Pella Corporation navigates recession

Pella Corporate Office

Company realigns, offers voluntary leaves, separates 33 —

PELLA, Iowa — Dec. 2, 2010 — With new construction in the United States down as much as 60 to 70 percent from its peak just a few years ago, Pella Corporation has taken measures to meet current business needs.
For example, Pella offered team members the opportunity to retire or voluntarily leave the company, in return for incentives to do so. In 2010, 198 people opted for retirement or voluntary separations from the company’s workforce through that program.
“The prolonged recession in construction and volatile economy prompted us to realign resources to best serve customers now and in the future,” said Vice President of Human Resources Karin Peterson. The company has also taken numerous measures, including offering temporary unpaid leaves, and holding more online meetings to help reduce travel time and expense.
In addition, Pella Corporation streamlined its organizational structure. Manufacturing operations will now be united under Jim Meyer, who will serve as the company’s Vice President of Operations. Meyer formerly headed the company’s Engineered Technologies Division. Denny Van Zanten, who formerly headed the company’s Heritage Division, will now lead engineering and product development initiatives across the company as Pella Corporation’s Vice President of Product Development and Quality. Each has more than two decades of experience with Pella Corporation, and will remain based in Pella, Iowa.
With projections for the housing economy to remain stagnant for some time, the company also reduced its workforce, separating 33 people from the workforce involuntarily. In addition, another 19 people have been offered the option of taking another job within the company or severance.

“Pella Corporation continues to take measures to keep as many team members at work as possible and keep their benefits in place during the uncertain economy,” Peterson said. “We consider workforce reductions as a last resort and are offering those impacted separation packages and services to assist them in searching for a new career,” Peterson said.

About Pella Corporation
As a privately-held company, Pella is known for its 85-year history of making innovative energy-efficient windows and doors, providing quality service and delivering on customer satisfaction. Headquartered in Pella, Iowa, the company provides careers for about 8,200 team members.

Source: Pella Corporation Press Release