Staff Reports
A Columbus couple who worked side-by-side to run and grow Overhead Door Company of Columbus for more than 53 years has sold the business, allowing them to retire.
Company president Don Schmidt and his wife Pat, who served as secretary-treasurer, on Wednesday sold their business to Chuck and Suzanne Wells of Columbus. They are renaming the business Overhead Door Company of South Central Indiana, reflecting its 11-county sales and service area.
The Overhead Door purchase price was not immediately disclosed.
After today, Chuck Wells will be leaving his position as vice president and group publisher for AIM Media Indiana, including The Republic, to become president of the new firm. Suzanne Wells, who will continue as executive director of purchasing for the Cummins Inc. Engine business segment, will not be active in the Overhead Door business.
The company franchise in Columbus opened in 1947, but after a time it went back into corporate hands until the Schmidts stepped in on July 1, 1965, as owners.
“We started from scratch,” said Pat Schmidt, 82, of the company that serves businesses and residents from Whiteland in Johnson County south to the Ohio River, including Columbus.
“We started with one installer, one truck, a bookkeeper, my wife and me,” said Don Schmidt, 83. “I sold the doors all day and then I would come back to the office and make them up all night.”
Pat would paint the doors, which were made of wood in the early days. Then Don and Pat worked together into the evening to assemble the doors, adding hardware and the tracks.
The family company also included a son, Don Schmidt Jr., who had been part of the business since college, working as vice president of sales. He died last year at age 61 after a 13-year battle with cancer.
The Schmidts opened their Overhead Door of Columbus franchise in the back half of the Columbus Glass and Mirror warehouse on National Road.
Looking to expand, they bought a building at 1595 Jackson St. in the late 1960s that provided more space. And in 1971, the Schmidts expanded again in a new building at 1675 Indianapolis Road, next to the current office at 1685 Indianapolis Road.
Overhead Door today operates from three buildings on the Indianapolis Road property, including a maintenance shop, where 30 full-time employees work.
They have served hundreds of clients over the years, including third- and fourth-generation customers, the Schmidts said.
“I had various people interested, but I didn’t think they would run it like I wanted it run,” Don Schmidt said. “Then Chuck came to us and wanted to know if we’d be interested (in selling).”
Although the Schmidts did not previously know Chuck and Suzanne Wells, over the years they had gotten to know Chuck’s father, retired attorney Charlie Wells Jr.
Even into their early 80s, the Schmidts had been running the business every day — a few months of the year from Fort Myers, Florida, where the Grandview Lake couple spends time during the winter.
“All my friends have been retired 20 years,” Schmidt said of the decision to sell the business.
Don and Pat Schmidt both said they wanted to thank all of the customers who have given them their business over five decades.
“Overhead Door of Columbus is a widely respected local business with very talented and committed employees. I hope to honor the Schmidts’ contributions and continue to grow the business,” Chuck Wells said.
[sc:pullout-title pullout-title=”Overhead Door Company” ][sc:pullout-text-begin]
Overhead Door Company of Columbus opened in 1947. It was purchased by Don and Pat Schmidt on July 1, 1965. The Schmidts sold the company Wednesday to Chuck and Suzanne Wells.
Location: 1685 Indianapolis Road, Columbus
Service area: Provides garage door sales and service to businesses and residents in an 11-county area, from Columbus south to the Ohio River.
More information: Call 812-379-2358 or visit overheaddoorofcolumbus.com
[sc:pullout-text-end]
