Family-Owned Construction Company Vows No Layoffs…and Keeps its Promise
- Posted on September 26, 2011 at 10:00pm by
Becket Adams
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Marvin Windows and Doors has been the biggest employer in the small town of Warroad, Minn. for nearly a century. During the housing slump, the private company has lost money, but the owners have vowed not to cut health benefits or layoff a single employee, reports Business Insider.
“Housing isn’t in a recession. It’s in a depression,” says Susan Marvin, the company’s president.
“While it’s challenging for our people right now, and not everybody understands all the reasons why, the alternatives are devastating. These people would have to pick up and leave,” Marvin said in a recent New York Times article.
Michael O’Brien, the chief executive of the Window and Door Manufacturers Association, says consumers remain nervous.
“It’s always, ‘Next year it will turn around,’ ” he says. “It’s a challenge. No one thought we’d be where we are today, having not pulled out of [the recession].”
Marvin’s no-layoff announcement was originally cheered by employees, and in April 2009, Marvin and a Marvin employee were hailed as “great Americans” on national television, reports the Times.
However, much of that initial euphoria has worn off as the reality of smaller paychecks has materialized itself in the last three years.
Many employees have decided to take a second job. Marvin employee, Nathan Hoy, 30, is working a second job at the Warroad Municipal Liquor Store. His reduced hours at Marvin Windows have taken a toll. “You drive less, drink less, go out less often,” he said in the Times report.
“I’ve talked to other business people about it, and they have challenged it. They have challenged the wisdom of it,” Susan Marvin says referencing her company’s no-layoff promise.
However, they are sticking to their promise and refuse to cave because of hard times.
“You can’t cut your way to prosperity. You can’t grow if you are cutting your lifeblood — and that’s the skills and experience your work force delivers,” she says, adding later: “Today, I think, to a great a degree, I think things have gotten out of balance. We see Wall Street almost punish companies that take the long view.”
Asked how long Marvin can keep its promises, given the potential for another recession, Jake Marvin, brother of company president Susan Marvin, replied by asking: “How long does that second recession last?”
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Comments (62)
Akbarjonnie Shaheed
Posted on September 27, 2011 at 10:09amAll praise be giving to Lord Obama for the environment for Marvin to make such a move.
Report Post »jglanejr
Posted on September 27, 2011 at 4:03pmYou Idiot even a devout Atheist would not make that statement.
Report Post »Fina Biscotti
Posted on September 28, 2011 at 8:33amAkbarJonnie – is a pathetic brown shirt!
See yr Con Game – upon America – hit the skids – in 2012.
Report Post »I support God's Israel!
Posted on September 28, 2011 at 4:18pmBe very careful, CODE PINK will boycott them. BTW: I am purchasing a ton of stuff at:
http://www.ahavaus.com/men
Report Post »I support God's Israel!
Posted on September 28, 2011 at 4:28pmMay God surround you with His POWERFUL Holy Spirit and fill you with HIS truth and not Obama’s lies. Praise be to Jesus Christ, the Son of the living God, creator of all things in heaven and on earth.
JESUS CHRIST IS KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS. If you don’t belong to Jesus, YOU LOSE, Akbarjonnie Shaheed.
I would suggest that you ask GOD yourself to SHOW YOU PERSONALLY HIS truth and His Son, Jesus and HE WILL. If that don’t kick you in the butt, then you are doomed. I hope not, but most people who believe in Islam ARE doomed because THERE IS NO PERSONAL SACRIFICE for your personal sins. SINCE NO SIN SHALL ENTER HEAVEN, you will not be able to enter Heaven without Jesus Christ, the ultimate sacrifice for YOUR SINS, MY SINS, EVERYONE’S SIN. The difference between your teachings and mine (Jesus Christ) is that JESUS CHRIST IS THE SAVIOR OF SOULS to heaven. ISLAM CANNOT SAVE ANYTHING. There are no 72 virgins because there is NO SEX IN HEAVEN, fool. You are in spirit form there – not in fleshly form, fool.
You’d better find the truth soon or you will never see the REAL God of the universe, the real Father of Jesus Christ, the Savior of the world, IF THEY PERSONALLY ACCEPT HIM AS THEIR PERSONAL SAVIOR. There just ain’t any other way to Heaven.
