A History of Strength, Quality, Consistency, and Beauty since 1948

Our Founder

Founder, Jack Dourney, built ArmRLite from the ground up with a focus on quality and ingenuity. He believed then, as we do now, that our customers should always have the option to customize their aluminum and glass garage doors. Jack knew they could not only be high quality, but beautiful as well, adding value and curb appeal to every building they graced. ArmRLite has carefully guarded this reputation through the years and has never compromised or cut corners in our superior fabrication process. We believe in passing true value to our customers with every door that leaves our facility. Our customers know that their ArmRLite welded aluminum and glass garage door will stand the test of time.

Wilma M. Dourney, former CEO

Wilma M. Dourney lived an incredible life as both a successful businesswoman and beloved family member. In 1961, she graduated at the top of her high school class and went on to join the United States Army. After her service, she held several jobs that prepared her to advance her career and become Southeast Regional Sales Manager at Tridon, a Canadian-based auto parts manufacturer in Smyrna, Tennessee. After many years with Tridon, Wilma joined her husband Jack Dourney at ArmRLite Overhead Doors where she served as Vice President of Sales and Marketing of ArmRLite from 1987 until 1991, when Jack retired. Wilma then took the reins as President and CEO. She worked tirelessly until her retirement and will always be remembered for her strong work ethic, love for her faith, and appreciation for beauty in all forms. Wilma’s legacy and impact will continue to live on through those who knew and loved her.

Our History

1948

John Jack Dourney Jr. starts his garage door installation business in West Orange, New Jersey after returning from Japan during WWII.

1958

Jack starts ArmRLite Door Manufacturing to supply doors for his garage door installation business.

1959

A lightweight and low maintenance welded aluminum and glass sectional door is designed by Jack. A knights head is chosen as a logo to symbolize the strength and protection of the door’s welded construction.

1961

Gas station building booms and the demand for ArmRLite doors soars. Manufacturing garage doors becomes the main focus of ArmRLite with Jack Dourney acting as president.

1963

The company adds the Arm-R-Lon fiberglass sectional door to its product offering.

1966

ArmRLite purchases Hudson Door Mfg., a wood sectional door manufacturing company. Aluminum doors remain the primary focus of ArmRLite.

1968

The company moves its manufacturing facility to South Plainfield, NJ.

1971

ArmRLite expands its aluminum door product line by offering larger sizes and diversifying applications.

1973

ArmRLite lands the national account for Jiffy Lube. The relationship extends into the 1980s.

1980

ArmRLite enters the residential and commercial steel door market.

1982

The company begins to offer additional painted finishes in addition to standard anodized finish.

1987

Jack’s wife, Wilma McGrady Dourney, joins ArmRLite as vice president of sales and marketing bringing executive experience in the automotive aftermarket industry.

1988

Shannon McGrady, Wilma’s daughter, joins the family business as a sales representative.

1991

Jack Dourney retires and Wilma takes the reins as president.

1993

ArmRLite begins to sell aluminum and glass doors for high-end residential use.

1997

Jack Dourney receives a Lifetime Honorary Member award from the International Door Association (IDA).

2003

ArmRLite receives a WBE (Women’s Business Enterprise) Certification.

2004

ArmRLite designs an aluminum carriage house door.

2006

The company introduces the Aluminarc, a door with an aluminum top section that conforms for use with arched headers.

2007

ArmRLite introduces the faux wood finish for all of its aluminum door models.

2013

The company invents an ADA compliant no step over pass door. ArmRLite is the only overhead door manufacturer in the industry with such an offering.

2013

ArmRLite introduces a crank-out window option on its aluminum and glass models.

Herstory

Women-Led

Currently, ArmRLite is proud to be a family-owned, women-led company. President Shannon McGrady (daughter of co-founder Wilma McGrady-Dourney) runs the business with her deep knowledge of the industry and her pleasant spirit. ArmRLite is a Women’s Business Enterprise (WBE) certified garage door manufacturer within the states of New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, and North Carolina. Although working with a WBE manufacturer doesn’t guarantee a government contract, having the WBE certification can be a benefit for those projects looking to meet their diversity requirement. Although we manufacture garage doors for buildings, they’re made with people in mind—people who understand that a superior product is made with experience, integrity, trust—and a strong weld.