Andersen To Add 300 Jobs In $45M Expansion
MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) -- America's largest window and door maker is getting even bigger.
Andersen Windows announced Monday a major expansion in Minnesota. The company just opened its newest manufacturing facility in Bayport.
Andersen's CEO says the company will spend $45 million to upgrade its plants in Cottage Grove and North Branch.
He says that investment should result in more than 300 new jobs.
Since the housing market is bouncing back, builders are ordering more windows and doors for new construction, and homeowners are doing more renovation.
That increased demand played a big role in Anderson's decision to expand at three locations and hire more people.
The new Bayport factory will produce a new line of windows and doors called the 100 Series.
"Based upon the growth we're seeing in this product, it is clear that we are going to need this capacity sometime before the end of the year," said Jay Lund, Andersen's CEO and president.
Some 200 of the new jobs will be at the Cottage Grove facility where they make the Renewal By Anderson replacement windows.
The company is adding on to the existing building.
"Our business has grown to the point where we are working three shifts now," said Paul Delahunt, the leader of the Renewal By Andersen division. "We added a third shift last year, so we are a 24-5 operation, making windows basically all day."
More than $2 million in state funding makes Andersen's expansion possible. It's a combination of grants and forgivable loans.
Andersen's CEO says he chose to build more space in Minnesota rather than other states, because of the qualified workforce that's available here.
Gov. Mark Dayton attended Monday's announcement.
"You've once again have shown why Minnesota is the place to live and work and expand a business. It's because of your dedication, your productivity, and your hard work," he said.
A larger North Branch facility will enable Andersen to make more of a product that's used in window and door construction.
"The economy is getting better. People have jobs, the home values are now going up rather than going down, which means people are more apt to invest in their homes," Delahunt said.
As for the types of jobs Andersen will be filling, it's both factory jobs and professional positions.
They range from hourly manufacturing positions to engineering, IT and finance jobs.
Most of them won't be filled until next year though, when the building expansion in Cottage Grove is complete.