Founded in 1985, Baillargeon employs approximately 120 people at a single facility. The company’s 2011 revenues were approximatley $20 million.

“The acquisition of Baillargeon strengthens our Architectural DoorSystems presence in North America bringing with it a strong brand, deep customer relationships and quality products,” says Chris Virostek, Masonite’s senior vice president of corporate development. “We are excited about the opportunities created by Baillargeon joining the Masonite team.”

“Baillargeon’s presence in Canada is a natural complement to Masonite’s existing architectural door businesses,” says Bruno Baillargeon, president of the Quebec-based company. “We have had a great relationship with Masonite as a supplier for many years, and I am excited for the benefits this combination will bring for our employees and customers.”

Baillargeon will stay on with Masonite for an interim period in a consulting role, to assist in integrating Baillargeon into Masonite. All other members of Baillargeon’s management team will stay with the company.

“The goal of The Pro Expo presented by Pella event is to bring a VIP experience to attendees while reducing their travel time and costs,” explains Jarred Roy, trade marketing manager for the window and door manufacturer. “Professionals network with peers in their own region while learning about new trends and products that will help their businesses succeed during these challenging times.”

Pella partners in the event series include Azek, Daltile, Dow, DuPont, FastenMaster, Ferguson, GE Money, Heat & Glow, Heatilator, Henkel, James Hardie, Kohler, Latricrete, Lutron, MasterBrand Cabinets, OSI, Schluter Systems, Silestone, Sprint, Thermador, USG, Velux and Wellborn. Continuing education and training sessions will be offered in partnership with the National Association of The Remodeling Industry, National Association of Home Builders, American Institute of Architects and Case Institute of Remodeling.

“We want builders, remodelers, contractors, architects and students to know they’re not alone in this unpredictable time,” Roy notes. “We’re inviting them to The Pro Expo presented by Pella events so they can be reenergized about the industry and receive the tools they need to help them succeed.”

Last year, nearly 15,000 builders, remodelers, contractors, architects and students attended Pro Expo events around the country, Pella officials report.  Participants were encouraged to donate money and non-perishable food items to The Salvation Army. This year, Pella is  partnering withHomes for Our Troops—a nonprofit organization committed to helping soldiers who have returned from duty with serious disabilities and injuries. Sponsors and participants will be encouraged to donate time and money to help build specially-adapted homes that provide veterans the ability to live more independently.

More information about the invitation-only events, including dates and locations, is available at www.theproexpo.com.

“The week of December 12 was our busiest week of the year, followed by the week of December 6,” says Andy Shashlo, vice president of operations for the vinyl window manufacturer. “We doubled the manufacturing output of replacement windows from the same time the previous year. And, our California facility had the busiest week since the plant opened in 1995.”

Business stayed strong and steady for Simonton right up until December 23 when operations were shut down for the holidays. “Thanks to our guaranteed seven-day delivery time for custom-made windows, we were able to take new orders and manufacture products right up until the holidays,” says Shashlo. “Our truck fleet was delivering window orders on December 27 and 28. In several cases our Simonton drivers got to the customer locations in very snowy weather…long before the customers themselves were able to get to their facilities!”

The entire Simonton team embraced an “all hands on deck” attitude throughout the entire month of December at facilities in West Virginia, Oklahoma, Illinois and California, officials note. Many management team members, including Mark Savan, Simonton president, worked in the plants to help load trucks and finalize product orders.

“Our customers could–and did–order from us right up until December 22,” says Shashlo. “Many other window manufacturers stopped taking new orders on December 10. However, with our one week delivery proposition our customers were able to take advantage of last-minute sales efforts for windows that met the energy tax credit criteria. By the time we shut down on December 23, we had every order in our system filled and out the door.”

Foresight on the part of Simonton’s management team helped the company fulfill the avalanche of product orders. “We ramped up our operations and hired additional workers starting back in September when we predicted the hard push for the fourth quarter,” Shashlo reports. “Towards the end, our plants were operating seven days a week. Although we anticipated a strong fourth quarter, the month of December’s escalated sales surpassed all our expectations.”

Simonton reports it had all-time production records for replacement products in November and December of 2010.  “This final push for windows qualifying for the energy tax credit continued longer than planned,” Sashlo states. “And, because of our fast turn-around time for production, we were able to see our two busiest weeks of the year–back to back– in the middle of December.”

“It’s been about a year since Therma-Tru integrated the Fypon product lines of urethane and PVC millwork products into our business,” says Dave Randich, Therma-Tru president. “We’re seeing success with this strategic move and strong synergies for our customers. Unifying the Therma-Tru and Fypon products lines under our one roof offers builders, remodelers and consumers a wide variety of entryway solutions that feature low-maintenance exterior products to increase the curb appeal value and beauty of the home.”

The 350,000-square-foot facility in Howe replaces a Therma-Tru warehouse in Angola, Ind., as well as Fypon operations in Archbold, Ohio. Plans are also being established to move the remaining Fypon office functions during 2011 into Therma-Tru’s Maumee, Ohio, and Butler, Indiana, locations.

