Pella Pressroom : News Releases

Pella Corporation again earns J.D. Power and Associates recognition

Thu, 07 Aug 2008 10:24:00 -0500

PELLA, Iowa – Aug. 7, 2008 – Pella Corporation, recognized as a leader in the window and door industry, has earned a J.D. Power and Associates award for the second year in a row. Pella earned the distinction as “Highest in Customer Satisfaction among Window and Door Manufacturers.”

“We are honored that for a second year in a row consumers recognize Pella’s commitment to providing quality products and outstanding service built around consistent processes,” said Elaine Sagers, Pella vice president of marketing. “The J.D. Power and Associates award is another example of Pella’s ongoing commitment to exceeding customer expectations and creating a better view of home.”

In the independently conducted study by J.D. Power and Associates, consumers were asked to evaluate window and patio door brands on product and service attributes. Study factors included operational performance and features, appearance and design features, ordering and delivery, warranty and replacement, price competitiveness, installation service, overall experience, problem occurrence, and loyalty.

Additional honors
Pella also earned the U.S. Department of Energy’s ENERGY STAR® Partner of the Year award for windows in 2007 and 2008 for its leadership in manufacturing energy-efficient windows and educating consumers about them. And the company is also recognized as a member of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) SmartWay Transport Partnership program.

About Pella Corporation
Pella Corporation is a leader in designing, testing, manufacturing and installing quality windows and doors for new construction and renovation projects. As a family-owned and professionally managed privately-held company, Pella is known for its 83-year history of innovation, making great products, providing quality service and delivering on customer satisfaction.

Headquartered in Pella, Iowa, the company is committed to incorporating new technologies, increasing productivity, and practicing environmental stewardship to create satisfied customers. Providing careers for about 9,800 team members, Pella is recognized as the “Global Top Company for Leaders” in the small-to mid-sized category by FORTUNE magazine.

The company manufactures quality windows, patio doors and entry door systems sold through a Direct Sales Network operating Pella® Window & Door Showrooms across the United States and Canada and select building materials retailers, including Lowe’s®, which features the Pella Design Center, a “store-within-a-store.” For more information, call 888-84-PELLA or visit www.pella.com.

About J.D. Power and Associates
Headquartered in Westlake Village, Calif., J.D. Power and Associates is a global marketing information services firm operating in key business sectors including market research, forecasting, performance improvement, training and customer satisfaction. The firm’s quality and satisfaction measurements are based on responses from millions of consumers annually. For more information on boat ratings, car reviews and ratings, car insurance, health insurance, cell phone ratings, and more, please visit JDPower.com. J.D. Power and Associates is a business unit of The McGraw-Hill Companies.

Pella earned the highest numerical score among window and door manufacturers in the proprietary J.D. Power and Associates 2008 Windows and Patio Doors Satisfaction StudySM. Study based on responses from 2,433 consumers measuring seven brands and measures opinions of consumers who purchased new windows or patio doors in the previous 12 months. Proprietary study results are based on experiences and perceptions of consumers surveyed in March-April 2008. Your experiences may vary. Visit jdpower.com

Mini-marathon Aug. 2 in Knoxville raises dollars for scholars

Wed, 16 Jul 2008 08:56:00 -0500

PELLA, Iowa — July 16, 2008 — Sprint cars won’t be the only thing running in Knoxville, Iowa, Aug. 2, as the local Dollars for Scholars chapter revs up a 1/3 marathon and 4-K run. Open to runners and walkers, the event roars into action at 7:33 a.m. at Knoxville’s Auld Park on Second Street. For the first time, Pella Corporation’s Rolscreen Foundation is presenting the event, in cooperation with sponsors Knoxville Raceway, Marion County 4-H, and other local businesses.

“We invite visiting race fans and area residents to take in the scenery of Knoxville by foot while getting a great workout and raising money for scholarships through this exciting event that will be held rain or shine,” said Knoxville Dollars for Scholars board member Jarred Roy, of Pella Corporation.

Defending Knoxville Raceway 410 Division track champion, “Blackjack” Brian Brown, of Grain Valley, Mo., and Australian Skip “Action” Jackson, who now makes his home in Knoxville, will wave the green flag to start the fun and to cheer participants on to victory, sign autographs, and pose for pictures in the winner’s circle at Auld Park.

There will be entertainment on the course followed by a family oriented festival in Auld Park following the race. The mini-marathon will include jaunts through Knoxville Raceway, and the Marion County Park, packed with race fans in Knoxville for the 18th Annual Advance Auto Parts 360 Nationals Aug. 1-2, and the 48th Annual Superclean Knoxville Nationals, presented by Lucas Oil Aug. 6-9.

How to register
For those who register by July 28, the entry fee is $33 for the 1/3 marathon, spanning 8.67 miles, or $18 for the 4-K event supported by Marion County 4-H. Entries after that point increase to $40 for the mini-marathon and $25 for the 4-K. Registered participants receive a commemorative event shirt, a runner’s “swag bag” with a Pella Windows & Doors water bottle, a runner’s radio from Pella Corporation, a 3-M® gift pack, and a number of other fun items from local and regional companies.

In true racing fashion, the top three finishers in each respective age division will be recognized, and get a chance to pose on camera in victory lane in front of a Knoxville checkered flag.

Last year’s inaugural event attracted about 400 participants. Event planners are expecting even more men, women and children to blaze the trail this year. “Our goal is to raise $5,000 to award scholarships to 10 deserving Knoxville High School Seniors in 2009,” Roy said. “We encourage runners and walkers to register online, by mail, or to stop in at the Swamp Fox ballroom at 116 N. Second in Knoxville the evening of August 1 to pre-register.”

For more information on the event, or to pre-register online visit www.khsdfs.org, or contact Joe Cunningham at Iowa State Savings Bank in Knoxville at joec@issbank.com, or call 641-820-0283. Entries may be mailed to along with checks payable to: Knoxville Dollars for Scholars, Attn. Joe Cunningham, P.O. Box 438, Knoxville, IA 50138.

About Knoxville Dollars for Scholars
The Knoxville Dollars for Scholars chapter was established in 2003 to encourage post-high school education by providing scholarships to graduating Knoxville High School Seniors. The Knoxville chapter is an affiliate of the Citizen's Scholarship Foundation of America, a national, non-profit student and service organization.

About the Pella Rolscreen Foundation
The Pella Rolscreen Foundation contributes to the civic, cultural, educational, social and physical environment of the areas in which Pella Corporation team members reside through gifts to qualifying active, nonprofit, charitable organizations recognized by the Internal Revenue Service as 501(c) (3) organizations whose purpose coincides with this goal.

About Pella
Pella Corporation is a leader in designing, testing, manufacturing and installing quality windows and doors for new construction, remodeling and replacement applications. As a family-owned and professionally managed privately-held company providing careers for about 9,800 team members, Pella is known for its 83-year history of innovation, making great products, providing quality service and delivering on customer satisfaction. Headquartered in Pella, Iowa, the company is committed to incorporating new technologies, increasing productivity, and practicing environmental stewardship to create satisfied customers.
The company manufactures quality windows, patio doors and entry door systems sold through a Direct Sales Network operating Pella® Window & Door Showrooms across the United States and Canada and select building materials retailers, including Lowe’s®, which features the Pella Design Center, a “store-within-a-store.” For more information, call 888-84-PELLA or visit www.pella.com.

Pella earns EPA SmartWay(SM) Transport Partner status

Tue, 24 Jun 2008 10:31:00 -0500

PELLA, Iowa — June 24, 2008 — Pella® Windows & Doors is now recognized as a member of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) SmartWay Transport Partnership program. Pella received the accreditation for its responsible management of transportation partners and private fleet and committing to improve the environmental performance of freight operations.

“This is a natural fit and affiliation for Pella,” said Steve Bowers, corporate logistics manager, Pella. “We have a deep history of being good stewards of the environment. And with our commitment to achieving greenhouse gas reduction goals, we’ll carry on that proud tradition.”

"I am pleased to welcome Pella® Windows & Doors to the SmartWay Transport Partnership," said Margo T. Oge, Director of EPA's Office of Transportation and Air Quality. "We welcome their participation in the SmartWay Partnership and congratulate them on their commitment to improving their freight-related environmental performance and fuel efficiency."

Pella’s goals as a new SmartWay Partner include:
• Seeking and contracting truck loads with SmartWay Partners.
• Communicating to those in the transportation industry Pella’s status as a SmartWay Partner.
• Developing a “no idling” policy for carriers parking at Pella sites.
• Incorporating an internal SmartWay Partner educational program for Pella’s more than 50 logistics employees around the country.

Pella also earned the U.S. Department of Energy’s ENERGY STAR® Partner of the Year award for windows in 2007 and 2008 for its leadership in manufacturing energy-efficient windows and educating consumers about them.

SmartWay Partners
The SmartWay Transport Partnership is an innovative collaboration between EPA and the freight industry to increase energy efficiency while striving to reduce greenhouse gases and air pollution.

Because of three-year commitments to upgrade their trucks with auxiliary power units, energy-efficient tires, enhanced trailer aerodynamics, and other improvements, the EPA estimates SmartWay partners are saving 600 million gallons of diesel fuel ─ a cost benefit of almost $2 billion ─and eliminating nearly seven million metric tons of carbon-dioxide emissions that can contribute to global warming.

