Vinyl Kraft expanding, adding jobs for ‘restored citizens'

New Boston, Ohio-based Vinyl Kraft Acquisition LLC will invest $2.25 million and hire 73 employees to keep up with demand for vinyl replacement doors and windows.

The company plans to purchase equipment and automation to double throughput at the facility where it manufactures windows and patio doors for residential and light commercial uses.

Founded in 1991 as Vinyl Kraft Inc., the family-owned business is committed to getting more "restored citizens" on its payroll for the production positions that will be created over the next three years, according to Ryan Rolfe, executive vice president of Vinyl Kraft Window and Door.

Vinyl Kraft currently employs 165, including some who were hired while transitioning from the prison system back to society or recovering from substance abuse.

Rolfe wants to fill all 73 openings with restored citizens.

"We were already doing this. Now we're being more formal about it," Rolfe said in a phone interview about the company collaborating with JobsOhio, the Ohio Department of Development, Scioto County Economic Development Department and Ohio Southeast Economic Development.

The result can be transformational for the person and the company, he added.

"For those who want the opportunity, a second chance, a different kind of relationship develops between the employer and employee. It fosters more of a family atmosphere," Rolfe explained. "They understand their coworkers and supervisors rely on folks to show up every day and do a good job. Having that structure and accountability helps them on their journey and it helps us. There's a level of commitment."

Vinyl Kraft will need it. The company sells about 70 percent of its products for home remodeling and 30 percent for new construction.

"As we see interest rates rise and housing slow down slightly, you'll see remodeling pick up for us," Rolfe said, adding the business ships to 22 states from Ohio with the sales territory roughly bounded by New York, Georgia, Missouri and the Carolinas.

The new jobs will be mostly entry-level positions but having a foot in the door can lead to advancement.

"We typically promote from within to give opportunities to the employees that are here," Rolfe said. "We have several supervisors that have come from rehab and made their way up."

Those supervisors make good role models, he added.

"They can say, 'I've been where you've been. You need the structure. Stick it out and your life can turn around,'" Rolfe said.

Some new hires aren't ready for the transition and drop out, but others become loyal employees at Vinyl Kraft or use the experience as a stepping stone to other work.

Regardless, Rolfe said it's important to company officials to offer someone a second chance.

"We could just make money, but if we can find a way to help people with our business, well, that's why you get up in the morning," Rolfe said.

Vinyl Kraft will receive a $50,000 JobsOhio Workforce Grant to fund worker skills development.

"Vinyl Kraft has been an integral member of the Scioto County economy for more than 30 years and we are excited about this expansion," said Robert Horton, executive director of the Scioto County Economic Development Department. "Vinyl Kraft's commitment to expanding in the county and the additional employment opportunities that will be available as a result of this expansion are excellent news for our entire region."

Vinyl Kraft also was awarded a Job Creation Tax Credit by the Ohio Tax Credit Authority. This credit will grant the company benefits based on the new payroll it creates in Scioto County.

OhioSE President Mike Jacoby lauded Vinyl Kraft for investing in its workforce.

"We applaud Vinyl Kraft for giving employees with histories with substance abuse disorder and other challenges second chances. We believe this is not only a compassionate business practice, but makes good business sense as well. … JobsOhio and the state of Ohio will provide the assistance needed to make this project happen," Jacoby said.