THERE ARE MANY WAYS TO HELL, BUT ONLY ONE WAY TO HEAVEN and that is through Jesus Christ, the Son of God.
.
Report Post »Bicyea
Posted on September 27, 2011 at 10:05amBack in The Jimmy Carter Days my father-in-law attempted the same thing– keeping everyone on the payroll. He ended up bankrupt- losing the business, his retirement and house he re-financed to make that attempt. To this day he is still working, he‘s in his 80’s and you can still run into people who worked for him and all they say is “my last paycheck bounced” — Like they think we should pull out the checkbook and make them whole!!
Report Post »Servant Of YHVH
Posted on September 27, 2011 at 4:50pmUnfortunately that is the way a lot of people are these days! While everyone of them should be celebrating and being glad that they have a job. So what if the hours were cut down, they still have a job. If they don’t like the hours then they are free to go look for another job while they are still working and more power to them. I have a feeling that Marvin would be saying the same thing to them. That way if they are unable to find a job then they are still able to work for Marvins. That is a pure win situation for the workers. The only down part of it is on the company since like you said about your father-in-law. It is pure stupidity to complain about not getting enough hours because it made him have to drink less. Apparently this guy is a full blown alcoholic.
Report Post »TomFerrari
Posted on September 27, 2011 at 9:39amBeyond Marvin company’s policy – the employees should be lauded for accepting fewer hours in order to preserve the jobs of their co-workers.
SACRIFICE is going to be REQUIRED to fix this financial CAVERN we have dug.
Report Post »(The ENTIRE bottom half of which is all thanks to our current President, barack hussein obama.)
Fina Biscotti
Posted on September 28, 2011 at 8:35amYou mean Barack HUSSEIN Obama/Barry Soetoro/Harrison J. Bounel, Jr…….?
Obama is a Black and White Fraud.
Report Post »I support God's Israel!
Posted on September 28, 2011 at 4:32pmFina Biscotti:
Actually, I think Obama is a checkered fraud, a deeply racist man with a checkered background. He hates whites. He hates businesses because he has never worked in one. He hates Christians because he has never been one. He hates Jews because Satan has told him to.
Sums it all up to me. A very sad and pathetic fraud of a leader, but it needs to be said.
THE TRUTH HAS NO AGENDA.
Report Post »TomFerrari
Posted on September 27, 2011 at 9:36amMarvin makes very good windows (I DO NOT OWN ANY)
Report Post »And, I really like the latching mechanism they have. I think it is of their own patent.
denwin
Posted on September 27, 2011 at 8:49amRead the Bill: HR-2885 Legal Workforce Act
http://1787network.com/2011/09/read-the-bill-hr-2885-e-verify/2724885
HR-2885 Legal Workforce Act Action Alert !
Report Post »http://www.ojjpac.org/HR%202885.asp
denwin
Posted on September 27, 2011 at 10:00amHR-2885 The Legal Workforce Act Another
Report Post »Amnesty 1986 IRCA All Over Again !
http://nypost.com/p/news/opinion/opedcolumnists/another_amnesty_LauPhaZnaURz3fUcpXAphK
denwin
Posted on September 27, 2011 at 8:46amRead the Bill: HR-2885 Legal Workforce Act
http://1787network.com/2011/09/read-the-bill-hr-2885-e-verify/2724885
HR-2885 Legal Workforce Act Action Alert !
Report Post »herekittykitty
Posted on September 27, 2011 at 9:47pmSerioulsy, dude – shut up.
Report Post »thegodfather
Posted on September 27, 2011 at 8:21amA successful business?..happy workers? no layoffs? run by private enterprise?
I’m sorry….This sounds suspicious. I suggest a government investigation into this….and maybe some regulations and higher taxes
Report Post »denwin
Posted on September 27, 2011 at 8:20am“Why is HR-2885 Legal Workforce Act Such a Bad Bill ?”
IT COMPLETELY NULLIFIES AZ SB 1070′s and all states past-current-on-the-books and recently passed, AL, AZ, IN, GA, PA, VA, UT,
E-Verify laws !
If HR-2885 Legal Workforce Act passes in the US House this week,
Only; Obama, Napolitano, Holder, Clinton will be able to monitor-control-handle E-Verify, for the next 15 months !
