November 2013
| Business World Magazine | 43
per and a pencil to design every project from
scratch, in fact, some balked at the design
technology insisting they could work faster
by using a pencil. “If I told them to go back
to pencil drawing today they might shoot
me,” laughs Reese.
As for other changes, these involved ex-
panding training across product platforms
and the fostering of greater collaboration
and communication between varying work
teams. “We had to develop our people, train
them, and we had to trust them. That was
another difference we brought,” says Reese.
“The old owners of Overly were very top
down and directed everything. The owner
told us, ‘When I leave, you’re going to have
to get four guys to replace me.’ Our philoso-
phy was there were people who’ve been here
25 years and they may have ideas on how to
do things better... we created work groups
where we discussed projects and designs, and
as we gradually moved away from the formal,
communications began toflowand engineers
were able to service their thoughts ... there’s
been a real change in having a management
team consisting of senior employees who
don’t just take direction and execute, but are
empowered to anticipate, to be part of the
creative process... it results in a different level
of engagement.”
Overly has grown by acquiring a com-
pany known as Tiger Door, and today it has
a production plant in Mexico as well as an
expanded facility in Greensburg. The com-
pany’s reputation for high performing, en-
gineered innovations, as well as professional
integrity and ISO-certified quality has also
grown internationally. In addition to serv-
ing an impressive list of clients, the company
is aligned with an equally impressive list of
suppliers, which includes industry dyna-
mos such as Contrarian Metal Resources
and Spectrum Metal Finishing. In sourcing
suppliers, Reese says the company has never
focused on finding the cheapest prices, but
rather connecting with those whose quality
standards are as consistent as those compel-
ling operations at Overly. That quality is
reflected in infrastructure throughout the
world and whether it is a roof made from
stainless steel, copper, titanium or some oth-
er metallic marvel, Overly stands by its man-
ufacturing offering a guarantee of 30 years.
As Reese says, “If you’re not going to hold
the building for at least fifty years, you don’t
want an Overly roof.”
DOOR TO THE FUTURE
As for the future, Reese says the company
has recently been recertified to supply prod-
