Savannah proclaims year of the 'big dog,' honors Great Dane on 125th anniversary

SAVANNAH—How long is 125 years? The topic was discussed several times as the City of Savannah proclaimed 2025 as the year of the “big dog,” officially recognizing the contributions Great Dane has made for the Georgia coastal community.

“We are in the shadow of City Hall, which was not even here when Great Dane started,” noted Savannah Mayor Van R. Johnson II, speaking in the city’s pre-Revolutionary War Johnson Square, where the ceremony was held Monday. “That tells you the long legacy that Great Dane has had in this city.

“Certainly Great Dane is what makes Savannah strong. And we're so honored to be here at this time in history: All of the thousands of people that have gone through these halls, worked in their employ, were benefited by the products, that have passed and gone on. Yet we are blessed to be here to see this year and to see this day.”

Speaking to a gathering arranged to honor retired Great Dane employees with front-row seats, the mayor then read the formal proclamation, highlighting the company’s evolution and achievements since it’s founding in 1900 as the Savannah Blowpipe Co., moving into steel products before becoming the trailer manufacturer with the iconic logo that the world recognizes today.

In accepting the bound version of the honor, Great Dane Executive VP of Sales Chris Hammond (the third generation of Hammond family leadership) pointed out that when the company was founded, the United States was just 124 years old. In naming some significant figures from the company’s past, Hammond also emphasized that Great Dane is proud of the “generations of family members” who have worked for the company over the years, and will continue to do so.

“Great Dane is still a family-owned company that helps families celebrate their milestones and meet life’s challenges,” Hammond said. “And while we’re proud that we have a reputation for building the best products on the road, we know that we’ve stayed strong for more than a century because we’ve adapted to every decade.”

Opening the ceremony, standing beside the 50-foot monument to Revolutionary War hero General Nathanael Greene, Great Dane President and COO Rick Mullininx put the day in perspective, pointing to “the next chapter in our story” and the “legacy of innovation” that will carry Great Dane into the future.

“This is a big moment in our history because less than one percent of American companies ever reach 125 years in business,” said Mullininx. “That’s an incredible statistic, and it speaks to the strength of our story. This day will become part of that story and one we will remember for generations to come.”