OUR STORY

Back in 1976, George and Mary Alice Leasure created Ghent in the dust of an old powder plant and started production in 1978. Eight years later, Waddell Furniture was acquired as a Division of Ghent, cultivating both small family businesses into a successful company. Our most recent acquisition was VividBoard custom solutions in 2006. Now with three leading brands in visual communication and display products, GMi Companies was created – the parent brand of Ghent, Waddell and VividBoard.

Our purpose is service – service to our customers, to our employees and to our community. We build and innovate our products with our future in mind. As time changes and as our customers’ needs change. Over the years, our family and business have grown larger. As we started collecting awards for our craftsmanship and innovation, and as more and more people started knowing our name, we aren’t following in the shadows anymore.

GMi Timeline

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  • Born with a Fresh Cup of Coffee

    John M. Waddell came up with a simple solution to add a handle to the coffee grinder so it was easier to turn using only one hand.

  • Production Begins

    Waddell moves into his father’s two-story grain elevator in Greenfield, OH.

  • Waddell Wooden Ware Works

    John and his team manufactures cash registers, toys, X-Ray Egg testers and much more. Waddell Postal Fixture Company was formed to market and ship postal fixtures around the nation.

  • Owned and operated

    Owned and operated by John’s sons, display cases became Waddell’s most popular product, used in schools and institutions across the country.

  • The Beginning of Ghent

    Ghent Manufacturing, Inc. founded by George and Mary Alice Leasure

  • Production Starts

    Ghent is housed in an old King Mills powder plant.

  • INC. 500

    Ghent makes the INC. 500 at #28 as one of the fastest growing companies in the U.S.

  • From One Family to Another

    Waddell Furniture, located in Greenfield, OH, is acquired as a Division of Ghent.

  • Joining the Lebanon Community

    Ghent moves to a new facility in Lebanon, OH.

  • VividBoard

    VividBoard custom solutions is acquired as a Division of Ghent.

  • Best Place to Work

    Cincinnati Manny Award is presented to Ghent for “Best Place to Work”

  • GMi Companies

    GMi Companies becomes the parent brand of Ghent, Waddell, and VividBoard

  • Community Service Award

    Warren County Foundation presents GMi with “Outstanding Business Community Service Award”

  • Showroom Opening

    GMi Companies debut their new showroom at the MART in Chicago, IL.

     

    Manufacturer of the Year

    Ghent receives Workplace Furniture Manufacturer of the Year award.