Four Decades As Windsor-Essex’s Exclusive Andersen Windows Dealer
In an industry where companies can appear overnight and disappear just as quickly, longevity matters. In Windsor-Essex and across Chatham-Kent, The Planning Centre has spent four decades doing something increasingly rare in the home improvement world: quietly earning trust, one project at a time.
Known locally as “Andersen Windows,” The Planning Centre is a second-generation, locally owned business that has built its reputation on quality products, disciplined growth, and a customer-for-life mindset. As the company marks 40 years in business, its story is less about rapid expansion and more about consistency—showing up, doing the work properly, and standing behind it long after the installation crews have left.
The Beginning: 1986 and a Leap of Faith
The Planning Centre was founded in 1986 by David Johnson and Marc Rivest at a time when the window and door industry looked very different than it does today. Bigbox retailers were not yet dominant, specialty dealers were few, and homeowners relied heavily on local expertise.
“There was a clear gap in the market,” says Steven Johnson, current owner and second-generation leader of the business. “My dad and Marc saw a need for better products, better information, and better execution.”
The name The Planning Centre was intentional. In the early days, Johnson and Rivest didn’t just sell windows—they helped clients plan entire builds. They reviewed drawings, worked through design considerations, and acted as advisors at a time when homeowners often didn’t have access to architects or designers for every project.
Starting the business required real sacrifice. The founders sold nearly everything they owned to finance their first showroom, located on Tecumseh Road near Banwell. In the company’s earliest years, there was no streamlined shipping infrastructure from Andersen. Windows and doors arrived by rail car, were transported back locally, and assembled inhouse.
“They really ground it out,” Steven Johnson says. “There was no safety net. It was blood, sweat, and tears.”
Aligning with Andersen
From the outset, Johnson and Rivest were deliberate about the products they carried. Rather than chasing volume, they focused on sourcing what they believed were the best built windows available. That search led them to Andersen, already an established name but not yet the household brand it would become.
Today, Andersen is the oldest and largest window and door manufacturer in North America, with more than a century of history. The Planning Centre is the exclusive Andersen Windows dealer in the region, a distinction that carries weight with both homeowners and builders.
But for Steven Johnson, the importance of the Andersen relationship goes beyond name recognition.
“Andersen actually supports its dealers,” he says. “If there’s a manufacturer issue, there’s no fighting, no finger pointing. They stand behind the product, and they stand behind us.”
Andersen is also the only premium North American window manufacturer with Canadian production facilities. Large stacking, folding, and specialty doors for the entire Andersen network are manufactured in nearby Strathroy and in Quebec—an often-overlooked detail that matters to clients concerned about supply chains, quality control, and long-term serviceability.
Rooted in Tecumseh, Recognized Across the Region
For more than 30 years, The Planning Centre has operated from its current location at 4535 County Road 46, just outside Tecumseh. The building itself is modest, but the reach of the work done there extends across Windsor-Essex and into Chatham-Kent. In many neighbourhoods, homeowners recognize the windows long before they recognize the name.
That recognition is intentional. Rather than chasing rapid expansion or multiple locations, The Planning Centre has focused on doing fewer things exceptionally well. Its reputation has been built on an uncompromising commitment to quality, fit, and finish – principles that apply equally to new custom homes, largescale renovations, and single window replacements.
“What we install becomes part of someone’s home for decades,” explains Johnson. “You don’t get a second chance at that.”
That mindset has helped The Planning Centre stand out in a crowded market. While many companies rely on subcontractors and short-term labour, The Planning Centre has invested in consistency, experience, and accountability. Every project is treated as a reflection of the company itself, not just a transaction.
A Business That Grows with Its Customers
Forty years in business means seeing trends come and go. Vinyl windows surge in popularity. Energy standards tighten. Styles shift from traditional to modern and back again. Through it all, The Planning Centre has stayed focused on one thing: matching the right product to the right customer.
Every interaction starts with a conversation.
“You can overwhelm people fast with brands and options,” Johnson says. “So, we talk first. Is this a flip house or a forever home? Where is it located? A subdivision doesn’t have the same weather exposure as a home on Lake Erie.”
That approach allows the company to work across a wide range of budgets and project types. The Planning Centre’s business is roughly split between new construction and full replacement projects, with services focused exclusively on windows and doors.
The product lineup reflects that range. Entry level and midrange vinyl options from brands like Stage and Dashwood, Gentek, and Stage sit alongside composite products and multiple Andersen lines. On the door side, Mastergrain entry systems and Artima allow for high-end designs, including pivot doors and oversized custom entries.