It will remain in Feds hands after that, the States will be barred from having anything to do with any part of E-Verify enforcement !
The Federal Appeals court just recently upheld AZ SB 1070′s E-Verify laws as the only part of AZ SB 1070 that they could agree with !
WAKE UP, BOMBARD THE CONGRESS WITH COMPLAINTS ABOUT
HR-2885 LEGAL WORKFORCE ACT !
IT WILL BE VOTED ON THIS WEEK !
Here all the links to the most up to date relevant info on how our own Party’s supreme RINO leadership is about to put an end to AZ SB 1070 type State laws once and for all !
We must try to STOP THEM from doing this to us !
Heavily-flawed E-Verify bill
HR-2885 The Legal Workforce Act
Throwing the States off the Field !
http://nationalreview.com/corner/270003/throwing-states-field-kris-kobach
Read the Bill: HR-2885 Legal Workforce Act
http://1787network.com/2011/09/read-the-bill-hr-2885-e-verify/2724885
HR 2885 Legal Workforce Act Action Alert !
http://ojjpac.org/HR 20288
The Legal Workforce Act Hobbles Border States !
Report Post »http://nypost.com/p/news/opinion/opedcolumnists/anoth
denwin
Posted on September 27, 2011 at 8:44amRead the Bill: HR-2885 Legal Workforce Act
http://1787network.com/2011/09/read-the-bill-hr-2885-e-verify/2724885
HR 2885 Legal Workforce Act Action Alert !
Report Post »http://www.ojjpac.org/HR%202885.asp
Plumber1911
Posted on September 27, 2011 at 8:17amMarvin window and doors have high end products,hopefully they can hang on another six to ten years and maybe the economy will be in better shape.Good luck but when the assault of the new government regulations crashes down in the end they will be selling the equipment to China for pennies.A Great Lakes area governor will take trip to China on the tax payers dime to get the Chinese company to locate a distribution center in there state to bring jobs back to America.The solution is get off business back and maybe the jobs would stay in America but I don’t think that will happen there no HOPE for that kind of CHANGE.
Report Post »denwin
Posted on September 27, 2011 at 8:13am“Why Is HR-2885 Legal Workforce Act Such a Bad Bill ?”
IT COMPLETELY NULLIFIES AZ SB 1070′s and all states past-current-on-the-books and recently passed, AL, AZ, IN, GA, PA, VA, UT,
E-Verify laws !
If HR-2885 Legal Workforce Act passes in the US House this week,
Only; Obama, Napolitano, Holder, Clinton will be able to monitor-control-handle E-Verify, for the next 15 months !
It will remain in Feds hands after that, the States will be barred from having anything to do with any part of E-Verify enforcement !
The Federal Appeals court just recently upheld AZ SB 1070′s E-Verify laws as the only part of AZ SB 1070 that they could agree with !
WAKE UP, BOMBARD THE CONGRESS WITH COMPLAINTS ABOUT
HR-2885 LEGAL WORKFORCE ACT !
IT WILL BE VOTED ON THIS WEEK !
Here all the links to the most up to date relevant info on how our own Party’s supreme RINO leadership is about to put an end to AZ SB 1070 type State laws once and for all !
We must try to STOP THEM from doing this to us !
Heavily-flawed E-Verify bill
HR-2885 The Legal Workforce Act
Throwing the States off the Field !
http://nationalreview.com/corner/270003/throwing-states-field-kris-kobach
Read the Bill: HR-2885 Legal Workforce Act
1787network.com/2011/09/read-the-bill-hr-2885-e-verify/2724885
HR 2885 Legal Workforce Act Action Alert !
Report Post »http://ojjpac.org/HR 20288
denwin
Posted on September 27, 2011 at 8:04amRep Steve King R-IA Fights For Removal Of HR-2885′s Preemption Clause in Judiciary Committee Debate, fairus.org
http://thedavelevineshow.ning.com/xn/detail/3206217:BlogPost:31576
House Conservatives Must Be Told To Oppose HR-2885
http://thedavelevineshow.ning.com/profiles/blogs/house-conservatives-must-be-told-to-oppose-hr-2885-by-dave-levine
Lamar Smiths HR-2885 Under Attack From Grass Roots Groups
http://thedavelevineshow.ning.com/profiles/blogs/lamar-smith-s-hr-2885-under-attack-from-grass-roots-prior-to
NAFBPO Comes Out Against HR 2885, Preemption, Allows 8 Million Illegals to work at US Jobs !
