Walter Golla, Jr. is the founder and president of Golla Industries. His background is in the paint and coatings industry. While working on a graduate degree in chemistry, Mr. Golla was employed as a polymer chemist by DutchBoy Paints from 1968 to 1972. After leaving research and development, Mr. Golla formed his own painting company. By the mid 1980’s, the company employed over 80 people. 

From his background in coatings, Mr. Golla knew the best system for painting and staining exterior wood products included at least one coat of primer applied on all sides before installation. As a painting contractor, he also knew this process, although correct, was very labor intensive. Performing this process on site was expensive and not cost effective. In 1983, he began to investigate ways to automate the application of paint/stain coatings. Six months later, Mr. Golla purchased his first equipment and began factory-finishing siding and trim for his painting company.

Surprisingly, even though the process was more cost effective, the finished product was better! The materials remained dry at constant temperature and the mechanically applied coating had consistent film thickness. Soon after this, several lumber and building material suppliers began requesting factory-finishing for their wood products. The rest is history.