The Minneapolis Star Tribune has compiled a list of 10 business newsmakers to watch in 2012, and Susan Marvin, president of our sister brand 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 the Marvin companies.

IntegrityWindows.com Offers Rich Experience for Building Pros and Homeowners

FARGO, N.D. — Dec. 20, 2011 – The new IntegrityWindows.com launched today, loaded with information for builders, remodelers, architects and consumers about durable, beautiful Integrity windows and doors made with Ultrex® pultruded fiberglass.

The revamped website is cleaner and easier to navigate, while offering richer and more detailed information on Integrity’s industry-leading products. New video content tells the Integrity story. Dealers will appreciate an expanded and improved Dealer Locator function to help customers find their nearest Integrity dealer.

“We listened to what our customers told us and added new features to the website based on their feedback,” said Becky Felling, Director of Marketing for Integrity Windows and Doors. “In today’s business world, the company website is a crucial point of contact with customers. On our improved website, both building pros and homeowners will find everything they need to make their building projects a success with Integrity.”

Site features include:

• Product pages with features, benefits and images
• Complete information on options, sizes and specs
• Enhanced dealer locator
• Product reviews
• An in-depth look at Ultrex, our patented pultruded fiberglass that’s eight times stronger than vinyl
• A new video series explaining the Ultrex Advantage
• Downloadable product brochures and catalogs
• Window and door basics for first-time buyers
• Resources on energy efficiency and sustainability
• Project planning ideas for remodeling and replacement
• The heritage of the Marvin family of brands
• A special section for building professionals with quick-search product resources and a Learning Lab
• An expanded media gallery of photos

 
Integrity offers a wide range of products in both standard and special sizes. Choices include the All Ultrex Series, with the superior performance of Ultrex throughout; the Wood-Ultrex Series, with tough Ultrex on the exterior and the warmth of real wood on the interior; and IMPACT Products, specially built to stand up to the most extreme weather conditions.

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.”

As part of the Marvin brands, Integrity from Marvin Windows and Doors maintains the same no-layoffs policy.

Integrity Windows: tougher than his slapshot!

The Fargo Forum also is taking notice of Integrity. Here’s a nice story by reporter Dave Olson on our video shoot featuring the West Fargo High Packers hockey team. The video will be part of Integrity’s upcoming “Restoring Tough” marketing campaign.

“We’re happy to be shooting this video in the Fargo-Moorhead area,” said Becky Felling, director of marketing for Integrity Windows and Doors. “As a family-owned and operated company, Integrity believes in supporting the communities that we’re a part of.”

Felling went on to mention that with North Dakota’s tight job market, Integrity is on the lookout for good job candidates as the company continues to grow.

We were happy to see WDAY-TV in Fargo come out to do a report on a fun event for Integrity Windows. We were filming a new Web video that will be part of our upcoming “Restoring Tough” marketing campaign.

For the video, we got a dozen members of the West Fargo High Packers hockey team to come out and fire pucks at Integrity windows — to show the toughness of our pultruded Ultrex fiberglass and its bonded finish.

They also took time to talk with us about job opportunities with Integrity. The North Dakota job market is really tight, and we’re always looking for good people, so tell your friends.

LATE-BREAKING UPDATE: Due to a heavy news day of corporate earnings, Susan’s appearance will be rescheduled. We’ll update later.

The president of Marvin Windows and Doors, Susan Marvin, will be on Bloomberg TV’s “Street Smart” program today at 4:10 p.m. Eastern time, discussing the economy and how Marvin has been navigating through the economic downturn.

Susan has become a well-known figure in the national business media through her appearances in the New York Times, CNBC, MSNBC, Fox News, the Associated Press, CNN and other outlets.

Her candid and tough assessment of the business climate is coupled with a refreshing dose of optimism about how Marvin and Integrity are positioning themselves to emerge from the downturn stronger than ever.

If you have a few minutes this afternoon, check out Susan’s interview. To find Bloomberg TV on your local cable system, visit www.bloomberg.com/tv/channel-finder/. And then visit Integrity’s Facebook page and let us know your thoughts.

Award recognizes design, innovation and quality among nation’s premier builders

Huntington, N.Y., Sept. 20, 2011 – Lauto Group of Huntington, N.Y., has been honored as a Red Diamond Achiever by Integrity Windows and Doors. The award recognizes outstanding design, innovation, sustainability and quality in projects by the nation’s premier builders using Integrity products.

Photo caption (L-R): John Neil, Integrity territory manager; Elaina Beato, Integrity brand marketing manager; Anthony Lauto, owner Lauto Group; Jason Lavitt, co-president, Super Enterprises; Jackie Schepis, architectural support manager, Super Enterprises.

