From the DNR Group in the 1990s to Pen Point Technologies today, the Redmon family's innovations in handwriting machines, software, and mail have transformed handwritten direct marketing — and made them the clear authorities in the space. The family is personally responsible for hundreds of millions of handwritten mail pieces, and their efforts pioneered the entire handwritten mail space.
The 1990s — Founding of DNR Group
Amid the digital transformation of direct mail, David Redmon founded DNR Group in Fort Worth, Texas, specializing in handwritten mail. What started with a husband and wife handwriting letters in the garage grew to over 1,000 part-time writers, boosting response rates 100% to 1000% for non-profits.
The spark: a highly successful campaign at Life Outreach Ministry, where a handwritten appeal added to a fundraising letter dramatically increased its effectiveness. DNR's personalized pieces — handwritten addresses and greetings — consistently achieved at least a 25% response rate.
Early 2000s — Scale and the Machine
DNR Group moved to a larger facility in Louisville, Kentucky, employing up to 4,500 independent contractors. Then came the first handwriting machines — the start of a 20+ year focus on the technology that continues today.
Enter: the machine. Purpose-built handwriting machines let DNR handle larger volumes while keeping every piece authentic, and font technology far ahead of its time let clients switch from human handwriting to automated handwriting without skipping a beat. The business was acquired — validation that handwritten mail was only going up.
Mid-2000s — Transition and Return
After the sale, David served as President under the new owners, then eventually parted ways. He returned with fresh ideas, founding Pioneer Direct Marketing and acquiring Admiral Printing — ventures that became the training ground for his son, Matt Redmon, who spent countless hours learning the mail business from operations to strategic marketing.
2019 — Pen Point Technologies
Matt left college early to co-found the family's newest venture, moving to South Florida alone to build the office, hire the team, and bring on clients. The Redmons introduced sophisticated, reliable handwriting machines and software with scalable solutions — now anyone could enter the handwritten mail world and produce real volume.
Clients leased anywhere from 10 to 300+ machines, generating millions of pieces. A rising tide lifts all boats.
2026 — A New Chapter
This year, Matt Redmon took the helm of Pen Point Technologies as Owner and CEO, building on three decades of his family's work in the handwritten mail industry.
Under Matt's leadership, Pen Point's mission is bigger than ever: to grow and transform the autopen and handwriting industry at a global scale — expanding the technology, the software, and the reach of authentic handwritten mail worldwide.
"We know one thing and one thing only… handwritten mail. We know what works, what doesn't work, what's possible, and what's a waste of time. We've been a well kept secret for a long time, being the largest producer of handwritten mail in the world. But now, our one and only goal is to get the handwriting industry as large as possible. And as long as you continue to open a handwritten letter, we'll be in business."