EPA launched SmartWay in 2004 to address the environmental and economic challenges surrounding growth in the freight industry. Through the program, EPA is now working with more than 600 businesses to improve both their bottom line and the environment by offering technical assistance, tools for evaluating opportunities to lower fuel use and emissions, and help in locating financing for the purchase of fuel-saving equipment and technology.

About Pella
Pella Corporation is a leader in designing, testing, manufacturing and installing quality windows and doors for new construction and renovation projects. Pella earned the 2007 J.D. Power and Associates award for “Highest in Customer Satisfaction among Window and Door Manufacturers.”
As a family-owned and professionally managed privately-held company, Pella is known for its 83-year history of innovation, making great products, providing quality service and delivering on customer satisfaction. Headquartered in Pella, Iowa, the company is committed to incorporating new technologies, increasing productivity, and practicing environmental stewardship to create satisfied customers. Providing careers for about 9,800 team members, Pella is recognized as the “Global Top Company for Leaders” in the small-to mid-sized category by FORTUNE magazine.
The company manufactures quality windows, patio doors and entry door systems sold through a Direct Sales Network operating Pella® Window & Door Showrooms across the United States and Canada and select building materials retailers, including Lowe’s®, which features the Pella Design Center, a “store-within-a-store.” For more information, call 888-84-PELLA or visit www.pella.com.

Pella's most energy-efficient windows featured in Chicago's Smart Home

Thu, 15 May 2008 11:37:00 -0500

PELLA, Iowa — May 15, 2008 — Proving smart can be beautiful, the Museum of Science and Industry opens its Smart Home: Green + Wired, powered by ComEd and sponsored by Peoples Gas exhibit in Chicago. The three-story modular and sustainable “green” home on the museum’s grounds showcases the ways, big and small, that people can make eco-friendly living a part of their lives — plus highlights unique home technologies for the 21st century. This marks the first time that a museum has built a fully functioning exhibit home of this kind on its grounds.

Featuring Pella® Designer Series® windows throughout, the home combines the best of green environmental practices. Pella’s Designer Series windows and doors include blinds or shades protected between panes of glass and are rated No. 1 for energy efficiency among top national brands.*

“It is my hope the exhibit will educate and raise awareness about the vital importance of sustainable design while inspiring adults and children to make changes in their own homes that lead to healthier, greener living,” said Michelle Kaufmann, AIA, LEED® AP, award-winning Smart Home architect and green living expert. “One of the best parts about this exhibit is returning home to the Midwest to work with the Museum of Science and Industry in Chicago. I first visited the museum in the 8th grade and was inspired by the power of combining architecture and technology.”

Key components
With the help of key participant Wired magazine, the home will incorporate “smart” technologies, with a focus on energy efficiency, making greener choices and homeowner awareness. A home-automation system automates heat, lighting and window coverings to reduce energy consumption. An energy monitoring system will track electricity and water usage on a real-time basis, giving homeowners a direct way to see the resources they're consuming by the hour, day or month.

Pella windows contribute to the smart technology of the home. “Our windows demonstrate how to improve energy efficiency, and help block out the noise of the outside world,” said Ross MacNeill, Pella Windows & Doors, Chicago. “Pella Designer Series windows and doors with triple-glazing and laminated glass can reduce exterior sounds by more than 80 percent.** This is at least double the sound performance of a single-glazed window. By comparison, an eight-inch concrete block reduces sound by 95 percent.”

Exhibit information
The Smart Home is open for tours May 8 through Jan. 4, 2009. Celebrating exciting new directions in sustainable living and spectacular, environmentally-friendly technology, Smart Home: Green + Wired offers guests guided tours of the 2,500 square-foot home and grounds, located in a park on the east side of the Museum. Within the home, guests can view the latest innovations in reusable resources, smart energy consumption, and clean, healthy-living environments in a contemporary setting. Smart Home: Green + Wired, powered by ComEd and warmed by Peoples Gas, is also sponsored by American Honda Motor Co., Inc.; Dominick’s; and the Motorola Foundation as part of the Museum’s 75th Anniversary. Tickets are now on sale at www.msichicago.org.

The Museum of Science and Industry
The Museum of Science and Industry’s mission is to inspire the inventive genius in everyone by presenting captivating and compelling experiences that are real and educational. The Museum first opened its doors in 1933. In 2008—more than 175 million guests later—the Museum commemorates its 75th Anniversary with a year-long celebration. Located at 57th Street and Lake Shore Drive, Chicago, the Museum is open every day of the year except December 25. Regular Museum hours are 9:30 a.m. until 4:00 p.m., Monday through Saturday, and 11:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m. on Sunday. Extended hours, until 5:30 each night, will be offered May 24 through Sept. 1, 2008.

About Pella
Pella Corporation is a leader in designing, testing, manufacturing and installing quality windows and doors for new construction, remodeling and replacement applications. Pella earned the U.S. Department of Energy’s ENERGY STAR® Partner of the Year award for windows in 2007 and 2008 for its leadership in manufacturing energy-efficient windows and educating consumers about them. Pella also earned the 2007 J.D. Power and Associates award for “Highest in Customer Satisfaction among Window and Door Manufacturers.”

As a family-owned and professionally managed privately-held company, Pella is known for its 83-year history of innovation, making great products, providing quality service and delivering on customer satisfaction. Headquartered in Pella, Iowa, the company is committed to incorporating new technologies, increasing productivity, and practicing environmental stewardship to create satisfied customers.

To view Smart Home images visit: http://msismarthome.org

* Pella Designer Series wood windows and patio doors with triple pane glass have superior NFRC U-values and SHGC ratings.
**Computer simulation average compared to single-pane wood windows. Actual results may vary.

Pella Corporation raises $210,213 for juvenile diabetes research

Tue, 06 May 2008 04:06:00 -0500

Pella Corporation, a leader in the window and door industry, earned the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation’s (JDRF) World Achievement Award, presented by the Greater Iowa JDRF Chapter, recognizing the company’s leadership in helping others.

Pella Corporation President and CEO Mel Haught said that Pella team members raised $210,213 in their fifth official year of support for the cause. “We’re especially proud of the Pella Corporation team members in the United States and Canada who together with their friends, families and communities collectively raised more than $1.4 million for diabetes research in just five years,” Haught said.

Haught credits the fundraising success to the dedication of individuals committed to helping find a cure for diabetes.

“We thank the many generous businesses and individuals for the incredible effort they have dedicated to raising millions for diabetes research,” Haught said. “JDRF is one of the most efficient charities around when it comes to using resources responsibly and Pella Corporation is proud to help support their important cause,” Haught said.

Through JDRF, volunteers raise money for research to help find a cure for the disease which affects more than 20 million Americans. Although juvenile diabetics rely on insulin to survive, it is not a cure. Over time, diabetes takes its toll on virtually every organ in the body. The Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF) gives more money directly to diabetes research than any other private health agency in the world.

About diabetes
Diabetes mellitus is a chronic, debilitating disease that affects every organ system and reduces the average life span by 10 to 15 years. Type 1 diabetes — juvenile diabetes — develops when the body’s immune system destroys pancreatic beta cells, which make the hormone that regulates blood sugar.

Diabetes is the leading cause of kidney failure, adult blindness, nerve damage, heart attack, stroke and non-traumatic amputations.

About Pella Corporation
Pella Corporation’s window and door manufacturing facilities are located in the Iowa communities of Pella, Carroll, Shenandoah, and Sioux Center, in addition to manufacturing operations in Columbia, S.C., Fairfield, Ohio, Gettysburg, Pa., Macomb, Ill., Murray, Ky., Portland, Ore., Tucson, Ariz., and Wylie, Texas. EFCO, a Pella Company which manufactures commercial building products, is based in Monett, Mo.

Kansas City builder creates HEALTH HOME�

Wed, 23 Apr 2008 08:30:00 -0500

Just in time for peak allergy and asthma season, Kansas City’s H&S Covenant Homes opens a state-of-the-art, model home designed specifically for asthma and allergy sufferers. Accredited by the American Lung Association® (ALA) and featuring Pella® windows, KC Health Home blends medical science with building science to create a healthier, energy-efficient and environmentally-friendly home.

Located in the Woods at Colton Lake in Overland Park, Kan., KC Health Home demonstrates the benefits of a home designed to specifically combat the growing problem of allergies and asthma aggravated by indoor air pollutants. According to the ALA, 6.8 million children in the United States under the age of 18 have asthma. The chronic lung condition is the third-leading cause of hospitalization among children under age 15.

"It is critically important for people to understand that environmental factors contribute to allergy and asthma,” said Jay Portnoy, M.D., president, American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology and physician at Kansas City’s Children’s Mercy Hospital. “With KC Health Home we now have a wonderful model of how building healthy homes can lead to healthy people."

Better indoor air
“We see a demand for healthier homes growing as prevalence of indoor air pollutants increases,” said Frank Pikus, president, H&S Covenant Homes. “Many researchers blame bad air for the rise in asthma and allergies. This is an opportunity to show consumers the specific elements of a healthy home, to realize that healthy living is really green living as well as a means to lower energy consumption and cost.”

KC Health Home, winner of Custom Home’s 2008 Pacesetter award for its innovative construction, received a 55 home energy rating (HERS) index from ENERGY STAR, which means the home is 45 percent more energy efficient than the HERS reference home. This analysis evaluates energy use by heating, cooling, water heating, lighting, appliances and onsite power generation of the home.

