Our History

The Wohls are descendants of European Craftsmen who came to the U.S.A. at the turn of the century seeking to make their fortunes, but that’s another story. 

Wohl was established in 1961 as a union painting and decorating company. The special combination of Lawrence Wohl’s education in construction and civil engineering, and his father, Maurice Wohl’s 40 years of experience in painting & faux decorating made for a wining combination in the growth period of the early 1960’s.

Quickly gaining a reputation as a company that could tackle any project and perform the toughest tasks. LBW was selected by Gruman Corporation to paint the facility were the Lunar LEM Module was constructed. They were also responsible for the maintenance painting of the General Electric World Headquarters at 570 Lexington Ave. in New York City from 1968 thru 1989 (G.E donated it to Columbia University in 1989).

Wohl started diversifying early in the 1970’s with an eye on the coating needs of the pharmaceutical, food service, corporate, industrial, water, and wastewater treatment markets. Lawrence Wohl’s broad range of knowledge of coatings and surface preparation, attracted many local and national manufacturer’s of the various paints, coatings and linings to be their recommended installer. He was at the forefront of the new technologies of the time, which are in heavy demand today; intumescent paint, fireproof coatings, vitreous wall surfacing and epoxy wall coatings.

In 1978 Lawrence’s son Jonathan took an active part in the day to day operations of the family business. Jonathan had the tools of the trade in his hands at an early age, working as his grandfathers helper during summer vacations. Jonathan brought along his acquired skills in construction estimating and marketing and set about his future by following in the footsteps of the generations before him. Jonathan became President of Lawrence B. Wohl, Inc. in 1997. He has  earned the SSPC Protective Coating Specialist PCS Certification and has passed the U.L. SFRM Contractor Certification exam. Jonathan is a past Vice President of The Plaster & Spray Fireproofing Contractors of Greater New York, a Board member of the LIUNA Apprenticeship Training Committee, a Board member of the BCA of Westchester, and a Director of the National Fireproofing Contractors of America, he also teaches continuing education courses for architects and engineers on the subject of fireproofing and acoustics.

During the 1980’s Wohl continued to thrive performing major contracts such as Avon Manufacturing, Helen Hayes Hospital, United Sates Vitamins (Revlon), Pure Foods(Herbox), Orangeburg Wastewater Treatment Plant, G.E. Residence Center. They have had a long term commitment to IBM and the Hudson Valley Expansion Program, consisting of projects that ranged up in values to a $1,200,000.00 contract for the IBM East Fishkill, N.Y.

As the 90’s progressed Wohl diversified into providing painting, spray on fireproofing and and floor coatings on the same projects. Their technical expertise in the installation of specialty fireproofing lead to their being chosen to perform the restoration of the 1993 terrorist bombed World Trade Center. They also where awarded a multifaceted project at the 47th Street Passageway to Grand Central Station, which included; painting, four types of fireproofing and waterproofing, which was valued at $1,700,000.00.

The new millennia has Wohl installing acoustical & thermal insulation  to a wide variety of new construction and interior office renovations, clubs and restaurants in and around N.Y.C., the Hudson Valley, Long Island, Connecticut North Jersey, including; STK, Bills Burgers, The General Store, The Out, Mediacom, Young & Rubicam, Dentsu, Google, Innovative Interactive, Pepsi, Columbia University, Vassar College, CCNY, Tiffany & Co., Temple Israel, EMI Publishing, WebMD, Steiner Studios, Kaufman Astoria Studios, Arup Int’l, Newsweek, Lifetime, RCN and Children’s Museum of Manhattan.  LBW was the contractor of choice to provide acoustical and firestopping to Jazz At Lincoln Center. When it comes to fireproofing projects, they have partnered on the Grand Avenue Bus Facility ($4.7 Million+) in L.I. City, completed the first two projects at “Ground Zero” Phase 1 & Phase 2 of the Temporary PATH Station ($1.2 Million) at the World Trade Center site and  is partnering on the WTC Memorial (4 Million+), Tower 7, Tower 4, Tower 3 and is the prime fireproofing contractor for The WTC Transportation Hub. Additional projects of note are MTA Projects including; Fulton Train Station, Grand Central Station East Side Access, Sloan Kettering Westchester and ABC Studios Viaduct Restoration. More recently completed is PSAC II(911 Call Center), Green Ivy School, Rocketfuel, Dentsu and Al Jazerra.

Wohl Diversified Services is proud to announce that a new generation has joined the firm; Rachel Girsch (Jonathan’s Daughter) as CFO & Executive Director and Alex Wohl as Project Manager & Safety Coordinator will continue to provide new and innovative products and services their customers have come to expect.