About P GRAHAM DUNN INC

Company Profile 

Graham Dunn Inc. is a leading domestic manufacturer of inspirational art, gift, and home decor. Although it first opened its doors in 1976, its roots can be traced back to politically unsteady China in the 1940s, and like most stories, it is full of tragedy and beauty. It's a business with a rich history, a solid work ethic, and a vision for the future that has been situated in the world's largest Amish and Mennonite Community in Northeast Ohio for more than 40 years. The company runs a 266,000-square-foot manufacturing and distribution facility and provides retailers with products that nourish the spirit and warm the heart.

How It Came to Be 

The letter "P" in P. Graham Dunn stands for Peter, the company's founder, and owner. He is the child of missionaries Marvin and Miriam Dunn, living in China. When Japan invaded China, civil war followed. They were instructed to depart the nation and travel to India. They were meant to depart on the same flight as Graham and Elsie Hutchinson, another missionary couple. But there weren't enough seats on that plane for everyone to board. The childless Hutchinsons observed Miriam's pregnancy and that she had not taken a seat. In order for Miriam and Marvin to board the first aircraft out of China, they willingly gave up their seats. Miriam and Marvin were saddened to find that Graham and Elsie Hutchinson, along with everyone else on board, had died when the next flight crashed into the Himalayas after they had safely arrived in India. 

Miriam and Marvin's son, Peter, married LeAnna Dunn. They agreed to take on the task of starting a home for fugitive girls in New York City in 1972. The girls began a modest woodworking business to keep them busy. The girls carved gifts and plaques that immediately gained popularity at the outdoor markets in Greenwich Village. The couple purchased the woodworking machinery and put it on their farm in Dalton, Ohio when the mission in New York was finished. 

Established 

The following two years were spent by Peter building silos for local farmers to support his family and hone his ideas and production methods in his leisure time. When it came time to choose a name for his new company, P. Graham Dunn was created. He received a request for 3,000 goods in 1977, allowing him to focus all his efforts on the expanding company. 

The early stages of the work required a lot of labor. In addition to running their business out of a renovated chicken coop, LeAnna and Peter were busy raising their four active children. For twenty years, LeAnna oversaw the business' finances while Peter created each plaque, gift, and piece of furniture. 

The company eventually started computerizing its carving and laser operations and discovered that it could successfully compete with manufacturers from other countries. Thousands of accounts, mainly in the United States and abroad, are currently served by P. Graham Dunn. 

A Large Manufacturing Facility 

Graham Dunn is situated in Dalton, Ohio, the same city where Peter asked LeAnna to marry him. The chicken coop was shortly outgrown, and a 250,000-square-foot manufacturing facility was built. A 20,000-square-foot retail store is tucked away inside the manufacturing complex. The large two-story lobby welcomes visitors with a majestic staircase as they enter. Visitors love the aesthetically stunning displays and seemingly unlimited product possibilities as they make their way up to the second-floor store. Each store side has windows and observation spaces that offer a glimpse into the production facility. Visitors can observe "English" and Amish workers working side by side and get a bird's eye perspective of the entire production process.