http://thedavelevineshow.ning.com/xn/detail/3206217:BlogPost:31613
HR-2885 Legal Workforce Act
freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2735454/posts
http://numbersusa.com/content/node/12299
Heavily-flawed E-Verify bill
HR-2885 The Legal Workforce Act
Throwing the States off the Field !
http://nationalreview.com/corner/270003/throwing-states-field-kris-kobach
Read the Bill: HR-2885 Legal Workforce Act
http://1787network.com/2011/09/read-the-bill-hr-2885-e-verify/2724885
HR 2885 Legal Workforce Act Action Alert !
http://ojjpac.org/HR 20288
HR-2885 The Legal Workforce Act
http://govtrack.us/congress/bill.xpd?bill=h112-2885
HR 2885 Section 6 Federal Preemption Clause Blocks AZ SB 1070 E-Verify Laws
http://govtrack.us/congress/billtext.xpd?bill=h112-2885
The Legal Workforce Act Hobbles Border States !
Report Post »http://nypost.com/p/news/opinion/opedcolumnists/ano
love the kids
Posted on September 27, 2011 at 7:51amYou shouldn’t have done this story. Obama will be pissed that a company is making it on their own and will now have to create regulations against windex or something so that these employees have to go on Govt. assistance.
Report Post »drybackinpi
Posted on September 27, 2011 at 6:56amLet me ax you dis Susie Marvin…will you be voting for BHO again? :)
Report Post »Cat
Posted on September 27, 2011 at 6:25amMarvin Windows & Doors … I feel for you and your employees.
Deciphering government regulation is a daily task in the construction field, and it’s getting worse.
A medical specification for a hospital has typically been about 4 inches thick.
It’s the same for education specifications.
The new building code is 5 inches thick and growing.
Reading the new building code is more about flipping pages to cross-reference then deciphering the meaning of the text on any given page.
The bookkeeper use to be a vendor, but the state and federal tax regulations have become so complex and confusing, now the bookkeeper is a full time employee and the only employee logging overtime.
The current state of government is out of control, and recently, evidence is beginning to manifest that the government is purposely trying to shut America down.
(And I might add, it stinks of racism and corruption)
An old discussion about bankruptcy keeps spinning through my head.
“When did you know you were bankrupt?”
“It came a little at a time, then suddenly, it was at the door.”
It’s time we put our feet down, stick out our chests and yell out to our government at ALL levels;
“NO MORE … YOU’RE GETTING CUT … IN HALF!”
Report Post »BORNFREETAXEDTODEATH
Posted on September 27, 2011 at 1:28amMy _H_A_T_ OFF TO THE ***MARVIN”S*** Way to GO and keep up the great job and show the WORLD that AMERICA can STILL have great products….MADE IN AMERICA….. This is the real way to show our PRIDE in AMERICA is still GOING STRONG !
Report Post »drybackinpi
Posted on September 27, 2011 at 6:57amPoppycock
Report Post »GUT_CHECK
Posted on September 27, 2011 at 8:53amyep!!!
i hope when i replace my windows in a couple years marvin is still around, and affordable enough to consider
Report Post »mrbuff1959
Posted on September 27, 2011 at 9:36pmWe are ready to replace all windos in our home .in texas how do i contact you?
Report Post »ChevalierdeJohnstone
Posted on September 27, 2011 at 1:23amThat’s a great idea. Keep people underemployed in jobs that don’t need doing because there is not enough demand for your products. Let’s all go back to driving horse-drawn carriages so we can put the buggy-whip industry back in business.
There are differences in ability among employees. The best, most productive employees at this company, who would be earning higher wages if they weren’t indirectly funding the dead weight of those who should be finding other jobs, should be Ticked Off at the way they are being used and abused by their publicity-hound, communist employers. Yes, this is what Communism looks like, folks. “From each according to his ability, to each according to his need.”
This is not Capitalism, it’s not Christian, it‘s not Community Service and it ain’t Charity. This is a crass PR stunt plain and simple.
If you’re a business owner and you want to help your community:
1) Make a product people want
2) Don’t lie, cheat, or steal
3) Employ the people you need to run your business – and only those people
4) Make a giant load of money
5) Invest in other new business ideas to provide even more jobs
That’s the American way. Not this commie crud.