“Red Diamond Achievers represent the best of the builders,” said Becky Felling, director of marketing for Integrity Windows and Doors. “They’re well-run, forward-thinking businesses that bring a focus on quality and innovation to every job, whether it’s a renovation, a new home or a commercial project. We’re proud to have them use our products, and pleased to honor their achievements.”

Lauto Group was recognized for a remarkable beach house in Montauk, in Long Island’s exclusive Hamptons, that displays a rare combination of beauty, energy efficiency and advanced technology.

The five-bedroom, five-bath home achieved a Level 4 Energy Star rating – the highest rating possible. It includes an integrated technology system that monitors cooling, lighting, indoor air quality and geothermal heating.  Solar energy is provided by photovoltaic panels on its south facing roof. The home is pending LEED certification from the U.S. Green Building Council.

To withstand the severe weather conditions on the Atlantic coast, the home features IMPACT windows and doors from Integrity. IMPACT products are rated for winds up to 140 mph and are constructed of Ultrex®, a revolutionary pultruded fiberglass material. Ultrex resists corrosion and UV degradation while withstanding heat up to 350 degrees, making it perfectly suited to resist the salt, heat, sun, wind and humidity that accompany coastal living.

Lauto Group combines a precise attention to detail with a broad knowledge of the latest building technology, said owner Anthony Lauto. He strives to assemble the best team of professionals for each project to ensure the specific demands of each job are met. The use of Integrity windows and doors is a great fit with that philosophy, Lauto said.

“Integrity allows me to offer my customers a virtually indestructible, aesthetically pleasing, thermal performing window,” Lauto said. “It’s coastal-rated, environmentally friendly and energy efficient — and offered at a well-placed price point.”

Now builders can access product information on the job, in the truck, at the office

FARGO, N.D., August 29, 2011 – There’s a powerful new tool for builders and remodelers, but it won’t be found in any toolbox. It’s on the iPhone and iPad.

The Built to Perform® app from Integrity Windows and Doors puts the power of Ultrex® at every builder’s fingertips.  With this free app, builders, remodelers and architects can access a wealth of information from anywhere – on the job, in the truck, at the office

The app includes just about everything a builder or remodeler needs to spec a job with Integrity, America’s leading maker of Ultrex pultruded fiberglass windows and doors. The valuable information available for easy reference includes:

• Product catalogs
• Brochures
• All-new presentations
• Case studies
• Videos
• The Integrity blog feed
• An extensive photo gallery to explore for inspiration
• Links to the Integrity website for even more detailed product and performance specs

“We know how much our building customers value easy access to comprehensive product information,” said Becky Felling, director of marketing for Integrity Windows and Doors. “With the Built to Perform app for the iPhone and iPad, building professionals can get answers to their questions quickly and easily, no matter where they’re working.

“With this new app, we’re helping our building customers do their jobs more efficiently – and making it even easier to use our industry-leading products.”

The Integrity Built to Perform app is available for download from Apple’s iTunes store, via a link on IntegrityWindows.com. To download the app and view a demonstration video of the app on iPhone and iPad, visit www.integritywindows.com.

We’re proud to see this recognition of Integrity’s sister company, Marvin Windows and Doors, by management expert Donald Delves in this great column for Forbes. Delves explores how the bond between Marvin, our hometown of Warroad and our valued workers has resulted in a healthy company and a healthy community.

Here’s an excerpt:

“Aside from the admiration and respect of employees, what has the company received in return for its commitment to employees? Marvin’s reliability as an employer has created a workforce that can be relied on for high-quality craftsmanship and meticulous quality control, sustained by strong esprit de corps stemming from a highly positive plant culture.”

That same positive culture extends across all the Marvin companies and locations. Thanks, Mr. Delves. We’re glad you recognize a culture that has been nurtured for generations — and that we will always work to strengthen.

We’ve talked about iPads being game-changers for builders. They are lightweight, portable, larger than a phone and fun! What builder wouldn’t want one on the job site? If you have been curious about all things iPad but haven’t taken the plunge, Integrity Windows and Doors has an opportunity for you!

We are giving away iPad 2s to 10 lucky winners! They will come loaded with Integrity information, so you can have the latest info right at your fingertips, including:

• Useful product guides
• Idea-generating case studies
• Photo galleries
• And more business-building tools

Want to have the chance to win one? It’s easy: Just visit the contest page and follow the entry form. Official contest rules can also be found on this page. Good luck!

Image courtesy of Apple.