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.

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.

Susan Marvin, president of Marvin Windows and Doors, appeared today on Bloomberg TV’s “Bottom Line.” In this 6-minute interview, Susan discusses Marvin’s emphasis on taking the long view of what’s best for the company and its communities. Marvin believes its employees and their skills are its most valuable resource — and that’s why the company has done everything in its power to avoid laying off workers in the economic downturn.

It’s a great interview, and “Bottom Line” host Mark Crumpton was incisive and well-prepared. Crumpton really was in command of his material in a way that you don’t always see in the hectic world of business TV journalism.

Best of all, Crumpton invited Susan back for a return engagement. We love telling the Marvin story and are always happy when someone gives us a turn in the “bully pulpit,” so we’ll look forward to talking with Mark again in the future.

Our president, 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 Windows and Doors 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 is positioning itself 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 Marvin’s Facebook page and let us know your thoughts.

We’re proud to have been invited on “Fox & Friends,” the nation’s top-rated cable morning show, to discuss Marvin’s fight to keep its employees on the job during the long economic downturn.

Susan Marvin, our company president, did a great job presenting Marvin’s viewpoint on the critical issue of American jobs.

“We recognize that people are our most valuable asset, so that’s the last place we’re going to cut,” she told co-host Clayton Morris. Everyone at the company has participated in the sacrifices needed to preserve jobs, she said — including senior management and all 16 Marvin family members who work full-time for the company.

Marvin remains committed to making decisions that will serve the long-term interests of the company, she stressed.

“You guys did a great service, and this is a remarkable thing, Susan,” Morris said as he wrapped up the interview, shaking his head in admiration.

We’re getting that reaction a lot. To us, it’s just business as usual. But we appreciate the sentiment, and we’ll keep doing everything we can to preserve American jobs.

Each year, the Public Relations Society of America uses the Bronze Anvil Awards to recognize the best individual items or components of programs or companies that contribute to the overall success of public relations programs and campaigns.

Last week, Marvin Windows and Doors received a Bronze Anvil for its online media room coverage of the 2010 International Builders Show and an award of commendation for an op-ed column (Do Layoffs Really Help The Bottom Line?) by Susan Marvin, president of Marvin Windows and Doors.

We’re grateful for the recognition, and excited to share the news via the venue (online media room) that won an award.

Susan Marvin

Susan Marvin, president of Marvin Windows and Doors, received Bemidji State University’s 2011 Distinguished Minnesotan Award during commencement ceremonies today.

First presented by Bemidji State in 1981, the Distinguished Minnesotan Award acknowledges the contributions of current or former residents of the state who have performed exemplary service to the people of Minnesota or the United States. Susan Marvin’s father, the late William S. Marvin, received the honor in 1990. Other awardees include transplant surgeon Dr. John Najarian; polar explorer Ann Bancroft; and television journalist Don Shelby.

“Susan Marvin is a stellar example of what the Distinguished Minnesotan Award is all about,” said Richard A. Hanson, president of Bemidji State University. “A product of northern Minnesota, she has remained firmly rooted in her commitment to the area while generously sharing her leadership talents with state and national organizations.

“She is a superb role model for our students, leading by example and proving once again that hard work and commitment to community are keys to success,” Hanson said.

As president of Marvin Windows and Doors, Marvin oversees the window and door business of the Marvin Companies including the Marvin, Integrity and Infinity brands. Marvin serves on the boards of directors for Hormel Foods Corp., Marvin Lumber and Cedar Co., the University of Minnesota Foundation Board of Trustees and the St. Thomas College of Business Advisory Board of Governors. She is a member of the World Presidents’ Organization and Women Corporate Directors.

“I’m deeply honored to receive this award,” Marvin said. “This recognition reflects the accomplishments of a larger community — the amazing group of talented people whose goal is to lead an industry and have succeeded in doing so. So that’s why I am accepting this honor on behalf of my family and our community. The values I have lived by, the accomplishments, the success … they’re not mine alone. I am proud to share them with a long line of people who showed me that success is not an end in itself, but rather a means to an end. It is what allows us to make lives better for others.

“I’m especially proud to be recognized by a respected institution of higher education,” Marvin said. “Both my parents believed fervently that education, coupled with hard work, is the key to success in life. I’m confident that this year’s graduates will once again demonstrate the truth of that belief.”

Marvin has been an active member of various industry associations including the Window and Door Manufacturers Association and the National Council of the Housing Industry. She was a member of the Minnesota Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors, and in 1995 served as board chair. In 1995, Minnesota Governor Arne Carlson honored Marvin for her contributions to Minnesota business.

Marvin is a 1979 graduate of the University of Minnesota, where she earned an undergraduate degree in journalism. She lives in Warroad and Minneapolis with her husband, Keith Schwartzwald.

Readers’ reactions to the story were overwhelmingly positive:

This is spot on. … Companies complain employees aren’t loyal to them, yet the companies aren’t loyal to their employees. I applaud Marvin Windows on thinking outside the standard response to an economic downturn.

Those of us who reside in NW MN and Eastern ND have grown accustomed to the generosity of the Marvin family. Their company (which they have shared with their employees) and its leaders have always been a class act, and they lead by example in the community in which they live and work.

This is a very compelling letter. Wish there were more companies like Marvin Windows.

Read the full article on startribune.com.

She explains:

Last year, I stood before more than 1,000 workers at our company’s flagship factory and told them we were reducing their weekly hours from 40 to 32.

They cheered.

Why? Because they were keeping their jobs. With the housing industry in the worst downturn of our lifetimes, our workers feared for their futures. They’d seen others in our business cut jobs and even close plants in response to the prolonged housing slump. When they learned we wouldn’t be following suit, it was an emotional moment.

Read the full piece at the Grand Forks Herald. The article also ran in the Fargo (N.D.) Forum.

The two also discussed how the recession has driven innovation within the window and door industry and how Marvin  is working through this economic downturn. The discussion ends with questions from the business faculty at the Carlson School of Management, co-presenter of this event.

You can watch the full interview — in its entirety or in edited segments — at TPT’s video vault.