On Friday, Marvin Windows and Doors president Susan Marvin appeared on CNBC talking about how the company is working through this economic downtown without laying off workers.
Yesterday Susan joined the Fox Business Happy Hour team to discuss the topic in a bit more detail.
A brief excerpt:
It’s very, very challenging [to run a successful business during these times]. And I think laying people off might be the easy thing to do but certainly not the right thing to do. We’ve got a lot of extraordinarily talented individuals working with the company. They’re trained, experienced. They’re loyal, and letting them go would be the wrong thing to do.


April 7th, 2009 - 12:13 pm
I worked at Marvins for 10 years and was very proud of being part of what is considered a very well-run business. I have many friends that still work there and it is great to hear that they don’t have to worry as much as others about losing their jobs. I am very impressed with the innovation and new ideas that you continue to present. A lot of companies “lay low” in troubled times and you are not taking that road. Thank you for teaching me good work values and giving me the skills I can always look back at and be proud of no matter where I am.
Great job Susan on your interview….
as always, Kristi (Stene) Engen
April 7th, 2009 - 12:38 pm
I work for Marvin Windows and Doors, and am presently on voluntary winter leave to care for my Mother in ND. What a wonderful opportunity for me, and when they are not paying me, it builds a cash reserve for others. Our children are grown and my husband and I are able to exist on less. Marvin has offered this leave since early December 2008, and this is the 2nd time I have taken advantage of it.
April 7th, 2009 - 5:55 pm
Thank you to Susan and the entire Marvin family/company for doing the right thing. I work at the plant in Grafton and although it is a bit of a hardship to have reduced hours, I am so grateful to still have my job and to be associated with a company that always “does the right thing”! I am honored to be a part of the Marvin team. Thank you!!
April 8th, 2009 - 7:02 am
Since coming here in August 2006 via a plant shut down at my previous employer I have had nothing but the best working experiance of my career. I have had opportunities for promotion and taken them; I am looking forward to continuing this trend and calling Marvin Windows (Integrity Windows & Doors) my longlasting home of choice. The ethics of this company is phenominal. I can’t say enough good about the structure; thank you for being so well ran from the ground up.
April 8th, 2009 - 8:19 am
working at a retail store I am very aware of what the economy is doing and as with Marvin we also had to adjust but we have kept everyone, it was good to hear that Marvin is working with their employees to kep them working.
April 15th, 2009 - 7:17 am
The most professional supplier of goods and services will always, ultimately prevail in any market condition. We are taking a similar tack as you in dealing with current market conditions. As always, we’re proud to partner with you. Thanks for setting the proper course and demonstrating true leadership. Well done Susan!
April 15th, 2009 - 9:48 pm
As a current Marvin Window and Door retailer and a past two-step distribuotr for Marvin in the 90′s, I have known the Marvin family and their business philososphy to be well grounded and prudent. Their no-nonsense and conservative approach to the marketplace works. Marvin’s dedication to their employees, customers and product innovation is well known and admired by the industry. I am confident that Marvin will come out of this slowdown stronger than most and be well poised for when the market turns.
April 21st, 2009 - 11:43 am
[...] First, in last week’s newsletter we published a link to a video in which Susan Marvin of Marvin Windows and Doors appeared on CNBC as an example of a company who has not had to lay off a single employee during this tough period. At a time when we hear constantly of manufacturers laying off employees, companies should look to Marvin to how they were able to achieve such a feat. If you missed that interview, click here. [...]
April 24th, 2009 - 10:22 am
People who do not know Marvin should take a hard look. Toyota may be the World’s manufacturing leader but Marvin is number one in my book in the US. They know the true meaning of business etiquette 101. I can’t wait to read the book “The Marvin Way”. This is the true meaning of professional.