Gund Co.’s 75-Year No-Layoff Growth Model

The Gund Co., a St. Louis-based family manufacturer, has maintained continuous employment for 75 years while achieving an average annual revenue growth of about 18 % over the past decade. The Wall Street Journal reports that the company has never laid off an employee during this period, a rarity among midsize manufacturers.

Wall Street Journal

Founded three generations ago, the firm remains under family control. Steve Gund, the third-generation chief executive officer, leads the company with a focus on long-term stability and incremental expansion. The Wall Street Journal notes that the firm’s growth strategy emphasizes internal talent development and steady market diversification rather than aggressive cost-cutting.

Wall Street Journal

• Steve Gund — third-generation CEO of The Gund Co., credited with steering the firm’s recent growth.

Wall Street Journal

• Brian Krupich — President of The Gund Co., involved in operational oversight.

Wall Street Journal

• Rich Gund — Chairman and Chief Operating Officer, part of the founding family’s leadership team.

Wall Street Journal

• 75 years of uninterrupted employment since the company’s inception.

Wall Street Journal

• ?18 % average annual revenue growth sustained for a decade, as reported by the Wall Street Journal.

Wall Street Journal

• The firm’s growth rate places it among the few privately held manufacturers that have combined high growth with a zero-layoff record.

Wall Street Journal

The Wall Street Journal highlights that executives from other companies regularly visit The Gund Co. in St. Louis to observe its employment practices and growth model. These “pilgrimages” reflect broader industry curiosity about replicating a strategy that balances robust financial performance with a strong commitment to workforce stability. The company’s approach is cited as a potential template for firms seeking to avoid layoffs while pursuing aggressive growth targets.

Wall Street Journal