“Our goal is to make this consolidation as seamless as possible for our associates and customers,” says Randich. “The new distribution facility in Howe will serve as a warehouse for both Therma-Tru and Fypon products, as well as light fabrication of urethane millwork products. Every step we’re taking strengthens our marketplace positioning along with our ability to offer more and better products to our customers.”

	Along with its phone services, the progam offers an array of marketing elements.

The company has previously introduced several successful vanity number marketing programs for a number of industries, including 1-800-CABLE-TV, 1-800-HOMECARE and 1-800-HOSPICE programs. The number 1-800-CABLE-TV and www.1800cabletv.com Web site have become one of the nation’s leading sources for consumers searching for information regarding cable television services and the companies using the vanity phone number have seen a 20 percent or better increase in call volume, Hammerschlag reports.

“Primary Wave Media understands the value of marketing a great vanity number brand,” he continues.”Much like 1-800-FLOWERS changed the flower business, we believe 1-877-WINDOWS can do the same for the window industry. The windows industry is poised for explosive growth as we come out of the recession and consumers will never forget the number. We expect this valuable service to be as successful and useful as 1-800-CABLE-TV, 1-800-HOSPICE and 1-800-HOMECARE and many other of our vanity branded programs.”

Hammerschlag notes that users of Primary Wave’s existing services vary.  Most take the phone number services specifically and “streamline them into their existing programs,” he says, while a smaller proportion take advantage of the broader array of marketing services.

With its latest offering, the company has already attracted some interest from national organizations, but it is primarily targeting local and regional window dealers and remodelers, Hammerschlag notes. “The local, competitive nature of the replacement window business makes it ideal for this type of marketing approach,” he adds.

“We will be relocating to new corporate headquarters more than three times larger than our existing space and doing business in three additional markets in 2011, with additional expansion planned for 2012,” says Jeff Kaliner, Power’s co-founder and CEO. “This expansion will provide more opportunity—both for our current employees and for prospective employees looking for stability, growth and earning potential. This aggressive approach will continue to demonstrate our goal of being the home improvement industry leader and one of the few companies able to continue its growth through a difficult economy,” he continues. “Understanding the significant impact of job creation on our economy, it is gratifying that we are helping to ease the record-high unemployment rates during these tough times.”

Reporting that it is the fourth largest home remodeling company in the country, Power hired more than 300 employees in 2010, and has doubled its workforce since 2007, as it currently has 900 full-time and part-time employees. More than 400 employees will be based at the new 58,000-square-foot state-of-the-art headquarters.

One of Window & Door’s 2009 Dealers of the Year, Power’s attributes its success in part to the 2009-2010 energy efficiency tax credit for homeowners. In 2010, Power installed more than 14,000 sites, saving homeowners an estimated $1,200 per year in energy consumption, it states. The company also added roofing to its portfolio of energy efficient exterior remodeling solutions, which include replacement windows, vinyl siding, entry and garage doors, attic insulation, gutters and guards, and more.

The company officially changed its name at the start of this year, with plans to offer comprehensive remodeling packages to homeowners up and down the East Coast—and across the country moving into the future, it reports. For 2011, Power will expand into three new markets including Long Island, Boston, and Atlanta.

Previously located in Brookhaven, Pa., Power’s new operation will be located within a 400,000 square-foot innovative, mixed-use office and retail project, located adjacent to a 90-acre waterfront site on the Delaware River. The Wharf at Rivertown features the renovation of an existing building regarded as one of Pennsylvania’s most significant architectural and historical structures—formerly the Delaware County Power Plant, it is noted. The project is part of an overall Chester revitalization plan.

In July 2010, Governor Ed Rendell awarded Power a $200,000 Opportunity Grant Program. The grant supports companies establishing a national or regional headquarters to create or preserve a significant number of jobs while offering substantial economic impact within the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. The grant enabled Power to ramp up its hiring efforts in 2010, and supported the company’s financial investment in its new national headquarters. The package also included $100,000 in job training assistance for new hires.

With the opening of its new headquarters, Power has also become a sponsor of The Philadelphia Union Major League Soccer team, which recently opened a waterfront stadium next to the Wharf at Rivertown as part of the overall waterfront revitalization project. The company is also planning a new community relations program called “Power University.” It will involve outreach to local Chester youth, providing them with skills-based business and marketing courses/symposiums, mentorship programs, and various scholarship opportunities.

“Our employees are thrilled to have their ‘home away from home’ on one of the most attractive waterfronts in the country, and we are looking forward to giving back to the local community and contributing to the vibrant success of Chester,” says Adam Kaliner, co-founder and president. “Our corporate headquarters will serve as the ‘hub’ for our customer service efforts and will remain central to our success going forward. This impressive waterfront property will meet all of our needs as we grow and will increase our accessibility to Delaware, New Jersey and Pennsylvania.”