EPA recognition
“In response to rising energy costs, homes today are being built tighter which has resulted in the accumulation of indoor pollutants at levels two – five times of those found outdoors,” said Greg Crable, indoor environments program coordinator, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Kansas City. “The KC Health Home project merges sound building science that not only addresses the energy efficiency of the home, but also the health of the occupants by providing superior indoor air quality.”

Pella provided its signature Designer Series windows throughout the home to help minimize indoor air allergens. Rated number one for energy efficiency among top national brands*, Designer Series windows feature optional blinds, shades or decorative panels protected between panes of glass to eliminate typical dust and dirt accumulation usually rampant on common window treatments. A university study found windows with traditional room-side blinds collected 200 times more of certain indoor airborne allergens than Pella Designer Series products.**

Home tour in May
May is National Asthma and Allergy Awareness Month. H&S Covenant Homes is one of just a handful of custom home builders in the United States to earn the designation as an America Lung Association Health House builder. KC Health Home will be open for public tours May 4 – 18, during the Kansas City Home Builders Association 2008 Spring Homes Tour.

Key health components of the home include:
• all concrete exterior construction — insulated concrete form (ICF)
• energy-efficient, high performance Pella Designer Series® windows
• Bluwood® construction –lumber treated with technology called Perfect Barrier System, protecting against fungal and termite infestation
• complete radon mitigation system― designed to help reduce levels of radon gas, commonly found in soil, which can enter homes, posing potential health hazards
• moisture control system
• full waterproofing of the home’s foundation
• advanced insulation techniques (Icynene® spray foam)
• high efficiency air filtration and ventilation system
• Aura® low-VOC (volatile organic compounds) interior paint and water-based stains
• no formaldehyde-added cabinetry
• central vacuum system with HEPA (high efficiency particulate air) filter

About H&S Covenant Homes
H&S Covenant Homes specializes in the creation of luxury custom homes valued from $350,000 to over $2 million. For more than two decades, the company has been creating new and innovative dream homes. Based in Overland Park, Kan., and serving the greater Kansas City metro area, H&S Covenant Homes is also the exclusive custom homebuilder of the Woman-Centric home. Partnering with Design Basics®, one of America’s premier design firms, H&S Covenant creates home plans that embody specific features that appeal to women. The Woman-Centric model emphasizes a home’s entertaining areas, flexible living space, storage space, and de-stressing areas. Many of its custom-home designs showcase these concepts.

About Pella
Pella Corporation is a leader in designing, testing, manufacturing and installing quality windows and doors for new construction, remodeling and replacement applications. Pella earned the U.S. Department of Energy’s ENERGY STAR® Partner of the Year award for windows in 2007 and 2008 for its leadership in manufacturing energy-efficient windows and educating consumers about them. Pella also earned the 2007 J.D. Power and Associates award for “Highest in Customer Satisfaction among Window and Door Manufacturers.”

* Pella Designer Series wood windows and patio doors with triple pane glass have superior NFRC U-values and SHGC ratings.
** Based on data from research conducted by the Department of Occupational and Environmental Health at the University of Iowa.

Pella organizations plan 2008 Earth Day Event at Vermeer

Mon, 14 Apr 2008 01:49:00 -0500

Pella Corporation, the City of Pella Public Works, and Vermeer Corporation have partnered to offer electronic recycling (eCycling), household hazardous waste disposal, and mulch pick-up, all free of charge in honor of Earth Day 2008. The event is available to Marion County residents and employees of the participating companies. It will take place on April 19, 2008, from 9 a.m., to noon at the Vermeer parking lot in Pella, behind Plant 4.

Pella Corporation and Vermeer have also partnered with Mahaska Communication Group (MCG) for the 2008 Earth Day eCycling Event. MCG will be accepting electronics for eCycling on April 19, 2008, in Oskaloosa, IA, for all Mahaska County residents. This event will be in the Musco parking lot south of Hy-Vee (by the basketball courts) from 8 a.m. to noon.

Participating businesses and organizations planned the Earth Day event to raise awareness for the need to safely recycle obsolete electronics and to provide a means for local residents to help protect the environment and easily participate in community “green” efforts.

A wide variety of electronics and more will be accepted.
Participants may bring their electronic items to a drop-off point at Vermeer, entering at the Plant 4 driveway. In addition, this site will serve as a household hazardous waste drop off and place to pick up wood mulch.

Electronic devices accepted for recycling include computers, computer monitors, hard drives, computer keyboards, televisions, VCRs, stereos, computer printers, video game systems, and cell phones. A total of three computer monitors or televisions may be dropped off. Donations will be accepted to support local causes. (Cell phones or electronic devices other than computer monitors or televisions will not count as part of the three item limit for recycling through this event.)

Recycling efforts provided at minimum to no cost to participants.
The collection and recycling of items being collected will be provided free of charge. Funding for this annual event is provided by these environmentally conscious companies of Pella Corporation, Vermeer, and MCG.

A safe way to dispose of electronics and cell phones
Following the eCycling event, the sponsors, in partnership with Midwest Electronic Recovery of Walford, Iowa, will process and document the various types of electronics and cell phones to ensure items collected are safely recycled.

Midwest Electronic Recovery provides a safe, viable place to dispose old electronic technology while protecting the environment. This process reduces the risk of identity theft, as well as the protection of highly sensitive information stored on an electronic device. Items are safely recycled in accordance with applicable U.S. environmental regulations.

The eCycling Event is an extension of a successful electronic recycling program established by Pella Corporation approximately 10 years ago. Both Pella Corporation and Vermeer have embraced the challenges of environmental stewardship with comprehensive programs that maximize recycling opportunities, minimize waste and pollution, reduce consumption, and employ the latest waste management and recycling strategies to help ensure that products manufactured by each firm are made to last.

For more information on Pella’s eCycling Day, please call Don Argo at Pella Corporation at 641-621-6585 or Teri Vos at Vermeer at 641-621-7908.

The three previous eCycling events were a resounding success collecting nearly 2,200 items with a combined weight of 65,626 pounds of electronic waste and over 800 homes participating. Among the items collected were computer monitors, personal computers, televisions, printers, scanners, and laptops.

About Pella Corporation
Pella Corporation is a leader in designing, testing, manufacturing and installing quality windows and doors for new construction, remodeling and replacement applications. Pella earned the U.S. Department of Energy’s ENERGY STAR® Partner of the Year award for windows in 2007 and 2008 for its leadership in manufacturing energy-efficient windows and educating consumers about them.

Providing careers for about 9,800 team members, the company manufactures quality windows, patio doors and entry door systems sold through a Direct Sales Network operating Pella® Window & Door Showrooms across the United States and Canada and select building materials retailers, including Lowe’s®, which features the Pella Design CenterSM, a “store-within-a-store.” For more information, call 888-84-PELLA or visit www.pella.com.

About Vermeer Corporation
Vermeer is a leading manufacturer of industrial and agricultural equipment, known for its innovation and market solutions. The company distributes more than 160 products globally from seven production facilities and offices totaling 1.5 million square feet, and features the premiere Global Pavilion training center and museum. Founded in 1948, the company serves the construction, landscaping, environmental, excavation and forage markets. Vermeer holds more than 115 product and design patents within its full line of utility and track trenchers, directional boring systems, tub grinders, tree equipment and hay harvesting products.

Vermeer products and solutions are backed by a worldwide sales and support network of independent Vermeer industrial and agricultural equipment dealers. In addition, Vermeer is dedicated to maintaining a safe, healthful and clean environment. It is their vision to achieve environmental, health and safety excellence through continuous improvement of infrastructure, systems, and development of people. For more information, visit www.Vermeer.com.

About City of Pella Public Works
The City of Pella Public Works Department is responsible for providing a variety of services and managing important infrastructure in the community. The Department consists of the Streets/Storm Sewer, Water, Wastewater, GIS, and Airport Divisions. The Streets Division maintains over 58 miles of streets, seven miles of allies and 16 miles of storm sewer. The Water Division is responsible for the water treatment plant operations and over 77 miles of water lines. The Wastewater Division is responsible for plant operations and over 74 miles of sewer lines. For more information on the Public Works Department please call 641-628-1601 or visit www.cityofpella.com.

Keep children safer with window safety practices

Mon, 14 Apr 2008 11:01:00 -0500

As outdoor temperatures rise and consumers open windows to bring in fresh air, it’s time to practice window safety — especially when children are present. Nearly 5,000 children are treated in U.S. hospital emergency departments each year for injuries sustained from falling out windows, according to the Safe Kids Worldwide® campaign. To help promote greater safety, Pella Corporation has partnered with the National Safety Council, through its Window Safety Task Force, to observe National Safety Week April 20-26.

“Familiarize yourself with the facts about window safety to help protect your loved ones,” said Kathy Krafka Harkema, Pella’s window safety spokesperson and a member of the Window Safety Task Force. “When it comes to safety, there’s no substitute for proper adult supervision when young children are in the home — especially around open windows or doors.”

Pella offers these important tips to help enhance home safety:

1. Keep children's play away from windows, doors and balconies to help prevent an accidental fall or injury.

2. Keep windows closed and locked when not in use. When opening windows for ventilation, open those that a child cannot reach, like the upper sash on a double-hung window.

3. Keep furniture like beds and dressers away from windows. Furniture placed under a window can create an enticement to climb and the potential to fall.

4. Windows provide a secondary means of escape from a burning home. For greater safety, establish your family's emergency escape plan and practice it regularly.

