Orville Merillat started his business in a tiny 2,400 square foot workshop located in Adrian, Mich., on Sept. 2, 1946. Originally the business was called Merillat Woodworking Company. During WWII Orville enlisted in the Coast Guard and worked as the ship's carpenter. For every paycheck, he would send $150 to his wife Ruth back home and keep $1 for himself.
