Monett-based EFCO sells to Pella Corp.

On Aug. 28, the windows manufacturer sold to Pella, Iowa-based Pella Corp., another windows manufacturer. The sale price between the two privately owned companies was undisclosed.

Pella will keep EFCO’s 1,600 employees in Monett and will continue to sell products under the EFCO brand.

Pella has about 10,000 employees and more than a dozen manufacturing facilities throughout the U.S., and it primarily deals in wood- and fiberglass-based residential windows. Meanwhile, EFCO makes aluminum-based windows, curtain walls and storefront and entrance systems exclusively for commercial use.

“This represents a new venture in the aluminum industry in serving commercial customers,” said Pella spokeswoman Kathy Krafka Harkema. “This marriage of two strong, family-owned companies is so exciting.”

Pella Chairman Charles Farver is the grandson of Pete Kuyper, who founded Pella 82 years ago. Pella CEO Mel Haught is not related to the Kuyper/Farver family, which maintains ownership.

EFCO was founded by Terry Fuldner and George Eberle in 1953 in St. Louis. It moved to Monett in 1957 and Fuldner bought Eberle out in 1964. It had been owned and operated by Terry Fuldner and son Chris Fuldner until the sale.

A family’s legacy

“It wasn’t fun for me anymore,” said Chris Fuldner, whose desire to retire prompted him to put EFCO on the block. Negotiations with Pella began seriously in April after contacts with multiple unnamed companies, he said.

“Maybe it’s time for some younger guys to get in there with more energy and new ideas, and let them have at it,” he said.

Chris Fuldner joined his father full time at EFCO in 1973, became president in 1986 and took over as CEO and chairman in 1999 when Terry Fuldner, now 79, retired.

Fuldner said selling to Pella was a good fit for three reasons: Both Pella and EFCO are Midwest-based companies with shared values; Pella offered an attractive purchase price; and Pella was committed to maintaining EFCO’s operations, including its national network of independent sales representatives.

Founder Terry Fuldner said Pella is smart to take advantage of EFCO’s reputation, established sales network and experience in commercial manufacturing.

“They’re a residential window builder, and they’ve got a lot to learn, I’m sure, about the commercial window business,” he said.

Even with Terry and Chris Fuldner retired, the younger generation of the Fuldner family still works for EFCO. Chris’ daughter, Kerry Watts, is a sales representative based in Springfield.

Her husband, Cory Watts, is director of national accounts. Chris’ son, Scott Fuldner, is an hourly employee in EFCO’s research lab. Chris’ son-in-law, Josh Rudd, is purchasing manager.

Meanwhile, Chris Fuldner, 56, will split time between homes in Las Vegas and Monett, and may move to Springfield and start an undetermined small business after some time off.

“I’ve got a fascination with aviation, so maybe something there,” he said.

Top company

Pella spokeswoman Krafka Harkema said customers and employees should experience a seamless transition. Two longtime EFCO executives – Mark Kaiser with sales and customer service and Rob Jones with manufacturing – remain with EFCO and will guide the ship until a new captain is in place.

Based on sales growth, Pella doesn’t have any reason to rock the boat, either. In 1980, EFCO sales were $12 million. In 1999, sales were $175 million. Last year, sales reached $250 million, according to Chris Fuldner.

EFCO windows are installed in hundreds of prominent buildings nationally, including a half dozen of Donald Trump’s buildings in New York City, he said.

Suzy McElmurry, executive director of Monett Chamber of Commerce, said Pella’s acquisition of EFCO was “positive,” though she wouldn’t delve into the reasons for her outlook.

She said a stable EFCO is important to Monett, a town of 7, 400. With its 1,600 employees, EFCO’s the top employer in the town.

The second largest employer is Monett-based banking software company Jack Henry & Associates with 1,100 employees, and No. 3 is Springdale, Ark.-based Tyson Foods with more than 800 employees.

About 14,000 people work in Monett, McElmurry said.

Krafka Harkema said Pella plans to expand EFCO operations, though she wouldn’t share company plans. She also wouldn’t disclose Pella’s revenues or information about other subsidiary companies.

Pella’s manufacturing facilities are in Pella, Carroll, Shenandoah, Sioux Center and Story City, Iowa; Columbia, S.C.; Fairfield, Ohio; Gettysburg, Pa.; Macomb, Ill.; Murray, Ky.; Portland, Ore.; Tucson, Ariz.; and Wylie, Texas.[[In-content Ad]]