There is an interesting history behind the name: North Star-Bailey Company.
In 1945, Marshall H. Bailey II founded the Marshall H. Bailey Company. The company’s expertise was in the sale, service and installation of aluminum storm windows, storm doors, and aluminum screen porch enclosures. The company also operated a small manufacturing shop for the production of ‘Bailey Storm Panels’, the hallmark product of the company. Bailey Panels were designed to be installed over steel casement type windows, and the vinyl bulb, refrigerator type gasket, and unique stud and clip fastening system, made Bailey Panels unique in their design and second to none in energy efficiency.
Upon the senior Mr. Bailey’s retirement in the early 1970’s, his son, Marshall H. (Bill) Bailey III, and his wife, Wilma, took over the reins of the company. The name of the company was changed in the late seventies to Bailey and Son, Inc. Under the direction of Bill and Wilma Bailey, the product line was expanded and Bailey & Son’s reputation grew right along with it, continuing to be known for supplying and producing high quality products, exceptional professional installations and customer service.
In 1976, twenty-year old Stephen Gerrish was hired to work as an installer for Bailey & Son, and three years later, Stephen’s brother, Jeff Gerrish, came to work for Bailey & Son. These are Steve and Jeff’s roots in the remodeling industry. They both feel very fortunate to have learned from the best in the business at Bailey & Son, and it is there that they were instilled with the ‘quality first’ mentality. The knowledge and experience gained by learning the installation, manufacturing and customer service ends of the business during their employment at Bailey & Son has been invaluable to them as the company moves forward.
In 1986, Steve Gerrish left Bailey & Son to start out on his own venture, and in 1987, North Star Window Company, Inc. was founded. The new company added a few new twists from Steve’s roots at Bailey & Son. The company’s product line was to include the installation of vinyl siding, replacement windows, prefabricated porch enclosures and room additions, as well as the main stays of storm window and door products. Brother Jeff joined Steve in the new venture in 1988 as the company’s Installation Supervisor.
Although it may appear on the outside that there may have been some hostility between the two companies, nothing could be further from the truth. North Star Window Company’s growth was mainly in areas of remodeling that Bailey and Son did not compete, and it became a cordial, friendly type of competition between two companies that hailed from the same town. Over the next six years, there were many friendly visits between the interests of each company, just to chat or say hello, and talk of merging the two companies was discussed on some occasions. A merger never did happen, and in 1992, Bill and Wilma Bailey decided it was time to retire and enjoy the finer points of life.
In March of 1993, an agreement between North Star Window Company and Bailey and Son was reached. North Star Window Company would acquire the assets of Bailey and Son. The two companies that excelled in quality products, installation and customer service would now become one company, and a name change was in order. What better way to honor each company’s exemplary past than to include the name of each company in the new company name?
Now you know the story behind the name, and the company––North Star-Bailey Company, Inc.
