Quaker Windows Opens New Eldon Facility
Quaker Windows and Doors, a major Missouri employer recognized by Inc. Magazine as one of the fastest growing companies in America, recently opened its newest manufacturing plant in Eldon.
“We are very excited for this day to finally be here and look forward to sharing it with the Eldon community at a grand opening ceremony later this year,” said Jason Pratt, general manager of Quaker’s Eldon Manufacturing Operations.
The projected total investment to fully develop the almost 150 acre campus is $65 million and is expected to create nearly 300 new full-time jobs in the region once later phases are complete. This expansion of Quaker’s manufacturing capacity is to meet the growing demand for the company’s products across the United States.
The company was applauded for keeping its expansion strategy rooted in Mid-Missouri. Ameren Missouri vice president of Community, Economic Development and Energy Solutions, Matt Forck said in 2018 that Quaker was the first business to use Ameren Missouri's new economic development incentive which provides qualifying manufacturers a discount on electric rates. "It's one of the best economic development incentives in the country for businesses like Quaker," Forck said.
Stemming from Senate Bill 564 – legislation passed in 2018 that updated Missouri’s energy laws – the Smart Energy Plan economic development incentive (EDI) is crafted to encourage investment in the state, adding jobs and spurring economic growth in local communities.
The EDI program is offered to qualifying new and existing businesses seeking to locate or expand in Missouri. Qualifying business customers could receive an average 40 percent discount from base rates over a five-year agreement term.
“We love it when homegrown Missouri businesses choose to continue growing in our state,” Gov. Mike Parson said at the groundbreaking ceremony in 2019. “To make this project happen, it took a lot of collaboration between state and local partners, across workforce, economic development, and government.”
Quaker was founded by Bud and Marge Knoll in 1949 and has been led by a member of the family since 2012 when Kevin Blansett, a Camdenton native, was named CEO.
“I was afforded the diverse opportunity to learn the business from multiple perspectives over my 28 years working for this company,” Blansett, who has held a number of roles leading up to becoming CEO, told L O PROFILE magazine. “I’m proud of the culture of the company where everyone is treated like owners.”
“Our greatest resources are our hard-working and dedicated employees,” he continued. “They go the extra mile to meet the needs of our customers every day. The combination of the 3 Ps — ‘People, Products, and Plant Modernization’ is what makes the ‘Quaker Difference.’”
The Eldon expansion isn’t all that’s in store for Quaker’s future. “We really haven’t pushed the gas pedal,” Blansett said. “We hope to become a household name. I’m really excited for Quaker’s future.”