Kolbe Windows & Doors, launched by a pair of brothers in 1946, is celebrating its 75th anniversary this year. The work of Herb and Ervin Kolbe started with them repairing window frames and building sash from the family dairy farm near Marathon, Wis., before they purchased a 2,100-square-foot building in Wausau, named the company Kolbe & Kolbe Millwork and hired their first employee – their other brother, Walter. Now the company’s range of product offerings are available through hundreds of distributors and dealers across the United States, Canada and beyond.

The company stayed in the family, with Herb’s daughter Judy Gorski assuming the role of CEO after her father and uncle had passed away. Under Gorski’s leadership, the company rebranded as Kolbe Windows & Doors. For more than 30 years, Gorski has worked closely with Jeff DeLonay. In 2014, he was promoted and named as Kolbe’s president overseeing all of its facilities, divisions and operations.

“I am thankful to be a part of such a dynamic organization that continues to use the principles on which it was built to shape its future and continue the successes of its founders. As Herb Kolbe said, ‘We don’t strive to be the biggest, but we do strive to be the best.’ This is, and continues to be, our commitment to our team members, business partners and the customers we serve,” DeLonay said.

To celebrate the milestone, Kolbe is set to share a four-part video series that will detail:
• Its history and growth from two to more than 1,000 employees;
• The people who work at and with the company;
• The company’s involvement in supporting both local communities, and the architectural and building communities; and
• The practices and customizable products the company offers, that it says help create personal, inspirational and successful projects.