Manufactured in Spokane, WA Since 1970
1955 - How It All Started
James R. Hall and Bertie Peck formed a company called it House of Aluminum. They sold aluminum awnings, aluminum windows and storm doors.
1959
Robert Cossette and Henry (Hank) Grinalds were working for a large glass and metal distribution retailer. Both had reached an age when they knew they had to decide whether to continue working for someone else or establish a business of their own. They decided the later.
In March, 1959, the two men formed Acme Glass, Inc. They built a six-figure volume during the first nine months of operation, raising it 50% in 1960, and continuing to boost volume high enough to justify the move to a new building built to their specifications. This was accomplished in spite of a recession which hit Spokane in 1959 and a three-month strike of union glaziers the same year.
New Building
Cossette and Grinalds decided to build a new place of business where they could promote automotive installations and drop-in trade by presenting a more attractive business establishment and by stocking and promoting greater variety of hardware. They chose to build at East 7225 Sprague Ave with a move-in date of June 1, 1959. They designed the building to provide a handsome glass and metal storefront and a convenient, labor saving work area. A railroad spur was recently being built to bring carload lots directly to the rear door of the warehouse.
The offices are divided by greylite #14 and obscure glass.
Late 1960's - Marlin Caught in Hawaii
In the late 1960's, Hank Grinalds, Walt Lasbrook & Bob Cromer, went fishing in Hawaii and caught a Marlin. There is some discrepancy as to who actually hooked the Marlin, but they all helped reel it in. The Marlin was replicated, mounted and hung in their showroom. It hangs in Marlin Windows' showroom to this day.
1970 - How The Marlin Product Name Started
Looking to name the aluminum window line, each employee was asked to write down a suggestion, with the winner to be awarded $100. Ken McLeod came up with Marlin as he really liked the Marlin hanging in the showroom. He ended up spending the $100 buying everyone drinks that evening.
1971
Hank Grinalds purchased House of Aluminum from James Hall combining Acme Glass with House of Aluminum.
1975 - New 50,000 Sq Ft Building
Hank Grinalds starts construction of a new 50,000 square-foot manufacturing facility @ 5414 E Broadway (current location of Marlin Windows), across the street from their facility @ 5417 E Broadway Ave.
1976 - House of Aluminum Sold
Hank Grinalds sells House of Aluminum to Steve Engstrom.
1981 - House of aluminum Sold Again
Steve Engstrom sells House of Aluminum to his brother, Lowell (Bo) Engstrom.
1988 - Northwest Aluminum Products
Northwest Aluminum Products purchases House of Aluminum making it their third location. The other locations are Kent, WA & Yakima, WA.
1993 - Northwest Windows & Patio Doors
Jeld-Wen, Inc purchases Northwest Aluminum Products and renames it Northwest Windows & Patio Doors. Northwest Windows begins manufacturing their own vinyl windows in addition to Marlin aluminum products with 150 employees and two shifts.
Newspaper & Magazine Ads - 1964-2019
