Staff Writer
WESTFIELD – There’s a new business in town whose goal is making access in and out of any facility as easy as possible.
Overhead Door of Aroostook, based in Bangor, has set up shop at 524 Houlton Road, located at the town line between Westfield and Presque Isle. The facility features everything it takes to install and maintain doors, whether it’s a residential garage or a commercial loading dock.
“We’ve been in business in Maine for about 28 years but our staff has about 200 years’ combined field experience working on doors. We’re here to make sure you don’t get caught with your doors down,” said Mark Talon, owner.
“It was determined there was a need for a division here in the County. We’ve been coming up here for years, servicing various clients in the area, such as the Presque Isle Industrial Council and all the facilities it operates. With fuel prices going up and the increasing number of clients in the area, it was determined it was in everyone’s best interest to look into establishing a division here,” said Talon.
Although the business hasn’t even had its grand opening yet, Talon said there’s been no shortage of customers since the business set up shop in September.
“We got here in September, just before Labor Day. We’re still getting established, making contacts. We’ve already had several customers stop in, asking if we are open and can we do a job for them,” explained Talon. “It’s just been amazing. You know you’re needed and the market’s ready when you have people stopping in and calling even before you hold a grand opening.”
The current staff consists of five individuals.
“Darrel Groh is the sales manager, Dennis Gero serves as a sales rep. We also have two local mechanics from the area, Richard Campbell and Jason Clair. Rounding out the staff will be Steve Burgess, operations manager. I’m here filling in for Steve while he’s training in Bangor,” Talon said.
The business doesn’t limit itself to overhead doors for just structures, it also serves the needs of the trucking industry.
“Our garage here is large enough to pull a tractor-trailer in so we can repair or replace a trailer’s overhead door,” said Talon.
Staff can install doors of varying sizes or repair existing units. Costs vary based on the size of door installed.
“We’re currently having a truckload sale. Doors start at $275, with insulated units beginning around $415. We have doors in stock that are 8’x7’, 9’x7’, 10’x7’, 9’x8’, 10’x8’, as well as 16-foot doors. Units come with or without windows,” said Talon. “We also have sections that are actually 28’6” – that allows for cutting down, so we can do up to 24-foot sections. We can guarantee commercial Thermacore replacement sections within 24 hours or less.”
The business features sectional steel door systems by the likes of Legacy and Overhead Door Corporation.
Established in 1979, Talon said the company takes pride in the fact many of those on staff have been with the company for several years.
“We’ve got one gentleman who’s been with us since we opened and now his son is actually an employee too. So we’re going on our second generation of employees now,” said Talon. “That says a lot about our business and its staff. Experience counts.”
Overhead Door of Aroostook is a full-service operation.
“We offer preventative maintenance. That helps to eliminate potential problems down the road. We’ll go over everything, top to bottom, and make recommendations for replacement of worn components,” said Talon. “That can save on emergency calls – that’s especially important when you’re coming home in the middle of a snowstorm and need to get your vehicle under cover. We want to impress upon people the importance of maintenance.”
Doors and components come in a variety of colors and designs, with one of the most popular being the Courtyard Collection, featuring a more rustic look.
“The Courtyard Collection is especially nice in a rural setting – gives a carriage house look in a custom steel garage door,” said Talon.
With winter weather fast approaching, the business is focused on inspection and preventative maintenance.
“We see the need for full service here. One option we have to help you gain access in those wild winter weather conditions is we provide a full line of electric operators. They open more quickly than standard openers, making entry quicker in bad weather. That’s especially important if you have an inclined driveway. You don’t have to stop and wait for the door to open like you would with some of the other openers,” said Talon.
Talon said the company stands behind its products 100 percent, with safety being a top priority.
“Safety, honesty and quality is what we represent. We hold regular training sessions and personnel meetings to ensure everything’s done properly,” said Talon.
“Whether you need a complete unit, service or parts, we have it all. We have parts and pieces in stock, including track springs, rollers, hinges, pulleys and weather seal,” said Talon.
Business hours are Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. to 5 p.m., with 24-hour emergency service available, should your door quit when you need it most.
For more information or to schedule an appointment for replacement or repair, contact 554-9044.
“If you have an opening, we can fill it,” said Talon.
Staff photo/Kathy McCarty
OVERHEAD DOORS OF AROOSTOOK has opened for business at the town line between Westfield and Presque Isle. Pictured with one of the company vehicles is business owner Mark Talon. Based in Bangor, the company saw a growing need in Aroostook County and decided it was time to expand to provide better service to customers in northern Maine.
