Constant and Never Ending Improvement
Since its inception by co founders William Barr and Michael Strmac in 2002, Universal Windows Direct has lived by the philosophy of CANEI – “Constant and Never Ending Improvement”. This philosophy holds true in all aspects of our business, from sales and marketing to installation and service and has catapulted UWD from a small, local home improvement company to one of the largest exterior remodeling companies in the country.
Every one of our employees strives continuously to be the best in the business at what they do and provide our customers with only the highest levels of sales, service, and support. We think our company’s history speaks to this goal and to the power of what we can accomplish by never settling.
2002
Co-founders William Barr and Michael Strmac meet at The Diner on Clifton in Cleveland, OH to discuss launching a new business together. Universal Windows Direct is created from that meeting.
The first office location is opened in Akron, OH
2003
Mike & Bill hire UWD’s first employee – Eric Sears
2005
UWD relocates their office to Valley View, OH
2007
UWD opens it’s first authorized retail (dealer) location
2008
Qualified Remodeler Magazine – #129 home improvement company in the nation. Read More
UWD relocates to Oakwood Village, OH
2009
Qualified Remodeler Magazine – #73 home improvement company in the nation. Read More
2010
Qualified Remodeler Magazine – #46 home improvement company in the nation. Read More
Qualified Remodeler Magazine – #32 exterior remodeling company in the nation. Read More
Mike and Bill receive the Ernst & Young Entrepreneurs of the Year. Read More
Weatherhead 100 award winner.
2011
Qualified Remodeler Magazine – #34 home improvement company in the nation. Read More
Qualified Remodeler Magazine – #26 exterior remodeling company in the nation. Read More
Universal Windows Direct of Charlotte location opened
CEO William Barr featured in Small Business Magazine. Read More
2012
Qualified Remodeler Magazine – #31 home improvement company in the nation. Read More
Qualified Remodeler Magazine – #16 exterior remodeling company in the nation. See article
Window & Door Magazine – 2012 Dealer of the Year for Excellence in Marketing. Read More
2013
Inc. 5000 – One of the fastest growing companies in the nation. Read more
Qualified Remodeler Magazine – #28 home improvement company in the nation. Read More
The UWD motto and jingle are born: You’ll be saying… “I Love My Windows!”
Qualified Remodeler Magazine – #16 exterior remodeling company in the nation. Read More
Remodeling Magazine – #14 on the Remodeling 550 list
2014
Voted a Top Workplace 2014. Read More
Partnership with the Brian Hoyer of the Cleveland Browns
Qualified Remodeler Magazine – #29 home improvement company in the nation.
Weatherhead 100 Winner – #43 fastest growing company in the region. Read More
William Barr, “Four Keys for Setting and Achieving Goals” – TEDx
Qualified Remodeler Magazine – #23 exterior remodeling company in the nation. Read More
Remodeling Magazine – #15 on the Remodeling 550 list
2015
Partnership with Joe Thomas of the Cleveland Browns
Qualified Remodeler Magazine – #20 home improvement company in the nation. Read More
Qualified Remodeler Magazine – #17 home improvement pro list. Read More
Launch of the Free Window Experience
Universal Windows Direct of Indianapolis location opened
Remodeling Magazine – #11 on the Remodeling 550 list
2016
Partnership with the Hue Jackson of the Cleveland Browns
Qualified Remodeler Magazine – #16 home improvement company in the nation.
Remodeling Magazine – #9 on the Remodeling 550 list
Universal Windows Direct of Columbus location opened
2017
Celebrating 15 years of service!
Partnership with the Cleveland Indians
Buy in July promotion is a huge success. UWD gives away over $2 million in home improvement because the Cleveland Indians win 15 games in a row
Voted a Top Workplace 2017
Qualified Remodeler Magazine – #15 home improvement company in the nation.
Universal Windows Direct of St Louis location opened
Remodeling Magazine – #7 on the Remodeling 550 list
2018
Universal Windows Direct of Northwest Kentucky (Louisville) opened.
Qualified Remodeler Magazine – #11 home improvement company in the nation.
Remodeling Magazine – #8 on the Remodeling 550 list
Voted a Top Workplace 2018
Partnership with the Indianapolis Colts
Partnership with Ohio State University Athletics
Weatherhead 100 Winner
Renewed our partnership with Joe Thomas formerly of the Cleveland Browns
2019
Universal Windows Direct of Pittsburgh opened.
New Corporate Headquarters
UWD’s new home is designed to create a more fluid customer service experience while providing employees an exceptional place to grow professionally and personally.
Voted a Top Workplace 2019
Inc. 5000 #870 – One of the fastest growing companies in the nation.
Remodeling Magazine – #7 on the Remodeling 550 list
Qualified Remodeler Magazine – #10 home improvement company in the nation.
Universal Windows Direct of Chicago opened
2020
Universal Windows Direct of Milwaukee opened.
Qualified Remodeler Magazine – #12 home improvement company in the nation.
Developed Virtual Consultations in response to the Global Pandemic – allowing us to continue providing service to homeowners while protecting both them and our employees.
Voted a Top Workplace 2020
Remodeling Magazine – #6 on the Remodeling 550 list
The Future
The future for Universal Windows Direct will continue to revolve around our philosophy of constant and never ending improvement. For our employees, this means always working to be the best, always growing, and always learning. For our customers, this means getting only the best quality products possible, at a reasonable value, and knowing that your investment will be protected for as long as you own your home with world-class service and support.