Pella, Iowa-based Pella Corp. will open a 324,000-square-foot plant to fabricate vinyl windows and doors in Troy, Ohio, where it plans to create 428 jobs by 2025.
Pella officials say the facility, which they bought to become their 17th plant, will help them meet rapidly increasing demand in the eastern region of the U.S.
"Pella has a strong brand presence in the eastern U.S. with several key distribution partners, such as Lowe's Home Improvement, densely located there. We also have many points of light with our own Pella showrooms in the region, and this facility allows us to quickly and efficiently serve those distributors and our customers," Pella spokeswoman Nicolle Picray told Plastics News.
Pella makes vinyl windows and patio doors with different energy efficiency, security and hurricane-resistant features as well as wood, fiberglass and steel windows, patio doors and entry doors.
Vinyl products continue to make up a significant portion of the market demand nationwide, according to Pella officials, who declined to comment on how much money they are investing in Troy.
Founded in 1925, Pella is a family-owned company with more than 150 product and design patents. The business introduced its first vinyl window and door line in 2003 as well as between-the-glass shades to make their products cordless and safer for children.
"We are excited about the growth opportunity that vinyl products represent. This new facility allows Pella to increase our production capacity and shorten lead times for our valued retail and trade customers in the region," Pella CEO Tim Yaggi said in a news release.
The pandemic and resulting state lockdowns and work-from-home options and requirements are contributing to the growth opportunity along with the construction sector.
"Homeowners continue to be interested in investing in their homes, and the construction business is also holding steady," Picray said.
The Troy facility is expected to be fully operational by 2025. The site previously housed a store fulfillment operation, according to a brochure for commercial real estate firm CBRE Inc., which also says 60 percent of U.S. households are within a two-day drive time.
Pella officials say the project was made possible by partnerships that have been supported by Jobs Ohio, the Dayton Development Coalition, the Troy Development Council and the Ohio Development Services Agency.
Troy Mayor Robin Oda said: "The creation of over 400 new jobs in Troy is an amazing thing for our community and our county. We look forward to Pella calling Troy home."
Pella has more than 7,000 employees at the 16 facilities currently in operation.