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By Bill Bregar
SENIOR STAFF REPORTER
Published: July 24, 2013 5:14 pm ET
Veka Inc. is investing more than $6 million to expand production at its vinyl window profile extrusion plant in Fombell, in western Pennsylvania.
Veka will add 38 jobs in Fombell, where it now employs 364 people, according to an announcement by Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Corbett.
Corbett announced the expansion on July 23.
In a news release, James Druschel, Veka’s vice president of finance and chief financial officer, said the expansion is so Veka can “create a new energy efficient window system for our newest client.” The capital investment will enable Veka to expand its building to accommodate the installation of new equipment.
Veka’s CEO and president, Joe Peilert, said Veka would not disclose the customer or say what type or quantity of equipment it will purchase.
Veka is based Fombell and the company also runs window profile extrusion factories in Reno, Nev., and Terrell, Texas. The company generates $120 million in extrusion-related sales, according to the current Plastics News ranking. In addition to windows, Veka makes profiles for doors, fencing and decking and railing.
“We decided to expand our operations in Pennsylvania to supply this new customer. Pennsylvania’s assistance was definitely a factor in our decision to expand locally,” Druschel said.
Veka received funding from the state Department of Community and Economic Development, including a $190,000 Pennsylvania First Program grant, $114,000 in Job Creation Tax Credits and a $17,100 Guaranteed Free Training Grant for worker training.
James Palmer, president of the Beaver County Corporation for Economic Development, said Veka has manufactured vinyl window profiles in Fombell for 25 years.
“Veka was one of the first major industries to locate in Beaver County after the decline of the steel industry,” Palmer said. | |