“Our business is innovative software with remarkable service, but MarketSharp is really all about empowering remodelers and home service professionals to reach new levels of success,” states Tim Musch, director of business development. “We’ve found by forming strong synergistic partnerships with world-class companies like Pella, we’re able to enhance their product offerings to their customer base with cutting-edge marketing, sales and management resources.”

“The alliance with MarketSharp is a win-win for Pella and our customers,” adds Jarred Roy, Pella’s national trade marketing manager. “We pride ourselves on providing premier windows and doors for our customers, but our products are only a portion of their business needs. Customers look to us for ways to nurture their ongoing success. With the assistance of MarketSharp’s innovative technology and industry education, we can offer best practice solutions to maximize their success potential and in turn, build stronger customer loyalty.”

The company’s management has been directed to develop detailed separation plans for consideration and final approval by the board. The company expects to complete development of these plans–including the structure, timing, and other related matters for each business–within the next several months.

“We’re excited that Simonton Windows is positioned for continued growth as a market leader in the new Home & Security business that’s being developed,” says Mark Savan, Simonton president. “The new structure will provide us with excellent opportunities for our brand to be a key participant in a stand-alone publicly-traded company purely focused on the home products market.

“While details are still being finalized, we anticipate this exciting development will take place within the next six to nine months,” Savan continues. “During and after the transition we expect no changes in our operations. Every Simonton associate will continue to focus on providing the same top-quality products and services in the future as we offer to our customers today.”

As a business unit, Fortune Brands Home & Security LLC has annual sales exceeding $3 billion, the company reports.  Therma-Tru, officials note, is the #1 entry door brand in the U.S., and Simonton, one of the largest vinyl window producers in the U.S.  Both are said to be “well positioned in the attractive advanced materials segments of their categories.”  The unit’s largest single brand is Moen, said to be the #1 faucet brand in North America. MasterBrand Cabinets, which includes brands such as Aristokraft, Decorá, Diamond, Omega and Kitchen Craft, is said to be the strong #2 cabinet manufacturer in North America. Finally, Master Lock is reported to be world’s #1 brand of padlocks and related security products, while Waterloo is a leading company in the storage and organization products market.

“The premier brands in the current Fortune Brands Home & Security group will serve as the cornerstones of an exceptional new company,” adds Savan. “At Simonton, we’re looking forward to building upon our strong market position as an industry leader. The value and service proposition we provide to our customers nationwide will continue to be our primary focus in the future.”

According to Fortune Brand officials, the home and security business has enhanced its position by playing offense during the downturn and front end of the recovery. The company has created lean and flexible supply chains by both reducing costs and accelerating productivity initiatives. Significant new business wins, excellent customer service and successful new-product innovations have contributed to meaningful market share gains. With this momentum, combined with the company’s supply-chain flexibility and efficient cost structures, the unit will have substantial leverage and upside growth and returns potential as the U.S. housing market recovers, it is said.

Fortune Brands’ spirit business reports $2.5 billion in annual revenue. Its brands include Jim Beam, Maker’s Mark and Knob Creek bourbons; Canadian Club whisky and Laphroaig and Teacher’s Scotch; Sauza, Hornitos and El Tesoro tequila; and Courvoisier cognac.  With annual sales of $1.2 billion,  Fortune Brands’  golf business produces Titleist and Footjoy brand products.

“We are taking the next logical step in the evolution of Fortune Brands, which we believe will maximize long-term value for our shareholders and create exciting opportunities within our businesses,” says Bruce Carbonari, Fortune Brands chairman and CEO. “Today’s announcement is the result of an ongoing strategic review process conducted by the board and management over the past four years that included regular evaluation of separating the businesses at the right time to serve the best interests of our shareholders. While the breadth and balance of our portfolio have served shareholders very well, we see the potential for even greater value by separating our businesses into focused companies at a time when they have emerged from the economic downturn in such strong positions. We believe now is the right time to move ahead with this tax-efficient approach, and we’re confident the course we’ve outlined today generates greater potential long-term value than all other alternatives.”

Carbonaari states that proactive strategic initiatives and targeted investments have enabled each of Fortune Brands’ businesses to emerge from the economic downturn stronger than had been anticipated. “We have tremendous confidence in the future of each of our businesses,” he continues. “These businesses now have the management, infrastructure and growth and returns prospects to flourish apart from one another and build on their solid foundations of premier brands, leading market positions and strong capital structures. This action plan will enable our shareholders to participate in the substantial upside we expect each of these businesses to generate as they compete in attractive consumer categories with excellent long-term fundamentals.”

Masonite is closing Lifetime’s interior door manufacturing facilities in Watseka, Ill.; Easton, Pa.; Hearne, Texas; Los Banos, Calif., and Sacramento, Calif.  It will continue to operate a Lifetime plant in Denmark, S.C., the newspaper reports.

In the case of the Watseka, Ill., plant, Masonite officials told the News Gazette that production is being shifted to its nearby Walkerton, Ind., plant, where the door manufacturer plans to increase the number of employees.