Simonton Windows Puts 402 Employees Back to Work

Simonton Windows®, one of the nation’s leading manufacturers of windows and patio doors, has offered employment back to all hourly employees laid off since late 2008. Due to economic and seasonal market conditions, a total of 402 full-time and seasonal employees have been asked to rejoin the Simonton team at the company’s window and door manufacturing locations throughout West Virginia and Illinois. The company, an operating unit of Fortune Brands, is also looking to hire an additional 55 new employees in those locations.

“Business has picked up this summer, allowing us to return former employees back to work and offer new jobs to more people,” says Mark Savan, president of Simonton Windows. “Part of the business increase relates to seasonal demand for windows that we traditionally see during the second and third quarters of the year.

“However, this year we’re also seeing first-hand that the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 is having a positive impact on window sales," Savan continues. "This homeowner stimulus package is succeeding in motivating consumers to invest in energy-efficient replacement windows and doors to gain a tax credit. Many of our customers nationwide are experiencing positive sales results related to the tax-credit incentive. The stimulative effect of the consumer tax credit means we are in a position to rehire employees in our manufacturing facilities, along with hiring additional seasonal workers during the third quarter.”

Complementing the positive effect of the federal tax credit, Simonton recently introduced Supercept®, an energy-efficient, stainless alloy spacer system that rivals the thermal performance of a foam spacer. The company has also launched Decorum® by Simonton, a collection of popular, designer interior laminates and hardware styling options that are also offered on the company’s products that are guaranteed to qualify for the tax credit.

Savan notes that, while overall business conditions remain very challenging, his company is ahead of the market. “We’re gaining market share during a difficult economic time,” he says. “Our ongoing commitment to producing quality custom-made products with short, reliable lead times, combined with exceptional customer support, has allowed us to outperform our market during these challenging times.”

Employee Callback Numbers

At Simonton’s facility in Paris, Ill., 139 employees were laid off in late 2008 and early 2009. Now each of these employees has been offered their position back, plus the company is actively looking to hire 30 more people.

“The stimulus bill we passed earlier this year has made it possible for companies like Simonton to reopen their doors and put people back to work,” says U.S. Senator Dick Durbin. “With tax credits and incentives for green initiatives, the Recovery Act has recreated a market for energy-efficient materials that had virtually disappeared during the economic downturn. Simonton wasted little time in taking advantage of this new demand, and the company is now able to bring jobs back to Illinois and support our local economy.”

“We have been calling employees back to work on a regular basis during the last four months as business needs increase,” says Andy Shashlo, vice president of operations at Simonton Windows. “While some employees had already located other jobs during the layoff timeframe, a vast majority have now returned to work at our operations.”

In Simonton’s facilities in West Virginia, 263 employees were laid off during late 2008 and early 2009. All employees in good standing have been asked to come back to work, plus the company anticipates filling an additional 25 seasonal positions by the end of September.

“Simonton Windows is a great company and an important employer in our state – I am encouraged by their commitment to rehire workers and offer new and promising opportunities,” says U.S. Senator Jay Rockefeller. “The energy tax credit we included in the Recovery Act was designed to encourage people to make their homes more energy efficient, while also creating new jobs and jump-starting economic growth. Today, with this terrific news, we’re seeing that the stimulative effect of the tax credit is really working in West Virginia – and putting West Virginians back to work.”

ETC Glass Packages

To help homeowners easily identify replacement windows eligible for the energy tax credit, Simonton introduced Energy Tax Credit (ETC) glass packages earlier in 2009. Windows with the ETC glass packages are guaranteed to meet the U.S. government requirements for homeowners to take advantage of up to $1,500 in energy tax credit in 2009 or 2010.

All Simonton products ordered with the ETC glass packages are certified by the National Fenestration Rating Council (NFRC) to meet a U-factor rating of 0.30 or less, and a Solar Heat Gain Coefficient (SHGC) of 0.30 or less. These are the energy ratings stated by the U.S. government that are required for homeowners to take advantage of the energy tax credit.

Competitively priced ETC glass package options are available on select Simonton products and styles, each providing optimal thermal performance and energy efficiency.

The ETC Starter glass package includes a ¾-inch IGU, Intercept® Spacer System, Argon gas fill and ProSolar™ Soft Coat Low E glass.
The ETC Starter 366 glass package includes a ¾-inch IGU, Intercept® Spacer System, Argon gas fill and Lodz-366® glass.
The ETC Super Solar glass package includes a 7/8-inch IGU, Super Spacer® System, Argon gas fill and ProSolar™ Soft Coat Low E glass.
The ETC Super 366 glass package includes a 7/8-inch IGU, Super Spacer System, Argon gas fill and Lodz-366 glass.
The ETC Super Solar SBP glass package for StormBreaker Plus windows includes a one-inch IGU, Super Spacer® System, Argon gas fill and Low E glass on one surface with impact-resistant glass.
The ETC Super 366 SBP glass package for StormBreaker Plus windows includes a one-inch IGU, Super Spacer System, Argon gas fill and Lodz-366 glass on one surface with impact-resistant glass. 

A listing of energy-efficient Simonton replacement products that qualify for the energy tax credit is available here.

Simonton Windows produces ENERGY STAR® qualified replacement and new- construction windows and doors, including a line of impact-resistant products. Simonton was ranked #1 in quality in the 2009, 2007, 2002 and 1998 Brand Use Studies sponsored by Builder magazine, and has won three Best In Class Awards from Market Research Associates.

Founded in 1946, Simonton’s hallmark has been to deliver its made-to-order products in five days or less. Part of the home and hardware business of Fortune Brands, Inc. (NYSE: FO), Simonton delivers award-winning products nationwide to key markets throughout the 48 continental United States.

Simonton is a founding sponsor of The Weather Museum and a supporter of Homes for Our Troops. For information, visit www.simonton.com.