“If customers can dream it or see it, we can usually execute on it,” Johnson says. “From practical replacements to 10foottall pivot doors or 50foot stacking systems—we can do it.”
Seeing the Difference
A key part of that education first philosophy is the showroom itself. Rather than relying on catalogs or selling out of the trunk of a car, The Planning Centre encourages customers to come in, touch the products, and see the differences firsthand.
The showroom features most of what the company sells, allowing homeowners to compare materials, hardware, finishes, and construction quality side by side.
“It’s not about pushing one product,” Johnson explains. “It’s about showing people why one option costs more than another and letting them decide.”
That transparency helps dispel one of the most common misconceptions about the company—that it only serves the high end of the market.
“We’re not the most expensive,” states Johnson. “We can compete with anyone, and in many cases, we’re offering a better built product.”
Built to Last… and Supported to Match
In an industry crowded with vague promises and fine print, warranties are a sensitive subject. The Planning Centre takes a straightforward approach.
Our manufacturer warranties cover glass for up to 20 years and components for 10 to 15 years. On top of that, the company provides a five-year, no questions asked guarantee on installation.
“If something is going to go wrong, it usually happens in the first couple of years as houses settle,” Johnson says. “After that, with what we sell, you don’t see much until year 40.”
That’s not an exaggeration. The company regularly services Andersen windows installed four or five decades ago—often saving homeowners from unnecessary full replacements.
“We’ll have customers come in thinking they need all new windows,” Johnson says. “Sometimes they just need parts. And because it’s Andersen, we can still get them.”
The People Behind the Product
Another defining feature of The Planning Centre is how the work gets done. Unlike many competitors, the company does not subcontract installation.
Installers are employed directly, fully insured, licensed, and experienced. It’s a smaller team by design—one office manager, a sales manager overseeing internal and external sales, and a dedicated installation crew—but it’s a structure that prioritizes accountability.
“We’re small and mighty,” says Johnson. “We try to punch above our weight.”
That family feel extends beyond staffing. Many employees have been with the company for years, contributing to the consistency customers notice from their first call through final installation.
A Second-Generation Steps In
Steven Johnson grew up in the business but didn’t step into ownership right away. After spending 15 years in banking at a senior level, he returned with a long-term plan to buy the company from the original partners—a process that unfolded over nearly a decade.
“Having that outside experience helped,” he says. “It gave me perspective on discipline, planning, and risk.”
Taking over a respected local business came with responsibility. Johnson is careful to credit his father and Rivest for building a foundation strong enough to last.
“They can walk into any function in Windsor-Essex or Chatham-Kent and not have to duck away from anyone,” he says. “That says everything.”
Reputation in a High Stakes Industry
Trust matters in any business, but especially in one where projects routinely range from $5-10,000 to well over $500,000.
“If you’re spending that kind of money, you need to know who you’re dealing with,” Johnson says.
That trust has been built largely through word of mouth. Until recently, The Planning Centre did little formal marketing, relying instead on referrals in a tightly knit region.
For Johnson, reputation isn’t something managed after the fact—it’s built into everyday decision making. That often means slowing projects down, asking harder questions, and in some cases, steering customers away from choices that may not serve them well in the long run.
“We’ll tell people if something doesn’t make sense for their home or their budget,” he says. “Sometimes that means less work for us, but it’s the right thing to do.”
That philosophy extends to how the company handles challenges. Construction projects are complex by nature, and even the best planned jobs can encounter surprises – particularly in older homes. When issues arise, The Planning Centre’s response is intentionally hands on.
“We don’t hide behind contracts or paperwork,” states Johnson. “If something isn’t right, we deal with it. That’s how trust is earned and kept.”
It’s an approach shaped by decades in the field. After forty years, Johnson has seen how quickly reputations can be damaged, and how long they take to rebuild. By prioritizing honesty and accountability, The Planning Centre has positioned itself not just as a supplier, but as a long-term partner for homeowners and builders alike.
“That relationship matters,” explains Johnson. “Because if we do our job right, we’re not just installing windows – we’re becoming part of someone’s home story.”
In the past few years, the company has increased its visibility through social media and advertising, largely to reach newcomers to the area who may not yet know the name.
Forty Years, Quietly Celebrated
The anniversary itself is being marked in typical Planning Centre fashion—without fanfare. The DRIVE Magazine cover feature is part of the recognition, along with continued investment in products, people, and community involvement.
“We operate in a humble way,” states Johnson. “We support the community, but we don’t need to shout about it.”
After 40 years, that restraint may be part of the company’s enduring appeal. In a market crowded with bold claims, The Planning Centre has built its legacy on something simpler: doing what it says it will do and doing it well.