5. When performing repairs or cleaning, make sure windows and doors are not jammed, painted or nailed shut, so they can open for a quick escape in an emergency. If they don’t, consider replacement, because windows and doors can be replaced; lives can’t.

6. Choosing windows that tilt in for cleaning for greater ease and potential safety, to eliminate the need to climb an exterior ladder.

7. If you are adding window guards or window fall prevention devices, properly install approved guards that meet American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) standards, and feature a quick-release mechanism.

8. If you live in an area subject to hurricanes, consider impact-resistant glass for windows and patio doors to help provide year-round protection from winds, rain and flying debris.

9. Window treatments with traditional cords can contribute to childhood injuries. For added protection, choose blinds and shades with no room-side cords like Pella’s Designer Series® windows and patio doors, which feature blinds, shades or decorative panels between glass.

Additional window safety tips are available year-round at: www.nsc.org/aware/window/.

In addition to efforts to promote the importance of window safety, Pella’s Close the door on fire! campaign spreads important home fire safety awareness across the United States and Canada.

About Pella
Pella Corporation is a leader in designing, testing, manufacturing and installing quality windows and doors for new construction, remodeling and replacement applications. Pella earned the U.S. Department of Energy’s ENERGY STAR® Partner of the Year award for windows in 2007 and 2008 for its leadership in manufacturing energy-efficient windows and educating consumers about them.

Equity protection sets in for U.S. homeowners (multimedia version)

Thu, 10 Apr 2008 09:20:00 -0500

Homeowners are taking action this spring to help protect their home equity with practical remodeling projects.
Renovations that increase satisfaction with their favorite rooms and incorporate energy-efficient products will help owners reap multiple benefits.
According to Remodeling Magazine, window replacement typically delivers an 80 percent recoupment value.*
A recent nationwide study conducted by Kelton Research finds window replacement a more popular option to meet the needs of energy-conscious American homeowners.
Knowing that many will stretch their remodeling budgets and manage most of the project themselves, Pella® Windows & Doors launched a new Web site to help novice window installers. PellaReplacement.com guides homeowners through the process with installation demos, and tips for installation.
Pella products will be displayed in the Woman’s Day Special Interest Publication (SIP) exhibit # 4690, in the South Hall at the Kitchen/Bath Industry Show in Chicago April 11 – 13.

Equity protection sets in for U.S. homeowners (text version)

Thu, 10 Apr 2008 09:04:00 -0500

Should we pull the ‘for sale’ sign out of the yard? What’s the best way to use the economic stimulus money this spring? How might a recession affect our home value? Some homeowners in the market for change are turning to remodeling — including window replacement ― as an attractive alternative to selling their current home.

Economic uncertainty has some U.S. consumers resembling a deer in headlights. However, others are taking action to enhance their home equity with practical remodeling projects. Renovations that increase satisfaction with favorite rooms and incorporate energy-efficient products will help homeowners reap multiple benefits. According to Remodeling Magazine, window replacement often returns an 80 percent recoupment value.*

“Today, a sense of home improvement practicality prevails as the focus for homeowners is often on improving energy efficiency,” said Annette Bravard, vice president, Retail Replacement, Pella® Windows & Doors. “As utility rates rise, Americans are balancing the desire to make their bathroom or kitchen more pleasing, with the need to reduce the costs of operating their home. That’s why installing beautiful energy-efficient new windows and doors is a smart move for any part of the home in today’s market.”

In green we trust
A recent nationwide study conducted by Kelton Research finds window replacement a more popular option to meet owner needs. Some key findings include:

A majority of American homeowners (51 percent) said their windows are not energy efficient or ‘green’ enough.
More than half of Americans (51 percent) said that windows offer the most potential when it comes to energy efficiency as compared to other products like insulation and heating systems.
65 percent or two out of three homeowners believe that energy efficiency is the most important quality to consider when choosing new windows.
Nearly half (49 percent) reported their utility bills actually went down after their last window replacement project.

“We understand energy efficiency is critical when choosing new windows and doors,” Bravard said. “At Pella, we continuously look for innovative ways to enhance the quality and energy-efficient of our products, as well as the entire replacement experience.”

As a 2007 and 2008 ENERGY STAR® Partner of the Year in the windows category, Pella products, like the Pella Designer Series® triple-pane windows and sliding patio doors, rated number one for energy efficiency, can help reduce monthly bills.

New window replacement resource
Just in time for spring projects, Pella has launched a new Web site devoted to window replacement. PellaReplacement.com helps homeowners better understand the entire installation process. Guided by an interactive host, visitors use a selector tool to help choose the right products for their living space, view installation videos and read other installation stories for inspiration.

“Some homeowners will opt for Pella’s team to replace windows and doors to take the work out of remodeling and replacement jobs for them. Others may decide to maximize remodeling budgets by doing the installation themselves,” said Bravard. “Either way, local Pella sales experts and PellaReplacement.com will help guide them through the entire process.”

About Pella
Pella Corporation is a leader in designing, testing, manufacturing and installing quality windows and doors for new construction, remodeling and replacement applications. Pella earned the 2007 J.D. Power and Associates award for “Highest in Customer Satisfaction among Window and Door Manufacturers.”

*Recoupment value means that you should expect to receive up to 80% of the amount you invested into the project when you sell the home.

More Americans opt for practical home improvements

Wed, 26 Mar 2008 10:14:00 -0500

This spring’s home improvement trend is not the hottest paint color or the newest counter top surface, it’s practicality with a capital P. Studies conducted by Kelton Research found that during these tough economic times, Americans are opting for home improvement projects that work to add value to their home and add to their monthly savings. The research indicates that over two in five (44%) homeowners surveyed said that if presented with the free services of a contractor, window replacement would be more important than a variety of popular home improvements like remodeling the kitchen, installing new carpeting, landscaping the yard or building a new deck.

“A majority of American homeowners (51 percent) said their windows aren’t ‘green’ or energy-efficient enough,” said Elaine Sagers, vice president of marketing, Pella® Windows & Doors. “That fact combined with this new sense of practicality about home improvement projects tells us that many consumers are truly looking for ways to reduce how much their house actually costs them in monthly bills and upkeep.”

In the study, over half (51 percent) of Americans said that of anything in their home windows offer the most potential when it comes to energy efficiency — even more than other products including lights (48 percent), insulation (48 percent) and heating systems (43 percent).

Green is taking root
Nearly two out of three (65 percent) homeowners believe that energy efficiency is the most important quality to consider when choosing new windows. The virtues of ‘green’ energy-efficient windows easily won out over other qualities like durability, safety, ease of use, soundproofing and clarity.

“We have long recognized the priority homeowners, builders, and contractors and architects put on energy efficiency when it comes to choosing windows and doors, said Rob Jablonski, Pella’s vice president of engineering whose team is focused on designing and testing innovative energy-efficient solutions. “That’s why innovation and the environment are so important at Pella. We are continuously striving for ways to make Pella windows and doors the best they can be in terms of quality and energy efficiency.”

Pella’s history of quality and innovation is evident in the many awards it has earned. For example, Pella was named a 2007 ENERGY STAR® Partner of the Year in the windows category. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and Department of Energy (DOE) commended Pella for its industry leadership in reducing greenhouse gas emissions by manufacturing and educating consumers about energy-efficient products.

Replacement anxiety
Despite many Americans’ worries about energy efficiency, drafts and other issues, some homeowners are still reluctant to initiate a window replacement project.

More than four in 10 (44 percent) said that suddenly coming into some money like winning the lottery or landing an inheritance would motivate them to replace at least one window in their home. Yet among those who have experienced a window replacement project in their home, 60 percent said the entire project cost about what was expected or even less.

Other concerns about replacement included the perception that the process seems too daunting, that it’s too time intensive and not knowing where to go for help. Contrasting that among the recent replacers, nearly half (45 percent) of homeowners who hired a professional to replace their windows noted the quality of the installer’s service was better than expected.

Right frame of mind
Despite the dread of ripping into home improvement projects for many people, two-thirds of homeowners surveyed agree it’s not okay to delay window replacement.

And, after all was said and done, among those who did replace, their energy efficiency priorities were met as savings, style and comfort added up. Almost half (49 percent) reported their utility bills actually went down after their last window replacement project. They also found their homes more comfortable (48 percent), more valuable (38 percent) and their new windows aesthetically more pleasing (48 percent).

Chicago features writer Lou Carlozo’s window replacement experience is a prime example of a painless replacement project. Carlozo recently replaced the windows in his 1920s Victorian bungalow home just a few miles from Wrigley Field on Chicago’s North Side.

One month after having six new Pella wood windows installed in his home Carlozo says, “the glow has hardly faded from our new windows. My wife Amy and I feel like we’ve made the right move to protect, beautify and conserve energy.”

“The windows look incredibly beautiful and our old house looks like it has a new life,” said Amy.

About Pella
Pella Corporation is a leader in designing, testing, manufacturing and installing quality windows and doors for new construction, remodeling and replacement applications. Pella earned the U.S. Department of Energy’s ENERGY STAR® Partner of the Year award for windows in 2007 for its leadership in manufacturing energy-efficient windows and educating consumers about them. Pella also earned the 2007 J.D. Power and Associates award for “Highest in Customer Satisfaction among Window and Door Manufacturers.”

