As we continue our decade‑by‑decade journey in celebration of our 90th anniversary, we turn to the 1950s. The 1950s were a decade defined by slow, steady, and self‑funded growth.
During this period, the firm continued to expand its capabilities while remaining focused on sound engineering, skilled union labor, and disciplined growth. Operations reflected this measured approach: the company maintained three private offices, an engineering department equipped with four drafting tables, and an accounting department with five desks. The service department operated from the first floor alongside a dedicated sheet metal shop office, reinforcing the close coordination between engineering, fabrication, installation, and service that defined the firm’s work.
In 1952, L.C. Kohlman, Inc. relocated to its fourth headquarters at 1801 N. Paulina, a significant milestone in the company’s physical growth. The new facility featured 10,000 square feet of shop space and 2,500 square feet of office space, providing room to support expanding operations and an increasingly diverse project portfolio.
Throughout the decade, the company steadily took on a wide range of projects, including small plants, small office buildings, supermarkets, plant additions, theaters, early computer rooms, and, eventually, many of Chicago’s larger buildings and industrial plants. This gradual expansion reflected a deliberate, self‑funded strategy; one that prioritized stability, quality, and long‑term sustainability over rapid growth.
The 1950s reinforced L.C. Kohlman, Inc.’s reputation as a reliable, technically grounded contractor, well positioned for the increasing scale and complexity that lay ahead. The momentum built during the 1950s set the stage for continued expansion and leadership.
Next month, we’ll continue our journey with a look back at the milestones that shaped our company in the 1960s.