At Marvin, people are our most important asset since they make the beautiful products that we sell. Take a look at this video and find out why…

The Minneapolis Star Tribune has compiled a list of 10 business newsmakers to watch in 2012, and Susan Marvin, president of Marvin Windows and Doors, is in great company on that list. The list also includes Narayana Kocherlakota, president of the Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis; Omar Ishrak, CEO of Medtronic; and William Cooper, chairman and CEO of TCF Financial Corp.

The Star Tribune writes, “Industry groups have forecast only modest recovery in window and door sales this year. Marvin has kept its financial house in order, which has helped it survive the downturn and positioned it to benefit when the housing market revives.”

If 2012 is anything like 2011 — a year that saw the company covered by an in-depth feature story from the New York Times and discussed in a major speech from President Obama — it’s sure to be another great year for Marvin Windows and Doors.

Today, in Osawatomie, Kan., President Obama recognized Marvin’s commitment to its workforce and community. The remarks shared by C-Span can be seen below; Marvin Windows and Doors is addressed at 52:30.

President Obama’s remarks:

“In the end, rebuilding this economy based on fair play, a fair shot and a fair share will require all of us to see that we have a stake in each others’ success. … American business leaders [must] understand that their obligations don’t just end with their shareholders. …

“I think about a company based in Warroad, Minnesota, called Marvin Windows and Doors. During the recession, Marvin’s competitors closed dozens of plants and let go hundreds of workers. But Marvin did not lay off a single one of their four thousand or so employees. In fact, they’ve only laid off workers once in over a hundred years. Mr. Marvin’s grandfather even kept his eight employees during the Depression.

When times get tough, the workers agree to give up some perks and pay, and so do the owners. As one owner said, ‘You can’t grow if you’re cutting your lifeblood – and that’s the skills and experience your workforce delivers.’ For the CEO, it’s about the community: ‘These are people we went to school with,’ he said. ‘We go to church with them. We see them in the same restaurant. Indeed, a lot of us have married local girls and boys. We could be anywhere. But we are in Warroad.’

“That’s how America was built. That’s why we’re the greatest nation on Earth. That’s what our greatest companies understand. Our success has never just been about survival of the fittest. It’s been about building a nation where we’re all better off. We pull together, we pitch in, and we do our part, believing that hard work will pay off; that responsibility will be rewarded; and that our children will inherit a nation where those values live on.”

Learn more about Marvin’s heritage of supporting its community and workforce.

At Marvin, the options for our made-to-order windows and doors are virtually limitless. Since we don’t make a one-size-fits-all product, we can’t sell through a one-size-fits-all store. Instead, Marvin relies on the most highly qualified dealers that can help you find an elegant, high-performance solution, no matter the project.

In this video from Marvin’s Heritage series, see why we only partner with dealers that truly understand Marvin – not just the company and our products, but our values and ethics.

Marvin Windows and Doors’ proud heritage was built on uncompromising values, unwavering work ethic and honoring employees and customers alike. Even today, third and fourth generation members of the Marvin family working in all levels of the company embody the same spirit George Marvin did when he first came to Warroad, Minn., in 1904.

In this video from Marvin’s Heritage series, members of the Marvin family explain how the originating values and ethics live on as each Marvin seeks to leave the company even stronger for the generations to come.

Ed Salin is probably one of the best-known people in our hometown of Warroad, Minn. He started with Marvin Windows in 1964 as a truck driver and later spent many years in sales. Now he serves as a tours and training guide in our main factory, leading groups of builders, architects, dealers and other customers through the 2 million-square-foot facility.

We were talking with Ed recently about trust. That’s a subject that doesn’t seem to get a lot of discussion in the business world these days. But for Ed, it’s a fundamental part of his experience with Marvin, going right back to his early days with the company.

“The biggest thing about the Marvin heritage is honesty and trust,” Ed said. In his sales days, he thought of his role as less of a salesman and more of a guide, helping each customer make the right decision for their particular circumstances. And dealers always knew — as they do today — that Marvin would stand behind its products.

“We’ve stood behind products that we didn’t have to,” Ed said. “But first and foremost, we take care of our customers. We live up to that trust.”

Thanks, Ed — we couldn’t have said it any better.

We’ve been taking some time recently to celebrate Marvin’s heritage, values and innovation. Innovation, craftsmanship and attention to detail are a part of every product Marvin makes, but those traits are perhaps most noticeably on display in the creations of Marvin Signature Products and Services.

If you have an ambitious idea that demands a custom solution, our Signature team can bring your vision to life. Marvin Signature Products and Services combines the capabilities of a national brand with the craftsmanship of a local millwork shop. Marvin Signature offers distinctive custom capabilities, personalized service and a solutions-driven approach to our work with new construction, renovation and historic restoration projects.

One favorite example is the round pivot window shown in the photo at right. This window is a creative, stylish solution for gables, cupolas and other challenging spaces. The sash pivots to allow fresh air to flow or can be removed for easy access to the exterior.

See for yourself some of the team’s awesome capabilities in our Signature photo gallery and case study collection.

Gerald Koble has been with Marvin for nearly 25 years, but a lot of his co-workers don’t even know his name. That’s because everyone just calls him “Yogi.”

Yogi supervises nearly 40 people as the lead on our Ultimate Casement line, overseeing the production of one of our most successful new products. For Yogi, his co-workers really are like a second family.

“You get so close to people, so attached,” he said. “You want to help people, encourage them. I want to see people smile. It’s my job to make this a good place for them.”

It’s also his job to make great windows for our customers. And because of the values ingrained in the organization, that’s no problem, Yogi said.

“We give accountability to our people. That experience is what makes our windows flow out the door,” he said. “You can put that person with 20 years’ experience next to the new person. And they’re going to teach that new person. They’re very good at saying, ‘I’ve been here. I’ve done that. I want to show you.’ And that knowledge keeps going on for years and years and years.

“Those are the people who have made us what we are.”