Are they the company's founders?
No. They are the second owners.  Randy literally went to the original owner to buy a garage door for his own home and wound up buying the business as well as the door!

SOUNDS LIKE A GOOD STORY... CAN YOU TELL ME MORE?
Sure!  Randy holds a pilot’s license and was a certified flight instructor in Florida before moving to Pennsylvania and beginning a new career in the door industry.

In 1994 his job with Automatic Door Enterprises, a company selling and servicing commercial pedestrian doors, took him to Pennsylvania. After a short stint in the Philadelphia area, he was transferred to New Oxford to run Jack’s Door Service. Soon he was invited to become a partner in the business and later bought out the owner and changed the name of the company to Susquehanna Door Service. www.sdsdoors.net

He was often asked by his customers if his company also sold garage doors.  He, unfortunately, had to answer “No.”  But all of that changed the day he went to buy a garage door for his own home.  In his words: “I went to buy a garage door and bought the company as well!” The owner of the company was a woman who was well educated in her field of business.  Randy immediately liked the way she conducted a sale.  “When I told her I’d like to install the door myself, she didn’t try to dissuade me or talk me into using her installation service.  Instead she helped me by giving me instructions and citing safety precautions she wanted me to follow.  When she told me she was planning to retire and sell the company, the wheels in my head began to turn.  When I left her showroom, I knew I would be the next owner of a well-established, credible business that was already operating by my ideals and it could only get better!”

Has Hanover Door become what you want it to be?
“When I purchased the company, I got what I expected…a solid business with a solid reputation that relied on word of mouth for growth.  In today’s economic climate, you have to do more.  Websites, billboards, lettered vehicles and employees in uniforms are just a part of letting potential customers know you’re out there.”

“We were fortunate to be able to retain the company’s experienced service technicians, who are now in the process of becoming IDEA (Institute of Door Dealer Education and Accreditation) certified.  This training and certification demonstrates to our techs and our customers that we’re willing to invest for the benefit of all. In addition, I, along with another employee, have recently completed an extensive training and testing process that has resulted in the accreditation of our company.  This alone speaks volumes about our commitment to our customers and our employees. We’re in this for the long haul!”

In the 2 years since Randy and Kathie bought the company, it has expanded its territory to include York, Adams, Cumberland and Franklin counties in PA, as well Carroll County and northern Baltimore County, Maryland.

So Hanover Door is not a franchise?
“No.  Hanover Door is totally an independant family owned business.

Randy, what "drives" you in business?
“Just the pure satisfaction of growing a reputable company."  When I bought what is now Susquehanna Door Service (our sister company) there was just me.  Now there are two companies and more than a dozen employees serving a six-county area.”

Randy, what part of the business do you like best?
“Repair and troubleshooting.  I like to be a “hands-on” owner.  Of course I must spend time at the office on administrative responsibilities, but I get in a service truck every time I have a chance!”

Randy, what are your plans for the future?
“Slow and steady growth.  Our existing customers would suffer if growth is too rapid.  I want us to “mature” in the sales and service business to the benefit of our organization and our customers.”

What do your customers expect?
“Customers expect options. They expect honesty.  They deserve reliable service.”

What do your employees want?
“Employees want on-going education possibilities and recognition for their acheivements.”

Randy, if your customers could describe you and your company in one word, what would you want that word to be? "Trustworthy!"