By Marlene McTigue
Capital Region Independent Media
RAVENA — The Collins family, a well-known entrepreneurial family behind the multi-generational Collins & Son, Inc., has added a new venture to their legacy with the purchase of Capitaland Filter.
Located at 14581 Route 9W in Ravena, the business specializes in filters and industrial supplies, catering to anyone who uses filters and a wide variety of shop items you wouldn’t think of.
The acquisition includes five members of the Collins family: Zach Collins, who also serves as the 37th District Representative of Albany County; his wife Kaitlyn; his brother Jarrett; their mother Lori; and cousin Clay Rivers. Together, they are building on the strong foundation laid by previous owner Pat Crowley, who ran the business for 40 years.
Capitaland Filter, originally established to clean and recycle filters, later expanded to selling new filters as prices dropped, according to Zach Collins. Crowley, alongside longtime employee Wes Atkinson, built a solid customer base in the trucking industry. Recognizing the opportunity to acquire the business, the Collins family seized it.
The group was looking for a regional business to invest in when Kaitlyn discovered a listing online at www.bizbuysell.com that piqued her interest.
This is how the online sales platform works. Before you can be given the identity of a listed business, interested parties must fill out a nondisclosure agreement. The group was delighted when they found out the unnamed business they were interested in was located right here in their hometown and one they were very familiar with.
The Collins family brings a deep understanding of the trucking industry, as they’ve long been customers of Capitaland Filter through Collins & Son.
“We’re familiar with the business, the industry, and many of the customers,” said Jarrett Collins. “That familiarity made this an exciting opportunity for us.”
The new owners plan to expand the company’s offerings, including a wider selection of filters, hydraulic fittings, batteries, and industrial supplies. They are also exploring e-commerce platforms to enhance accessibility for their customers.
“Pat built a great business, and we’re excited to continue his legacy while bringing fresh ideas to the table,” said Zach Collins.
Crowley and Atkinson remain integral to the business during the transition, with Crowley sharing his expertise and helping the family learn the ins and outs of operations.
“Pat has been great—he’s making the transition easy for all of us,” said Zach Collins.
In addition to filters, Capitaland Filter offers various industrial and shop supplies, including degreasers, windshield wipers, gloves, and safety gear. The Collins family also plans to expand their battery recycling program and introduce additional vendor partnerships to enhance their inventory.
“While we’re committed to maintaining the strong business model Pat built, we’re also excited to grow and innovate,” said Zach Collins. “We want to be the go-to supplier for anyone with a fleet that needs maintenance in the area.”
For his part, Crowley is happy with the transition.
“I wish the Collins family great success. They have been very easy to work with,” said Crowley.
Crowley also credits those who helped him along the way on his 40-year run.
“A big thank you goes to Dan and Liz VanDorn. They were both a major part of this business and its growth. Without them we wouldn’t be where we are today,” he said.
The Collins family’s acquisition of Capitaland Filter marks the continuation of their entrepreneurial legacy, solidifying their commitment to serving the community while fostering local economic growth.
