Contractors
It's difficult to encapsulate a legacy of over 85 years. It may rest in the skyline of hometown Kansas City or in other communities across the country where JE Dunn cranes reach skyward.
Maybe it's in the ability to survive and grow as a family-owned business, or in the way we have fostered loyalty among generations of employees.
One thing is certain: the JE Dunn legacy can be found in its spirit of excellence, of giving and growing into the 21st century, and its continued commitment to core values.
John Ernest Dunn (Ernie) founded JE Dunn Construction Company in Kansas City, Missouri in 1924. What began as a small, family-run residential contractor would eventually grow into one of the top general building contractors in the country with approximate annual revenues of $2.7 billion and 20 office locations coast-to-coast.
The years following JE Dunn Construction's founding were interesting times that saw the company building for the war effort, weathering economic ups and downs, and maintaining level-headedness while labor unions formed and civil rights struggles ensued. Still, throughout these periods of turmoil, the construction company grew. When Ernie Dunn passed away in 1964, the company's net worth was $1.4 million and it employed 35 people. The number and size of construction projects rose over the next ten years as JE Dunn Construction solidified its place as one of Kansas City's largest, most reliable, quality-minded commercial contractors. Notable projects of the day included Truman Medical Center, Corporate Woods Office Park and Kemper Arena.