Methodology notes
The Pella Windows & Doors Survey was conducted by Kelton Research between Jan. 10-16, 2008, using e-mail invitation and online survey. Quotas were set to ensure reliable and accurate representation of the total U.S. population of homeowners ages 18 and above.

Results of any sample are subject to sampling variation. The magnitude of variation is measurable, affected by the number of interviews and level of percentages expressing the results.

In this particular study, the chances are 95 in 100 that a survey result does not vary, plus or minus, by more than 3 percentage points from the result that would be obtained if interviews had been conducted with all persons in the universe represented by the sample.

�Extreme Makeover: Home Edition� to feature Pella� products

Thu, 06 Mar 2008 10:03:00 -0600

The Sunday, March 9, episode of ABC television network’s “Extreme Makeover: Home Edition” will include products manufactured and donated by Pella Corporation. The episode will air at 8 p.m. Eastern/7 p.m. Central on ABC-TV.

The makeover in Fairmont, W. Va., marks the 19th time Pella windows and doors have been featured on the series to help complete the new construction of a home for a deserving family or organization. Pella products manufactured in Pella and Carroll, Iowa, and Fairfield, Ohio, were included in the new home built for this episode.

“The Pella team was honored to help this special family by teaming up with ‘Extreme Makeover: Home Edition,’ to build this home on an extremely challenging job site,” said Kathy Krafka Harkema, Pella Corporation spokesperson. “The innovative quality of Pella’s windows and doors makes them a natural fit for these projects. We thank the Pella Window & Door team in Pittsburgh, Pa. who put their more than 300 years of collective experience to work to professionally install products in challenging weather, and our corporate team who helped create better views for this deserving family.”

Each episode features a race against time on a project that would normally take at least four months to achieve, involving a team of designers, contractors and several hundred workers who have just seven days to completely renovate an entire house plus the exterior and landscaping. Viewers see the transformation of the house and the reactions and emotions of the deserving homeowners.

Past episodes 
Pella products were included on 18 previous episodes of “Extreme Makeover: Home Edition,” providing new or renovated homes for deserving families in the California cities of Los Angeles, Martinez and Penngrove and the New Jersey cities of Bergenfield and Irvington. In addition, Pella has provided windows and doors for homes featured on the show in: Billings, Mont., Alma, Ark., near New Orleans, La., St. Petersburg, Fla., Clarksville, Tenn., Bountiful, Utah, Purdy, Mo., Biloxi, Miss., Berry, Ky., Minot, N.D., Gladbrook, Iowa, Kansas City, Mo. and Albany, N.Y.

About “Extreme Makeover: Home Edition” 
"Extreme Makeover: Home Edition," which has won back-to-back Emmy Awards as Best Reality Program (non-competitive), is in its 5th season on ABC. The program is produced by Endemol USA, a division of Endemol Holding. Denise Cramsey is the executive producer; and David Goldberg is the president of Endemol USA.

About Pella  
Pella Corporation is a leader in designing, testing, manufacturing and installing quality windows and doors for new construction, remodeling and replacement applications. Pella earned the U.S. Department of Energy’s ENERGY STAR® Partner of the Year award for windows in 2007and 2008 for its leadership in manufacturing energy-efficient windows and educating consumers about them. Pella also earned the 2007 J.D. Power and Associates award for “Highest in Customer Satisfaction among Window and Door Manufacturers.”

Pella Corporation again earns distinguished energy efficiency recognition

Tue, 04 Mar 2008 08:00:00 -0600

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and Department of Energy (DOE) have named Pella Corporation as a 2008 ENERGY STAR Partner of the Year award winner for the Product Manufacturer—Windows category for Pella’s outstanding contribution to reducing greenhouse gas emissions by manufacturing and educating consumers about energy-efficient products. This is the second consecutive year Pella has received this recognition. Pella’s accomplishments will be recognized at an April 1 awards ceremony in Washington, D.C.

Pella, an ENERGY STAR partner since 1999, will be honored for its leadership in manufacturing products that earn the ENERGY STAR, the government-backed symbol of energy efficiency. This distinction honors Pella’s commitment to providing highly energy-efficient products, as well as the company’s comprehensive integration of ENERGY STAR information in media relations, consumer education programs, advertising, Pella Web sites and training materials.

Last year alone the government estimated that Americans, with the help of ENERGY STAR, saved a reported $16 billion on their energy bills alone and reduced greenhouse gas emissions equivalent to those of 27 million vehicles.

“Pella has been committed to environmental stewardship and providing quality product solutions to our customers throughout the company’s 83-year history,” said Elaine Sagers, vice president of marketing for the privately-held company known for quality and innovation. “Pella is proud to be recognized by the Environmental Protection Agency and the Department of Energy for providing ‘green’ energy-efficient products that help customers save money and conserve valuable natural resources.”

The 2008 Partner of the Year Awards are given to manufacturers and retailers that successfully promote and deliver ENERGY STAR-qualified products, saving consumers money and reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Award winners are selected from more than 9,000 organizations that participate in the ENERGY STAR program.

“By producing and promoting products that have earned the ENERGY STAR, Pella Corporation is educating consumers about the importance of energy efficiency,” said Robert J. Meyers, principal deputy assistant administrator for EPA’s office of Air & Radiation. “Pella’s efforts in manufacturing products that earn the ENERGY STAR make them a leader in demonstrating that consumers can enjoy quality products that also protect the environment.”

This is the second time Pella Corporation has received this recognition. In 2007, Pella earned the ENERGY STAR Partner of the Year award for windows as a result of its leadership in manufacturing energy-efficient windows and educating consumers about them.

About Pella Corporation
Pella Corporation is a leader in designing, testing, manufacturing and installing quality windows and doors for new construction, remodeling and replacement applications.

Providing careers for about 9,800 team members, the company manufactures quality windows, patio doors and entry door systems sold through a Direct Sales Network operating Pella® Window & Door Showrooms across the United States and Canada and select building materials retailers, including Lowe’s,® which features the Pella Design CenterSM, a “store-within-a-store.” For more information, call 888-84-PELLA or visit www.pella.com.

About ENERGY STAR
ENERGY STAR was introduced by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency in 1992 as a voluntary market-based partnership to reduce greenhouse gas emissions through increased energy efficiency. Today, in partnership with the U.S. Department of Energy, the program offers businesses and consumers energy-efficient solutions to save energy, money and help protect the environment for future generations. More than 9,000 organizations are ENERGY STAR partners committed to improving the energy efficiency of products, homes and businesses. For more information about ENERGY STAR, visit www.energystar.gov or call toll-free 1-888-STAR-YES (1-888-782-7937).

Pella� introduces stunning new wood entry doors

Wed, 13 Feb 2008 10:55:00 -0600

For those who enjoy the finest things in life, Pella’s new wood entry doors satisfy the appetite for luxurious beauty.

“The natural appeal of wood combined with the expansive new dramatic styles, sizes and shapes expertly crafted from wood by Pella team members help create better views in today’s homes and businesses,” said Davis Rowe, Pella entry systems brand marketing manager.

Made of the finest quality woods including Mahogany, Rustic Walnut, American White Oak and Cherry, Pella wood entry doors feature the look and feel you'd expect to find in fine wood furniture. The new signature collection of doors combines exceptional design and construction with popular patterned and beautiful beveled insulated glass, and majestic metal caming in shades from satin nickel to breathtaking black to classic copper tones. In addition, forged iron accents, and unique, decorative hardware in a variety of options help create a striking first impression from the moment you set your hands and eyes on a Pella entry door.

Wonders of wood
Distinctive, high-quality wood doors add to the appearance of homes and businesses. They also convey a feeling of warmth, hospitality, and genuine pride of ownership. A wood entryway can even add to the potential value and curb appeal of a property.

And when it comes to working with wood, Pella takes pride in its heritage. “As an industry leader committed to environmental stewardship since we were founded 83 years ago, Pella strives to use resources responsibly and purchases materials from certified suppliers,” Rowe said.

“Since Pella’s entry doors are designed, tested and expertly crafted with precision, you can expect years of performance in addition to the added good looks each door provides,” said Rowe. “And the real beauty of doing business with Pella is now you can get a variety of types and styles of doors in wood, fiberglass or steel — in addition to quality windows ― from a single supplier who’s there to provide service after the sale, should you ever need it,” Rowe said.

About Pella
Pella Corporation is a leader in designing, testing, manufacturing and installing quality windows and doors for new construction, remodeling and replacement applications. Pella earned the U.S. Department of Energy’s ENERGY STAR® Partner of the Year award for windows in 2007 for its leadership in manufacturing energy-efficient windows and educating consumers about them.

The company manufactures quality windows, patio doors and entry door systems sold through a Direct Sales Network operating Pella® Window & Door Showrooms across the United States and Canada and select building materials retailers, including Lowe’s,® which features the Pella Design CenterSM, a “store-within-a-store.” For more information, call 888-84-PELLA or visit www.pella.com.

Pella� creates better views with trend-setters

Wed, 13 Feb 2008 10:48:00 -0600

“Have nothing in your houses which you do not know to be useful or believe to be beautiful.”
William Morris, 1880

The quote by Arts and Crafts movement leader William Morris lives on today in Pella Corporation’s breathtaking new collection of wood entry doors combining classic craftsmanship with timeless natural beauty and reliable function. Ranging in style from classic Arts and Crafts looks to rugged, rustic or refined options with finishes like fine furniture, Pella’s new wood selection includes Mahogany, Rustic Walnut, American White Oak and Cherry to complement a wealth of home designs for new construction, as well as remodeling and replacement applications.

