Posted by Heidi Schwartz
Andersen Corporation, the window and door manufacturer, has officially opened its newest manufacturing facility in Bayport, MN. The plant will manufacture Andersen® 100 Series products, a line of windows and patio doors first introduced in 2009.
Andersen has been manufacturing windows at its facility in Bayport for more than 100 years. The facility is one of the largest single-site manufacturing plants in Minnesota. As a result of the expansion, the plant will add more than 100 new full-time positions
Additionally, the company has announced the investment of more than $45 million in facilities and equipment in a major expansion of its Cottage Grove and North Branch, MN operations. This marks a second major expansion at these facilities. The combined investment is expected to bring over 300 new jobs to the state of Minnesota.
The Cottage Grove plant was originally built in 1995 in support of the company’s Renewal by Andersen line. The current plant employs approximately 450 workers. The company is now planning on a $38 million expansion of the facility that will create more than 200 new full-time jobs.
Andersen opened the North Branch extrusion operations facility in 2005. This plant provides lineal material for Renewal by Andersen and Andersen 100 Series products. The company invested $7 million in the facility to expand its capacity to support the growth of their products.
“This is an exciting time for Andersen,” said Jay Lund, chairman, president and CEO at Andersen Corporation. “After navigating a historic housing market recession, our markets are beginning to recover and more importantly our investments in innovation and diversification are fueling the growth of our company. I want to thank Gov. Dayton and the state of Minnesota for their support. I also want to thank Greater MSP, our regional economic development partner, for their assistance. While we had many options on where to locate this production facility, there were compelling business reasons to expand in our home state of Minnesota. The support we received from the state made a difference and is greatly appreciated,” said Lund.
“Minnesota has been home to Andersen Corporation for over 100 years,” said Gov. Dayton. “During that time, the company has employed thousands of hard-working Minnesotans. This announcement to expand its Cottage Grove and North Branch facilities builds on the great news today in Bayport. I congratulate Andersen Corporation for its tremendous successes.”
The Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) supported both plant expansions in Minnesota with grants through the Minnesota Investment Fund and the Job Creation Fund. DEED is the state’s principal economic development agency, promoting business recruitment, expansion and retention, workforce development, international trade and community development. The Cottage Grove expansion will receive an award from the Minnesota Investment Fund of $500,000 and $1.5 million from Minnesota Job Creation Fund if the company meets hiring and investment goals.
