A surge in demand for PVC trim has Versatex Building Products LLC increasing its manufacturing capacity at its base in Aliquippa, Pa., and its sales force, too.
A 45,000-square-foot addition is under construction at the company's relatively new flagship facility northwest of Pittsburgh. The factory was just completed in 2008 and has already been the site of three other major capital expansions.
“With residential/light commercial builders, building-material distributors, lumber dealers and architects across the U.S.A. accelerating their demand for our PVC trim products, we believe the time is right for our next plant expansion,” Versatex CEO John Pace said in a June 16 announcement.
When completed later this year, the building addition will house enough extrusion capacity to more than double output and offer lead times of two weeks or less for the growing housing market, Pace added.
The company, formerly known as Wolfpac Technologies Inc., also has launched a search for a “significant number” of new sales representatives to create pull-through demand and convert more trim users to cellular PVC.
Although more expensive than wood — the dominate U.S. trim material — cellular PVC is gaining market share with its ability to mimic wood grains and ease of maintenance. Cellular PVC trim generally comes in white and needs no painting. If color is desired, the trim can be painted and it will hold the hue longer because the material does not absorb water.
Moisture resistance and durability are a couple of the big selling points for cellular PVC trim and moldings, which are the only products Versatex makes. The company offers a 30-year transferable warranty.
“Experience shows that once we expose builders, remodelers and architects to the Versatex value story, they're favorably impressed,” said Rick Kapres, sales and marketing vice president, in a news release.
Veratex will put market development specialists in highly populated geographic areas in the eastern half of the United States.
