194 of ENR’s Top 225 International Contractors
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 By 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.
1990
Oltmans Launches Tenant Improvements Division
Oltmans launches its interior / tenant improvements (Special Projects Division), expanding our general contracting skills and project management expertise to the unique challenges of interior/exterior improvements, renovations, and seismic retrofits. Today, the tenant improvements division accounts for 25% of our annual revenue.
1985
Oltmans Opens New Whittier Headquarters
Oltmans Construction Co. has officially completed construction of its new headquarters campus, bringing together project management, estimating, accounting, and yard operations under one roof. Strategically located along Southern California’s primary freeway corridors, the new HQ positions the company to better serve clients and projects throughout the region.
1982
J.O. Oltmans II Becomes President
As the third-generation leader in the Oltmans family, Joseph O. Oltmans II is promoted to the position of president of Oltmans Construction Co. Over the next 37 years of leadership, the company grows from a $1-million organization in the 1950s to what it is today, a sophisticated general contractor accomplishing over $500 million in company-wide sales with a team of over 500 employees. Joe is recognized as a Commercial Real Estate Visionary in 2021 by the Los Angeles Business Journal.
1980
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
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.
1946
Oltmans Construction Co. becomes Incorporated in Los Angeles
Due to the desire to include D.J. Roy as a partner, a decision was made to form a corporation in California. The company is incorporated in 1946 by its founder, J.O. Oltmans and awarded the CA License #86393
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.
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.