Obituary: Plaskolite founder Donald Dunn, 98

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Donald Dunn, founder head of plastic sheet Plaskolite LLC, died Aug. 16 at the age of 98.

Dunn died at his home in Columbus, Ohio. He founded Columbus-based Plaskolite in 1950 as a manufacturer of drinking straws.

By 1962, Plaskolite was focused on plastic sheet manufacturing, and Dunn built a new office on Joyce Avenue in Columbus. The firm has remained there for 59 years, growing to become one of the largest sheet makers in North America. Plaskolite now employs more than 1,300 in 11 facilities worldwide.

“A business is a lot of things,” Dunn said in 2012. “It carries the hopes and dreams of its founder, the sum of years of effort and tiring hard work.

“It’s the lifeblood of the employees, whose family’s needs are met by the salaries they bring home. It has to be a partner in the community and an industry leader,” he said.

In a news release, Plaskolite Chairman Mitchell Grindley said Dunn “was a leader of men, an inspiration to anyone who knew him, a respected businessman, a beloved family man, and a friend and mentor to me.”

“His influence is felt in everything we do as a company,” Grindley added. “The Plaskolite culture of hard work, sacrifice, respect for others, and love of family is a direct reflection of Donald. That will not change.”

Dunn earned a Purple Heart and Silver Star for his actions on April 15, 1945, in the northern Apennine Mountains of Italy. As a staff sergeant in the 10th Mountain Division, Dunn led a U.S. Army platoon against fierce German resistance, officials at the release said.

While approaching the goal, Dunn was severely wounded by an enemy sniper, they added, and “although suffering severely, was only concerned with the welfare of his crew and the success of the mission by instructing his successor. with the ability that the assignment is fulfilled. “

“We are saddened by the loss of Donald, which reflects the character of the Biggest Generation,” Plaskolite President and CEO Ryan Schroeder said. “He’s very proud of the company and the people who work at it.”

“The Plaskolite family will respect him by continuing to follow the principles he taught throughout the company.”

Dunn is an active member of the Columbus community, notably as a board member of the Buckeye Boys ’Ranch and a longtime St. Louis supporter. Stephen’s Community House. In conjunction with supporting many other charities, in 2013, the Dunn family founded Donald G. and Mary A. Dunn Chairs of Modern Military History at Ohio State University.

Based on sales, Plaskolite is North America’s 15th largest film and sheet maker in Plastics News ’2020 rankings, with all of its sales from the sheet. The firm has annual sales of $ 584 million.

Plaskolite has made 17 acquisitions in the last 13 years and has mostly been owned by investment firm Pritzker Private Capital since 2018. The Dunn family, management and other co-investors are also part of the ownership group of Plaskolite.

Plaskolite -made products include sheets made for such products as signage and vending machine fronts. The firm serves a diverse customer base including distributors, OEMs and retailers.

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