Kel-Mar, Inc. was started in a home garage in Toledo, OH in 1981. The need to establish the business came from a customer named General Motors who was looking for a metal cleaning service for specific parts they were manufacturing. General Motors contacted Burr Sterling with the inquiry. Being of an entrepreneurial spirit, Mr. Sterling responded to their request and created his first processing line. The rest they say is history!

Kel-Mar derived its name from Burr Sterling's parents. He took the "Kel" from his father's name, Robert Kelso Sterling, and the "Mar" from his mother's name, Maryellen Sterling. Mr. Sterling's father had a career in the tool and die industry. He was also involved with the appliance and automotive markets.

Burr Sterling also has a career and experience in the steel industry, steel blanking, steel stamping, and chemicals. A native of Toledo, OH, Burr is a specialist in surface preparation and treatment. As owner and president of Kel-Mar, he has grown the company from his parent's garage into a 20,000 square foot facility close to the campus of Bowling Green State University. Kel-Mar is recognized as a first-tier supplier to General Motors, Chrysler Corporation, and The Ford Motor Company. Kel-Mar also provides their services to other suppliers in the automotive market as a second-tier and third-tier member.

To enable our customers to compete successfully and profitably by providing our services with consistent quality and cost savings realization.

Kel-Mar, Inc. is ISO 9001-2000 Registered to provide consistent quality with cost-effective results.

Our people are trained and committed to processing your parts on schedule and on budget.