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December 6, 2006
Andersen -- the world's largest maker of wood windows, patio doors and storm doors -- said it now employs just over 15,000 people at 18 plants across North America. It has around 2,600 employees in Bayport during the peak production season and 340 in Menomonie. It said the work force reduction will be effective in January.
Annual revenue at the privately held company has been estimated at more than $2 billion.
Many employees received the news Tuesday, and word spread quickly through the St. Croix River community east of St. Paul.
"It's Black Tuesday," Bayport Mayor-elect Jon Nowaczek said then. "We're concerned for the workers who are going to be losing their livelihoods and for their families -- the Twin Cities area has taken some hits, with Ford and their plant, 3M, Northwest. It's kind of a grim picture out there."
In a prepared statement, Andersen spokeswoman Maureen McDonough said the company has been hurt by the downturn in the housing market. Housing starts are down 12 percent this year, and she said industry experts were forecasting a further decline of 10 percent to 12 percent in 2007.
"This is not a temporary decline, but rather a long-term correction," she wrote. "Because we don't expect a quick rebound, it's clear that we have more capacity than we need to meet demand."
The affected employees will be offered severance and other assistance, and will have the opportunity to apply for other jobs within the company.
McDonough said Anderson continues to be profitable. While the new housing market is declining, she said the company has seen growth in sales of replacement windows to homeowners who choose remodel instead of build new homes.
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