Report Post »Huuf Arted
Posted on September 27, 2011 at 1:53amIts their money and last i looked they can spend it and run their company as they see fit same as the employees are free to take their better skills somewhere else for higher wages if they dont like the deal they are getting there since no one seems to be trying to stop them…
Who is the REAL commie here Commrade Chev. ?
Report Post »Kess
Posted on September 27, 2011 at 2:34amThey are not being forced to stay there. They can leave if they want. This company is making a guarantee that no other company is willing to do: everyone keeps his/her job. The hours may be less but they are keeping their benefits and still earning a paycheck. I really don’t see how this can be construed as a PR stunt other than by someone like you.
Report Post »lets_be_honest
Posted on September 27, 2011 at 3:11amwow, Chevalier! are you that blind to the Capitalist system??? they make windows…everyone needs windows! People just can’t afford to fix up/build homes, so this company is trying to ride it out. Obama promises “better days” right?
Report Post »And what is the alternative, close the factory? Maybe move it to China, and make windows there???
Wise up, my friend. Defend America.
LoneRanger
Posted on September 27, 2011 at 1:11amIt is companies like this we never hear about that are keeping our country in the tank. Then Obama says the owners are rich, lets tax them some more. If the rich were not rich, these folks would be out of a job and charities would go belly up.
If you are a veteran, check out http://www.publicsafetyveterans.com
Report Post »vennoye
Posted on September 27, 2011 at 12:21amGood for them!! What a good example of the differences between large global corporations and the small businesses that are the REAL backbone of America!! Know they are being blessed.
Report Post »banjarmon
Posted on September 27, 2011 at 12:14amHang in there with GOD’s blessings!!
Report Post »teddrunk
Posted on September 26, 2011 at 11:56pmWhy not continue the $1500 tax credit on replacing windows or adding insulation to the house. They dropped it to a lousy $200. It should actually increase to spur the remodeling industry.
Report Post »thepatriotdave
Posted on September 27, 2011 at 12:15amOk, that’s all fine and dandy for the home-building and re-modeling business, but do we then create new tax credit programs for everything else that people buy and use? If you are going to give tax credits for one industry, it’s not fair unless you have a tax credit program for all industries.
Report Post »Can you start seeing the folly of your comment?
thepatriotdave
Posted on September 27, 2011 at 12:16amAmerica is in desperate need of a hero, Allen West is mine!
Report Post »Mimi24
Posted on September 26, 2011 at 11:47pmMy family is in the building industry. We may need to take a closer look at Marrvin. Good job Marvin family. I believe that you will be blessed for your stand. It’s about people and not the almighty dollar.
Report Post »georgiavietvet
Posted on September 26, 2011 at 11:44pmyou watch, the gov’t will go after marvin windows much like they went after gibson guitars. obama can’t stand for any business , except union businesses, to be succsessful. he only cares about his marxist goal of making us all dependant on the gov’t…………………………….
Report Post »1casawizard
Posted on September 27, 2011 at 12:09amYou might be right. Marvin Window and Doors certainly fits the bill for the bunch up there to shut the windows and doors on this plant. They can’t stand anyone one making money except the chinos. NOTHING surprises me with bunch up there. 13 months and counting.
Report Post »Pegi
Posted on September 27, 2011 at 4:05pmAmen!!
Report Post »where is JG
Posted on September 26, 2011 at 11:39pmHey Minnesota! Keep electing Idiots like Ellison and your whole state is doomed
Report Post »CitizenVetUSA
Posted on September 26, 2011 at 11:28pmDouble Dip = Recession to Depression to Collapse.
Report Post »82dAirborne
Posted on September 26, 2011 at 11:26pmGod Bless them.
Mr. Obama would love to tax the Marvins more…… Is that really a good idea??
Report Post »Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}
Posted on September 26, 2011 at 11:38pmGod bless them indeed, this is more proof that the spirit of the small business entrepenuer here in the USA is indomitable when faced with hard times, so long as the blasted governments of state and federal get off their backs.
And yes, Mr Obama will try to tax them into oblivion.
Report Post »1casawizard
Posted on September 27, 2011 at 12:12amHell to the NO.
Report Post »