A tradition that drives us every day: JELD-WEN's history of core values

Our journey began in 1960 when Richard “Dick” Wendt purchased a small millwork plant in Klamath Falls, Oregon. With just fifteen employees, JELD-WEN quickly gained a reputation for being not only a reliable manufacturer in the industry, but also a company that embodied its core values.

Dick believed deeply in a set of principles that drove his personal and work philosophy, and several evolved into the five core values that continue to define JELD-WEN today.

One of these principles was the “Golden Rule,” the development of truthfulness, fairness and honesty in dealing with others. Dick believed these virtues needed to be learned, fostered and nurtured. By setting the example of the “Golden Rule,” Dick helped ensure our actions and products align with our promises — a commitment reflected in our value of delivering on our promises. 

From the beginning, Dick prioritized building businesses ethically and safely, recognizing the importance of building trust and credibility and taking care of his employees. As JELD-WEN grew through acquisitions, it integrated its expanding workforce into the existing structure of the “Golden Rule.” JELD-WEN focused on teaching both new and existing employees ethical business practices and safety protocols.

In addition to prioritizing employee safety, JELD-WEN continues to work to ensure employees are valued. Our commitment to invest in people focuses on employee training and development programs, training leaders for success, and fostering a sense of belonging — a legacy carried from our small, family-owned roots to our global operations.

Investment in people also helps power our value of improving every day. Through learning and growth, our employees continuously enhance their skill sets and our business operations. Another of Dick’s core beliefs was that education is an essential, lifelong process. This belief endures as JELD-WEN strives for continuous improvement.

Dick and his partners always sought to serve the growing needs of customers and to do right by the planet. That commitment led to a number of JELD-WEN-developed new products and technologies that demonstrate our value of inspiring customers through innovation.

In 1975, JELD-WEN opened our first plant for making molded door skins using wood waste from our millwork operations. This effort created high-quality, durable products for our customers while also demonstrating early dedication to environmental responsibility.

In the years since, JELD-WEN has embraced innovation to the fullest, designing and manufacturing energy-efficient windows and doors, introducing industry-leading technologies such as AuraLast® pine (proven to resist wood rot, water saturation, and termites), and launching Second Nature™, a collection of environmentally friendly interior doors.

A values led culture from the start

Dick Wendt had a vision for a company that respected its employees and embraced a family-like culture but also prioritized growth and innovation. As the company grew from a small business into a global manufacturer, Dick’s guiding principles informed the five core values that became central to our operations and continue to drive our business today: build businesses ethically and safely, invest in people, inspire customers through innovation, deliver on promises, and improve every day.

Read more about our history and values.