In tough times, a company protects its people

Warroad, Minn.-based Marvin Windows and Doors has refused to fire employees during the downturn. An article in the New York Times explains the company's reasons.

The company's philosophy was captured in a quote in the article from Susan Marvin, the company's president and granddaughter of the founder, George Marvin: "You can't cut your way to prosperity," she told the newspaper. "You can't grow if you are cutting your lifeblood -- and that's the skills and experience your force delivers."

Marvin is a privately held windows and doors manufacturer with about 4,300 employees, some 2,000 in Warrroad.