“Pella’s dramatic new wood doors, crafted with superior quality, create a style-defining statement to create a better view for virtually any home from both the interior and the all-important exterior,” said Davis Rowe, Pella entry systems brand marketing manager. “The distinctive characteristic about wood doors ― in particular the Rustic Walnut — is that no two doors are alike because the rich grain and distressed beauty marks add natural character to the impression every unique door creates.”

Helping builders create better views

Builders and homeowners agree. “It’s a beautiful door; our customers love it,” said Jeff Muellner, owner of Muellner Construction in Chicago. Muellner recently installed Pella’s new walnut door on a Tuscan-style home in the Naperville area. “The homeowners knew they wanted a wood door to soften the entrance and make it feel more inviting. The Pella door was competitively-priced and we even ordered a custom size; the whole process was easy.”

"Pella team members dedicate themselves to creating better views for architects, builders, remodelers, replacement contractors, and installers with window and door innovations built to withstand the demands and design preferences of today's busy home and business owners, all backed with the quality service you expect from an industry leader," said Vice President of Marketing Elaine Sagers.

Other Pella product highlights featured at the 2008 International Builders’ Show (IBS) in Orlando include:

Beautiful wood windows enhance views

As modern design trends migrate to natural materials, Pella’s wood window brands offer versatility in product options, while maintaining energy-efficient values. From classic to contemporary styles and shapes, to grilles, blinds, shades or decorative panels between the panes of glass, Pella wood windows are designed to accent a variety of home designs and home improvement budgets.

Pella ProLine® wood windows provide style and value with an array of eight exterior cladding colors and a variety of grille types and patterns. Pella Designer Series® are the innovative gem in the wood window collection with signature options between the panes of glass. Choose from 10 blind or 15 shade colors or an array of decorative panels for a unique style statement. Pella Architect Series® wood windows feature a variety of woods, styles and shapes to fit the most popular home designs of today and yesteryear. Architect Series profiles and grille options range from traditional to modern to make this distinctive collection of wood windows truly extraordinary.

Wood treatment adds protection

Now the true beauty of wood is more than simply in the eye of the beholder. EnduraGuard™ wood treatment formula is new for Pella wood windows and patio doors. EnduraGuard uses an innovative immersion method to create a protective barrier on exterior wood surfaces to offer protection from moisture, stains and decay. The patented formula is applied after product parts are cut, and before final assembly, to provide a higher degree of protection on exterior surfaces of Pella products for lasting performance.

Versatile vinyl provides options

Today’s busy builders and homeowners value the virtues of vinyl because it never needs painting and will not decay. Pella’s newest vinyl brand, Encompass by Pella™, provides builders with an innovative, quality brand backed by the power of Pella’s Direct Sales Network (PDSN) that can provide service and support after the sale, should the customer ever need it.

“With popular features that builders value like an integrated J-channel to help save time and expense at installation time, more grille options and unique styles and shapes, to the outstanding ENERGY STAR® qualified energy efficiency that today’s homeowners demand, the Pella vinyl collection offers more for everyone to enjoy,” said Steve Brenizer, Pella vinyl brand specialist.

New features this year in Pella’s vinyl collection include satin nickel and oil rubbed bronze hardware finishes on sliding door handles to match today’s most popular interior finishes and an automatic lock that’s exceptionally easy to use because it locks when the window sash is closed.

Recently named a Consumers Digest “Best Buy,” ThermaStar by Pella® is featured in the Pella® Design Center SM at Lowe’s,® and is a low-maintenance, energy-efficient option for many of today’s busy, value-conscious homeowners. Centera by Pella™ can be found at select ProDealer locations like 84 Lumber®.

Nostalgic wrought iron adds depth

Other feature products at IBS this year include fiberglass entry systems with wrought iron designs attached to the exterior of the door, rather than featured between glass, providing authentic detail on the entry doors. The new doors also feature textured glass designs on three-quarter and full view glass fiberglass doors and sidelights to offer privacy for the home or business owner, yet filter in natural light.

Other new decorative details include black iron clavos for a rustic look of nail heads on the door and hearty hinge straps that may be added to the exterior of Pella’s fiberglass rustic entry door for a richly appointed entry system.

Sleek, yet strong window protection

Named one of the best new products of 2007 by Architectural Record, Pella Impervia fiberglass composite windows and patio doors provide a strong alternative to wood or vinyl products. Available in factory prefinished brown, white or tan options, Pella Impervia can withstand the forces of Mother Nature without cracking, crumbling, caving or warping in extreme weather conditions. These sleek-profiled innovative products made from Duracast®, the strongest most durable material in windows and doors, are virtually maintenance-free, energy-efficient and well-suited to today’s busy lifestyles and balanced budgets for home and business owners.

About Pella

Pella Corporation is a leader in designing, testing, manufacturing and installing quality windows and doors for new construction, remodeling and replacement applications. Pella earned the U.S. Department of Energy’s ENERGY STAR® Partner of the Year award for windows in 2007 for its leadership in manufacturing energy-efficient windows and educating consumers about them. Pella also earned the 2007 J.D. Power and Associates award for “Highest in Customer Satisfaction among Window and Door Manufacturers.”

The company manufactures quality windows, patio doors and entry door systems sold through a Direct Sales Network operating Pella® Window & Door Showrooms across the United States and Canada and select building materials retailers, including Lowe’s, which features the Pella Design Center, a “store-within-a-store.” For more information, call 888-84-PELLA or visit www.pella.com.

Let the river run � as great views shine through

Wed, 13 Feb 2008 09:52:00 -0600

Elkhart, Indiana, has a not so well-kept- secret, the St. Joseph River. The 10-mile stretch of river running through Elkhart in Northern Indiana is flanked by new homes designed over the last 17 years by local firm HELMAN SECHRIST Architecture.

“The St. Joseph River is a nice natural amenity for our city,” says firm founder Jeff Helman. “The fact that it exists and it’s here in the heart of the upper Midwest is just wonderful.”

The river provides a picturesque natural backdrop for the second- and third-time homebuilders who work with HELMAN SECHRIST. The firm prides itself in getting to know the personality of its clients to create a design that inspires and reflects the personality of homeowners. That approach, combined with Helman’s goal of creating a legacy with the architecture, drenches the homes along the banks of the St. Joseph River with a truly timeless appeal.

“Windows tend to be one item which homeowners are passionate about,” says Helman. “And it’s not unusual for them to be passionate about Pella®.” While creating a 5,400 sq. foot home with sweeping views of the St. Joseph River, Helman recommended energy-efficient Pella wood windows with brick red exterior cladding to contrast with his classic shake/shingle design. “We pushed the envelope to give the homeowners a timeless design with a bold, fresh twist on the windows and they loved it.”

Pella Windows & Doors® offers low-maintenance EnduraClad® exterior cladding which starts with aluminum cladding with a multi-step, baked-on finish to resist fading, chalking and protects for years. Standard exterior colors include white, tan or brown. Feature colors are: Poplar White, Putty, Hartford Green, Hemlock, Morning Sky Gray, Brick Red and Black.

“I truly believe what sets window manufacturers apart is the sheer number of options and sheer number of accessories or features they offer architects and builders as they work with clients,” say Helman. “And Pella has done a great job of coming up with the new proprietary products that set them apart and keeping pace with trends in home design.”

Aptly nicknamed the “city with a heart”, Elkhart is also the city with a river overflowing with home designs that just might … take your breath away.

About Pella
Pella Corporation is a leader in designing, testing, manufacturing and installing quality windows and doors for new construction, remodeling and replacement applications. Pella earned the U.S. Department of Energy’s ENERGY STAR® Partner of the Year award for windows in 2007 for its leadership in manufacturing energy-efficient windows and educating consumers about them.

The company manufactures quality windows, patio doors and entry door systems sold through a Direct Sales Network operating Pella® Window & Door Showrooms across the United States and Canada and select building materials retailers, including Lowe’s,® which features the Pella Design CenterSM, a “store-within-a-store.” For more information, call 888-84-PELLA or visit www.pella.com.

For information on HELMAN SECHRIST Architecture visit:
www.helmansechrist.com

Cutting through the jungle of green building options

Thu, 01 Nov 2007 02:08:00 -0500

The children who grew up with the “Keep America Beautiful” campaign, which encouraged Americans to dispose of trash properly, are now homeowners dreaming of making their own homes beautiful and green. Today’s news headlines and ads bombard consumers with messaging about green products and building practices — which raises awareness — yet often adds to confusion.

According to an article in the September 2007 issue of “Professional Builder,” the definition of green building is “in the eye of the beholder.” Numerous state, regional and local green building programs exist and currently no one national standard has been established; however, whether designing, building or remodeling a home or business, three points to consider remain constant:

1) When working with a building supplier or service provider, consider their commitment to green building.
Pella’s commitment to environmental stewardship has been firmly rooted in the company’s culture, since 1925. Founder Pete Kuyper’s words in 1950 still live on today:
“We recognize our responsibilities as stewards of our natural resources and the environment, and will avoid wasteful or harmful disregard of the environmental effects of our operation.”
• Many of Pella’s products feature recycled content.
• Pella strives to purchase lumber from certified suppliers.
• Scrap wood generated in manufacturing is recycled into wood flour, livestock bedding and landscaping mulch.
• About 20 percent of glass in Pella products stems from recycled materials. Scrap glass and screen cloth are also recycled.

