Smart Business Magazine, October 2017

24 Smart Business Akron Canton October 2017 CASCADE CAPITAL CORPORATION 2017BUSINESSGROWTHAWARDS MANUFACTURING GREATEST EMPLOYEE GROWTH P Graham Dunn Inc www pgrahamdunn com P Graham Dunn Inc has been on a growth trajectory during the past decade unrivaled by any other in its history In the past five years the companys employee count increased from 135 in 2012 to 237 this past year Much of the growth can be attributed to the companys expansion outside of the Christian gift channel and into the general market where it found a spot on the shelves of mass market retailers This has led to a significant increase in brand recognition and in some cases topping category charts in the gift segment Rapid sales and significant employee growth squeezed the physical space of the gift manufacturer From 2007 to 2015 the company was able to handle manufacturing operations in its 100000 square foot building in Dalton By 2015 severely in need of more space the company acquired the 62000 square foot building directly next door taking the total manufacturing footprint to 160000 square feet But by the time the tenant left the newly purchased facility the company already needed more space to support growth So it connected the two buildings creating one 280000 squarefoot facility P Graham Dunn led by President Joe Knutson today can be found in thousands of stores throughout the U S Canada and Australia counting among its accounts some of the most recognizable names in retail In the past five years the company also has seen its sales revenue grow 128 percent Spreading its wings Joe Knutson helps P Graham Dunn expand into new channels F ounded in 2000 Razorleaf is thinking about its future The company is translating its recent success in new business areas into organizational investments Led by President Eric Doubell the companys headcount increased from 24 to 39 in the past five years while it enjoyed an 80 percent sales revenue increase during the same period The company has tapped into significant opportunities in the government sector after landing a contract as the lead system integrator for deploying a product lifecycle management or PLM solution to the U S Navy In less than a year Razorleaf delivered a turnkey PLM environment managed the program team trained the Navy resources and documented the complete solution To build on its recent successes the company has grown its marketing and sales talent on its management team Its consultant headcount has more than doubled as it works to support increases in aerospace and government contracts Its hands on experience working side by side with the Navy created other opportunities to help with more digital transformation projects Through deep understanding of how to apply technology coupled with an understanding of how to discern business workflows in an organization Razorleaf helps its customers with product development and engineering breakthroughs in performance productivity and cost savings The company also launched a spinoff business Razorleaf Government Solutions which is focused on fulfilling government contracts Opening doors Government contracts present Razorleaf with new opportunities TECHNOLOGY GREATEST EMPLOYEE GROWTH Razorleaf Corp www razorleaf com