Company History
Graves Overhead Doors, Inc. opened for business in 1998. However, our story begins long before that and is rooted in service and dedication to our customers since 1977. The background of our inception starts first with a young man who had nothing to start out with except dreams of creating a new life and a strong set of values and a solid work ethic that he had learned growing up. Fred Graves relocated from a rural East Tennessee town to the big city of Atlanta. After starting a family, he launched his first enterprise in 1966, Graves Construction Company, and began a long career in commercial building. Mr. Graves built many of the first Dairy Queen restaurants in Atlanta. He furthered his experience in construction by building houses into the early '70s.
In the mid-'70s, he moved to the suburbs just north of Atlanta. Realizing the future growth potential of the area, his entrepreneurial spirit shifted into high gear at the same time energy prices were soaring. So, he built a metal building on his property and began distributing wood-burning stoves. Mrs. Graves provided support and played a vital role in the life of the company. This business expanded to include wood- and gas-burning fireplaces to meet the demands of contractors and homeowners, thus Graves Fireplaces, Inc. was born.
As Founder and President of Graves Fireplaces, Inc., Fred was no newcomer to the specialty building products and homebuilding industries. Experiencing growth both in the business and family led him to plan for an expansion in the mid '90s. He got the vision of expanding the operation in order to provide additional products and services to an already strong and developing metro area.
After much thought and planning, it was determined an overhead or garage door business was needed to support the community and would match well with our other specialty-- hearth products. With only himself, 2 technicians, a warehouse person and receptionist, Graves Overhead Doors, Inc. opened its doors for business. In 2000, Mr. Graves' son joined the company and now serves as Vice President and Operations Manager. At the present, our door division staffs over 20 highly skilled team members standing ready to serve you. Other family members serving at the Fireplace and Door operations to make this truly a family business.
Today, thanks to the foresight of our founder, dedicated associates, the best suppliers in the industry, the loyal support of customers through the years, and most of all God's goodness, Graves Enterprises has grown into a thriving organization. This year Graves Overhead Doors, Inc. celebrates its 10th anniversary. Much has changed over the years but our guiding principles of integrity, service and value have stayed the same, and we believe they will guide us well as we embrace the future. We seek to build relationships as we continue "Selling Service Since 1977".
