ProVia honored for excellence at EODA annual meeting
ProVia was recently honored by the Eastern Ohio Development Alliance as one of its five Excellence Award recipients.
While ProVia has become recognized nationally as one of the nation’s highest quality creators in doors, windows, siding and stone, the company hangs its hat on a very different entity, that being its people.
That commitment to its employees and making sure their needs are met was one of the main reasons the company was recently honored with an award of highest accommodations from Eastern Ohio Development Alliance.
Each year EODA seeks out organizations, businesses, towns and counties that serve Northeast Ohio and provide recreation and meaning to their communities and counties in helping the local economy thrive.
On Friday, April 29 in Walnut Creek at its annual EODA meeting, EODA honored ProVia as one of its five Excellence Award recipients.
Nominator and presenter Mark Leininger, Holmes County economic development director, presented the Excellence Award to ProVia during the annual EODA meeting at Carlisle Inn in Walnut Creek.
Leininger said ProVia’s name served as much more than just a name with its Latin meaning, “The Professional Way,” serving as the company’s foundation.
“That serves as a standard and is emblematic of both the company’s production standards as well as founder Bill Mullet’s faith-based business philosophy. It prioritizes purpose over profits,” Leininger said.
The company began in 1977 when it began producing aluminum storm doors in a small garage in Walnut Creek. Leininger said under owner Mullet’s guidance and leadership, the company began its trek toward becoming one of the area’s business leaders, with integrity becoming a focal point.
In earning industry accolades throughout the years, ProVia has served as an example of how a business should be run, valuing its loyal employees first and sharing Mullet’s commitment to his faith, service to community, and creating the highest quality product in the door and window, siding, roofing, and stone industries.
When Mullet retired in 2015, ProVia had outgrown its facility in Walnut Creek and now has facilities in six locations in two states.
When Mullet retired, he handed the president and CEO reins over to Brian Miller, who has continued to follow the blueprint created by Mullet.
“With Brian at the helm, ProVia remains on a decidedly upward trajectory,” Leininger said. “Its facilities and workforce continue to grow, and its products are being purchased as fast as they can make them and distributes its award-winning products throughout the country.”
Leininger said the principles put in place by Mullet many years ago continue to create growing relationships within the community and with clientele while maintaining its employee-first mentality. He said the gift of serving has continued to provide many philanthropic endeavors throughout the area.
“It has secured its place as a community anchor,” Leininger said of ProVia. “Characteristically, it has done all these things without any expectation of recognition. In doing so, it has quietly distinguished itself as one of the brightest stars in Holmes County’s constellation of commerce.”
With its growth and success, ProVia continues to develop its resources and facilities, most recently adding a large warehousing facility to the east side of its main office in Walnut Creek.
“It’s humbling to be here and to be recognized by EODA,” said Larry Troyer, ProVia vice president of finance and marketing, who accepted the honor on behalf of the entire team at ProVia. “When I consider where ProVia is now and our success, I do want to recognize our employees. They really do make the difference, and certainly Bill Mullet’s influence through the years has shaped the culture of ProVia. But our 1,700 employees today continue to embrace and promote that, and that is what has allowed ProVia to excel.”
Having been nominated by Leininger for the award, Troyer said that relationship has been instrumental in helping ProVia grow and prosper. He said the county commissioners in both Holmes and Tuscarawas counties also have been very involved in helping the company to blossom.