Our Story

The story of Kolbe Windows & Doors is more than a business success story - it is a family history. Brothers Herb & Ervin Kolbe built the business with a strong work ethic and family values that honored integrity and teamwork.

Herb & Ervin Kolbe begin repairing window frames and building sash out of their mother's wash house on the family dairy farm near Marathon, WI - Kolbe & Kolbe Millwork was born.

1946

Herb & Ervin purchase a 2,100 sq. ft. building and relocate the business to Wausau, WI. They hire their first employee, their brother Walter.

1948

Kolbe branches out to the prehung door market; about 35 people are employed. A cabinet shop is acquired, bringing several talented craftspeople onboard.

1966-70

Kolbe celebrates its 25th anniversary, then introduces its first product line - wood double hungs, sliders, casements and awnings.

1972-77

Production soon expands to aluminum clad windows and sales spread within the United States and Canada.

1981-90

Kolbe & Kolbe Millwork celebrates 50 years of quality.

1995

A Kolbe facility is established in Manawa, WI, to manufacture vinyl windows and doors with the same attention to detail for which Kolbe products are known.

1997

To accommodate growing product demand, the Wausau facility expands, adding 250,000 sq. ft to the already 725,000 sq. ft. building.

2000-02

After the passing of Ervin and Herb, Judy Gorski, Herb's daughter, assumes the role of Chief Executive Officer. Kolbe & Kolbe Millwork rebrands as "Kolbe Windows & Doors."

2003-05

Kolbe's expansive door offering broadens with the addition of TerraSpan® lift & slide doors and folding doors.

2009-10

Kolbe introduces the industry-leading VistaLuxe® Collection, created to address the increasing popularity of contemporary architectural designs.

2013

Kolbe launches the Forgent® Series, which combines an innovative, proprietary fiberglass composite material with thoughtful design.

2016

Kolbe expands the VistaLuxe® Collection with the thermally broken, all-aluminum VistaLuxe AL LINE.

2019

After 75 years in business, Kolbe proudly celebrates our history, our people, our community, and our innovation through the years.

2021

To meet the demands of the VistaLuxe AL LINE market, Kolbe expands manufacturing capabilities with a 27,000-sq. ft. facility in Phoenix, AZ.

2023

Located in the heart of Wisconsin, Kolbe is a nationally recognized leader in the premium window and door industry, selling its broad range of product offerings through hundreds of distributors and dealers across the United States, Canada and beyond. We pride ourselves on providing solutions to homeowners, builders, architects and designers. As a leader with innovative products and extensive capabilities, we continually strive to embody our tagline - We're for the visionaries®.

We're for people who take building to new levels.

We're for people who are passionate about design, who care about the big picture and the smallest detail. We're for people who aren't satisfied with mainstream choices ... who push the limits of what's possible with the options and innovations that can only be found in Kolbe windows and doors.

We're for quality craftsmanship.

We're for a tradition of excellence that outlasts the latest design trend. The Kolbe story began with a family and a vision. More than 75 years after the Kolbe brothers began their commitment to producing premium quality windows and doors, products bearing their family name can be found in some of North America's most impressive homes and businesses.

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We're for expertise.

We're for people who dream of a personalized design experience. That's why you can't find Kolbe windows and doors in the aisles of a home center. Our products are available through a Kolbe dealer, because they are as passionate about windows and doors as you are about bringing your vision to life. And they will work with you to make your dream a concrete reality.

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We're for possibilities.

We're for people who won't settle for "standard." We're for limitless options and custom solutions that can only be found in Kolbe's made-to-order products. Our team members are craftspeople who focus on building one window or door at a time, to create distinctive products that fulfill your unique vision.

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We're for innovation.

We're for people who want to take building to new levels, with advancements in not only extraordinary sizes and shapes, but also ground-breaking products. We're for creative thinking that redefines what's possible, constantly reimagining our windows and doors to elevate style, performance and functionality.

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A Message from our CEO

In 1946, my father Herb Kolbe and his brother Ervin, began a business repairing and building windows and door frames. While my father and uncle are no longer with us, their spirits live on in our company today. As Chief Executive Officer, I am committed to continuing Kolbe & Kolbe as a closely-held, family business. We will not depart from the philosophies that made our company successful. We will continue our commitment to our employees and we understand the very important role that Kolbe & Kolbe plays as a major employer in Wausau and the surrounding communities. Our commitment will not be deterred by the vagaries of the national or local economy. We will remain true to our principle that was best stated by my father when he said, “our success is due to the people, the many employees who have served loyally over the years. They are, in essence, an extension of the Kolbe family."

A Message from our President

Over thirty years ago, I joined this organization as a general laborer because I loved working with wood. I was placed in a production area responsible for making double hung windows. Being a quick study, I was able to learn the parts and processes well enough to be cross-trained in a number of other production areas. Through hands-on training, I began to fully understand the products and their construction. I also recognized that it was the people who really instilled in the products the lasting quality, which, in essence, is the heart and soul of the organization. I am thankful to be a part of such a dynamic organization that continues to use the principles on which it was built to mould 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.

1946

1948

1966-70

1972-77

1981-90

1995

1997

2000-02

2003-05

2009-10

2013

2016

2019

2021

2023

We're for people who take building to new levels.

We're for quality craftsmanship.

We're for expertise.

We're for possibilities.

We're for innovation.

A Message from our CEO

A Message from our President

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