2) Looking for ENERGY STAR®-rated products is a good place to start.
The ENERGY STAR rating can be found on the most energy efficient products, including appliances, office equipment, lighting, home electronics and windows and doors. Pella is the 2007 ENERGY STAR Partner of the Year for Windows.

What ENERGY STAR means:
• Energy efficiency means delivering the same (or more) services for less energy, which helps protect the environment. When we use less energy, power plants don’t need to generate as much, which helps reduce greenhouse gas emissions and improves air quality. A “Professional Builder” article reporting results from a recent green building survey noted “builders said that energy efficiency was somewhat or extremely important to 97 percent of their buyers.” (Source: “Professional Builder,” housingzone.com, September 2007)
• Plus, energy efficiency helps the economy by saving consumers and businesses millions of dollars in energy costs.
• And energy-saving solutions can help reduce energy bills for homeowners and businesses.
• Pella offers windows and doors in a variety of energy-efficient designs and materials, including wood, fiberglass and vinyl. Many Pella products meet ENERGY STAR standards for greatest energy efficiency.
• To keep your home or business warmer in the winter and cooler in the summer, look for Pella products with low U-values, which measure the ability to resist the transfer of heat. Opt for double- or triple-paned glazing options for maximum energy efficiency.

3) Improved indoor air quality can be a benefit of green building practices.
• Indoor air quality can be impacted by a variety of factors, including Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs). Vapors from VOCs can contribute to air pollution, which can negatively affect a building’s inhabitants.
• The September 2007 “Professional Builder” reported that among builders who emphasize green building, “88 percent thought indoor air quality was somewhat or extremely important to their buyers.” (Source: “Professional Builder,” housingzone.com, September 2007)
• Unfinished or factory pre-finished or primed Pella windows and doors meet VOC and chemical components limits of Green Seal® Standard GS-11 requirements, paint environmental guidelines set by the independent nonprofit organization Green Seal.
• To help keep your home or business cleaner and enhance indoor air quality in the process, Pella offers windows and patio doors with window fashions between panes of glass protected from dust and dirt build-up. A university study found windows with traditional room-side blinds collected 200 times more of certain indoor airborne allergens than Pella Designer Series products.*

Future for green is growing
“Green building is neither a trend nor a fad. It’s here to stay,” said Pella Corporation’s Single Family New Construction Marketing Manager Pat O’Brien. “Gathering and applying the facts about products and services will continue to be important to both building professionals and homeowners as they make green design and purchasing decisions.”

About Pella
Pella Corporation is a leader in designing, testing, manufacturing and installing quality windows and doors for new construction, remodeling and replacement applications. Pella earned the U.S. Department of Energy’s ENERGY STAR® Partner of the Year award for windows in 2007 for its leadership in manufacturing energy-efficient windows and educating consumers about them. Pella also earned the 2007 J.D. Power and Associates award for “Highest in Customer Satisfaction among Window and Door Manufacturers.”

As a family-owned and professionally managed privately-held company, Pella is known for its 82-year history of innovation, making great products, providing quality service and delivering on customer satisfaction. Headquartered in Pella, Iowa, the company is committed to incorporating new technologies, increasing productivity, and practicing environmental stewardship to create satisfied customers. Providing careers for more than 9,800 team members, Pella is recognized as one of the nation’s “100 Best Companies to Work For” overall and the “Top Company for Leaders” in the small-to mid-sized category by FORTUNE magazine.

The company manufactures quality windows, patio doors and entry door systems sold through a Direct Sales Network operating Pella® Window & Door Showrooms across the United States and Canada and select building materials retailers, including Lowe’s,® which features the Pella Design CenterSM, a “store-within-a-store.” For more information, call 888-84-PELLA or visit www.pella.com.

* Based on data from research conducted by the Department of Occupational and Environmental Health at the University of Iowa.

Hayden of Pella Corporation reelected to NFRC board

Thu, 01 Nov 2007 02:04:00 -0500

The National Fenestration Rating Council (NFRC), which administers a rating, labeling and certification system for the energy performance of fenestration products including doors and windows, announced that Joe Hayden of Pella Corporation has been reelected to its Board of Directors. Hayden, who serves as Pella’s senior project engineer for certification, has been elected to his first one-year term as Chair of the Board of Directors. Previously, Hayden was the Chairman of the fenestration industry’s general interest category, Research and Technology.

Hayden and other members will assume or continue their positions on the NFRC Board of Directors starting in December of 2007. They include:

Board of Directors
Vice-Chair: Steve Straw, Jeld-Wen, Inc.
Treasurer: Kerry Haglund, University of Minnesota
Secretary: Gary Curtis, The West Wall Group, LLC
Past Chair: Marcia Falke, Keystone Certifications, Inc.
Ombudsman: Jim Krahn, Marvin Windows and Doors

Fenestration Industry Category
Primary Glass Manufacturer: Steve Farrar, Guardian Industries Corp.
Residential: Steve Strawn, JELD-WEN, Inc.

General Interest Category
Research or Higher Education: Stephen Selkowitz, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory
Federal, State or Local Energy Office: Tony Rygg, California Energy Commission
Energy Efficiency Organization: Steven Rosenstock, Edison Electric Institute

NFRC's Board is charged with assuring programs and policies are in place and consistent with NFRC's goal of providing fair and accurate energy performance ratings for fenestration products.

About NFRC
Headquartered in Greenbelt, Md., NFRC is a non-profit organization that administers a voluntary, uniform rating, labeling and certification system for the energy performance of windows, doors, curtain walls, skylights and other fenestration products. Its members include manufacturers, suppliers, utilities, consumer groups, representatives from the building and code industries, scientific and educational organizations and government agencies.

About Pella
Pella Corporation is a leader in designing, testing, manufacturing and installing quality windows and doors for new construction, remodeling and replacement applications. Pella earned the U.S. Department of Energy’s ENERGY STAR® Partner of the Year award for windows in 2007 for its leadership in manufacturing energy-efficient windows and educating consumers about them. Pella also earned the 2007 J.D. Power and Associates award for “Highest in Customer Satisfaction among Window and Door Manufacturers.”

The company manufactures quality windows, patio doors and entry door systems sold through a Direct Sales Network operating Pella® Window & Door Showrooms across the United States and Canada and select building materials retailers, including Lowe’s,® which features the Pella Design CenterSM, a “store-within-a-store.” For more information, call 888-84-PELLA or visit www.pella.com.

�Extreme Makeover: Home Edition� to feature Pella� products

Wed, 17 Oct 2007 12:08:00 -0500

The Sunday, Oct. 21, episode of ABC television network’s “Extreme Makeover: Home Edition” will include products manufactured and donated by Pella Corporation. The episode will air at 8 p.m. Eastern/7 p.m. Central on ABC-TV.

The makeover in Billings, Mont., marks the 18th time Pella products have been featured on the series to help complete the new construction of a home for a deserving family or organization. Pella windows and doors manufactured in Pella, Iowa, and Fairfield, Ohio, were included in the new home built for this episode.

“The Pella team was honored to help this special family by teaming up with ‘Extreme Makeover: Home Edition,’” said Kathy Krafka Harkema, Pella Corporation spokesperson. “The innovative quality of Pella’s windows and doors and the efficient expertise of the dedicated people who supply and service them make Pella a natural fit for these projects. We thank the Pella Window & Door Showroom team in Billings, Mont., in addition to our corporate team members who were so instrumental in Pella’s latest project.”

Past episodes
Pella products were included on 17 previous episodes of “Extreme Makeover: Home Edition,” providing new or renovated homes for deserving families in the California cities of Los Angeles, Martinez and Penngrove and the New Jersey cities of Bergenfield and Irvington. In addition, Pella has provided windows and doors for homes featured on the show in Alma, Ark., near New Orleans, La., in St. Petersburg, Fla.; Clarksville, Tenn.; Bountiful, Utah; Purdy, Mo.; Biloxi, Miss.; Berry, Ky.; Minot, N.D.; Gladbrook, Iowa, Kansas City, Mo. and Albany, N.Y.

About “Extreme Makeover: Home Edition”
"Extreme Makeover: Home Edition," which has won back-to-back Emmy Awards as Best Reality Program (non-competitive), is in its 5th season on ABC. The program is produced by Endemol USA, a division of Endemol Holding. Denise Cramsey is the executive producer; and David Goldberg is the president of Endemol USA.

About Pella
Pella Corporation is a leader in designing, testing, manufacturing and installing quality windows and doors for new construction, remodeling and replacement applications. Pella earned the U.S. Department of Energy’s ENERGY STAR® Partner of the Year award for windows in 2007 for its leadership in manufacturing energy-efficient windows and educating consumers about them. Pella also earned the 2007 J.D. Power and Associates award for “Highest in Customer Satisfaction among Window and Door Manufacturers.”

The company manufactures quality windows, patio doors and entry door systems sold through a Direct Sales Network operating Pella® Window & Door Showrooms across the United States and Canada and select building materials retailers, including Lowe’s,® which features the Pella Design CenterSM, a “store-within-a-store.” For more information, call 888-84-PELLA or visit www.pella.com.

Pella Rolscreen Foundation supports new Iowa caucus exhibit

Mon, 08 Oct 2007 10:37:00 -0500

Visitors to Iowa’s State Historical Museum in Des Moines will get to explore an Iowa political caucus from many perspectives thanks in part to Pella Rolscreen Foundation support.

A new exhibit called “Caucus Iowa,” which runs through January of 2009, showcases Iowa’s first-in-the-nation political caucuses. Pella® windows are featured in the set of an Iowa living room where a caucus takes place.

“This outstanding exhibit covers caucus roles from those of citizens to candidates to campaign staffers and volunteers as they take part in events in coffee shops, living rooms and gymnasiums,” said Foundation Director Mary Van Zante. “Since Iowa plays such a key role in leading the nation’s political landscape, the Pella Rolscreen Foundation joined members of the Iowa Business Council to help underwrite Caucus Iowa through the non-profit State Historical Society of Iowa.”

Located at 600 Locust in downtown Des Moines, the new museum exhibit also encourages visitors to vote on issues through interactive exhibits. A public forum section even provides a place for political groups to express their views.

“This dynamic new exhibit helps visitors understand how Iowa’s caucus system works, why it is so important and how it differs from other steps to the White House,” Van Zante said. “It also shows how media coverage has turned a state political process into an international news event,” she said.

Guided by the State Historical Society of Iowa, the museum and new exhibit is open Monday-Friday from 9 a.m.-4:30 p.m. and Sundays from noon-4:30 p.m.

The 2008 Iowa caucuses for the Democratic and Republican parties are each now set for January 3.

About the Pella Rolscreen Foundation
The Pella Rolscreen Foundation contributes to the civic, cultural, educational, social and physical environments of areas in which Pella Corporation team members reside. Established in 1952, the Foundation provides gifts to active, qualifying non-profit charitable organizations that further these quests. In addition, when Pella Corporation’s team members support charitable causes through personal contributions to qualifying organizations, their gifts are matched by the Pella Rolscreen Foundation.

About Pella Corporation
Pella Corporation is a leader in designing, testing, manufacturing and installing quality windows and doors for new construction, remodeling and replacement applications. Pella earned the U.S. Department of Energy’s ENERGY STAR® Partner of the Year award for windows in 2007 for its leadership in manufacturing energy-efficient windows and educating consumers about them.

As a family-owned and professionally managed privately-held company, Pella is known for its 82-year history of innovation, making outstanding products, providing quality service and delivering on customer satisfaction. Headquartered in Pella, Iowa, the company is committed to incorporating new technologies, increasing productivity, and practicing environmental stewardship to create satisfied customers. Pella is recognized as one of the nation’s “100 Best Companies to Work For” overall and the “Top Company for Leaders” in the small-to mid-sized category by FORTUNE magazine.

Pella Corporation’s window and door manufacturing facilities are located in the Iowa communities of Pella, Carroll, Shenandoah, Sioux Center and Story City, in addition to manufacturing operations in Columbia, S.C., Fairfield, Ohio, Gettysburg, Pa., Macomb, Ill., Murray, Ky., Portland, Ore., Tucson, Ariz., and Wylie, Texas. EFCO, a Pella Company, manufactures commercial products in Monett, Mo.

Pella manufactures quality windows, patio doors and entry door systems sold through a Direct Sales Network operating Pella® Window & Door Showrooms across the United States and Canada and select building materials retailers, including Lowe’s,® which features the Pella Design CenterSM, a “store-within-a-store.” For more information, call 888-84-PELLA or visit www.pella.com.

Baseball-themed movie filmed in Iowa set to knock one out of the park

Fri, 05 Oct 2007 12:05:00 -0500

Iowa has been the setting of many movies, including “The Field of Dreams” filmed near Dyersville. Now, “The Final Season,” another heartwarming story filmed in Iowa, is scheduled to open in theaters nationwide on Fri., Oct. 12.

“The Final Season” portrays the story of Norway, Iowa’s high school baseball team, which went against all odds to win a 20th state championship in 1991. The bittersweet victory earned by the Norway Tigers occurred as the high school closed its doors, marking the end of the small but proud school’s history and the end of one of Iowa’s most successful high school baseball teams.

Iowans will recognize many of the locations and company logos featured in the film. Ballpark billboards featuring the Pella® Windows & Doors logo, in addition to those of other Iowa-based companies are visible in game scenes.

A few special guests will get a sneak preview at a private screening Sun., Oct. 7, in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. The by-invitation-only event features two stars, Powers Boothe and Ottumwa, Iowa native Tom Arnold.

For more information on “The Final Season,” visit www.finalseason.com or www.norwaybaseball.com.

About Pella
Pella Corporation is a leader in designing, testing, manufacturing and installing quality windows and doors for new construction, remodeling and replacement applications. Pella earned the U.S. Department of Energy’s ENERGY STAR® Partner of the Year award for windows in 2007 for its leadership in manufacturing energy-efficient windows and educating consumers about them. Pella also earned the 2007 J.D. Power and Associates award for “Highest in Customer Satisfaction among Window and Door Manufacturers.”

The company manufactures quality windows, patio doors and entry door systems sold through a Direct Sales Network operating Pella® Window & Door Showrooms across the United States and Canada and select building materials retailers, including Lowe’s,® which features the Pella Design CenterSM, a “store-within-a-store.” For more information, call 888-84-PELLA or visit www.pella.com.

Pella� windows, doors enlighten renovated artist�s studio

Fri, 05 Oct 2007 12:01:00 -0500

Remodeling a home often provides an opportunity to create areas that match a home owner’s space with personal interests — just as Brad and Cheryl Thompson did when they converted the garage of their Santa Fe, N.M. home into an artist’s studio and den.

The beautiful architecture and creative culture initially drew the Thompsons to Santa Fe. After living in their home for a few years, Brad needed more space to create his art. Not wanting to move again, they looked to their garage for the room needed to design an area that they both could enjoy.

To bring more natural light and air to the remodeled space, they replaced the garage door with a Pella® Designer Series® hinged patio door with shades between the panes of glass. They also added a Designer Series awning window to the repurposed space. At the same time, the Thompsons replaced a sliding door and windows in other rooms of their home with Designer Series products.

“The patio door in the studio is the focal point of the room. No one would ever know it used to be a garage door,” said Brad.

“We chose the Designer Series windows and patio doors because of the cleanliness. Regular shades are always dirty and needing dusting. With the Pella shades between the panes of glass, this seemed like a good way to keep things clean, nice and orderly,” said Brad.

A university study found windows with traditional room-side blinds collected 200 times more of certain indoor airborne allergens than Pella Designer Series products.*

“Brad and I are unbelievably happy with our Pella windows and doors. They truly are a major highlight of our house and we tell everyone,” said Cheryl.

Pella’s Designer Series Collection brings home removable decorative panels for a new look between panes of glass. With a variety of more than 20 blind or shade colors to unique decorative panels in 10 different design patterns and removable grilles, Pella provides style and color choices to match virtually any décor. Perfect for both Designer Series windows and doors, the flexible options provide the homeowner ability to change the look of a room in minutes, simply by snapping in new window fashions custom made to fit each opening, and protected between panes of glass from dust and dirt.

About Pella
Pella Corporation is a leader in designing, testing, manufacturing and installing quality windows and doors for new construction, remodeling and replacement applications. Pella earned the U.S. Department of Energy’s ENERGY STAR® Partner of the Year award for windows in 2007 for its leadership in manufacturing energy-efficient windows and educating consumers about them. Pella also earned the 2007 J.D. Power and Associates award for “Highest in Customer Satisfaction among Window and Door Manufacturers.”

The company manufactures quality windows, patio doors and entry door systems sold through a Direct Sales Network operating Pella® Window & Door Showrooms across the United States and Canada and select building materials retailers, including Lowe’s,® which features the Pella Design CenterSM, a “store-within-a-store.” For more information, call 888-84-PELLA or visit www.pella.com.

* Based on data from research conducted by the Department of Occupational and Environmental Health at the University of Iowa.

Pella Pressroom : News Releases

Pella Corporation again earns J.D. Power and Associates recognition

Mini-marathon Aug. 2 in Knoxville raises dollars for scholars

Pella earns EPA SmartWay(SM) Transport Partner status

Pella's most energy-efficient windows featured in Chicago's Smart Home

Pella Corporation raises $210,213 for juvenile diabetes research

Kansas City builder creates HEALTH HOME�

Pella organizations plan 2008 Earth Day Event at Vermeer

Keep children safer with window safety practices

Equity protection sets in for U.S. homeowners (multimedia version)

Equity protection sets in for U.S. homeowners (text version)

More Americans opt for practical home improvements

�Extreme Makeover: Home Edition� to feature Pella� products

Pella Corporation again earns distinguished energy efficiency recognition

Pella� introduces stunning new wood entry doors

Pella� creates better views with trend-setters

“Have nothing in your houses which you do not know to be useful or believe to be beautiful.” William Morris, 1880

Helping builders create better views

Beautiful wood windows enhance views

Wood treatment adds protection

Versatile vinyl provides options

Nostalgic wrought iron adds depth

Sleek, yet strong window protection

About Pella

Let the river run � as great views shine through

Cutting through the jungle of green building options

Hayden of Pella Corporation reelected to NFRC board

�Extreme Makeover: Home Edition� to feature Pella� products

Pella Rolscreen Foundation supports new Iowa caucus exhibit

Baseball-themed movie filmed in Iowa set to knock one out of the park

Pella� windows, doors enlighten renovated artist�s studio

“Have nothing in your houses which you do not know to be useful or believe to be beautiful.”
William Morris, 1880