Having grown from a small roll screen company to a national industry leader, Pella Corporation has much to celebrate as the company embarks on its 100th anniversary.
The History
Founded in 1925, Peter and Lucille Kuyper invested $5,000 to purchase the Rolscreen Company, a small business near Des Moines, Iowa, that manufactured a unique, roll-up window screen.
“Peter and Lucille’s primary motivation was to create jobs in their hometown of Pella, Iowa,” says Dave Fleming, general manager of trade sales at Mountain View Pella.
They did more than that. Through the Great Depression and post-war economic boom, innovation remained at the forefront of the company.
The Boom
The 1950s introduced wood folding doors. The 1960s brought the first double-hung window. The 1970s introduced the low-maintenance aluminum-clad wood window. Pella pivoted in its innovation techniques and “expanded its distribution network to adapt to the ever-changing market,” Fleming says.
In 1985, the first Pella Window Store opened to cater to upscale retail buyers. In 1992, it officially changed its name to Pella Corporation to reflect its broad product line and connection to the community. As the 2000s entered, Pella Corporation grew rapidly, was recognized as one of Fortune magazine’s “100 Best Companies to Work for” and continued the rank for six consecutive years.
The Here and Now
Pella Corporation specializes in high-quality windows, patio doors, multislides, bifolds and entry doors in wood, fiberglass, and vinyl for residential and commercial products. Their services include professional installation, design consultation and replacement solutions. What started as a desire to improve a community in Iowa has now expanded across the country, improving the homes and lives of its customers.
“Pella has focused on technology advancements and holds over 150 product and design patents,” Fleming says.
With about 250 showrooms and nearly two dozen manufacturing facilities across the United States, Colorado holds two customer experience centers in Colorado Springs and Grand Junction and three boutique showrooms in Trinidad, Buena Vista and Pueblo. To experience the award-winning customer center here in the Springs, Pella is conveniently located near Woodman and I-25 next to Furniture Row.
Local Loyalty to the National Name
“What began as a tale of entrepreneurship and dedication, Arrow Glass Co. was founded by George White in the early 1960s, which paved the way for what Mountain View Pella represents today in the state of Colorado,” Fleming explains.
George White, a man with an unwavering commitment to excellence and community, established Arrow Glass with a simple yet powerful mission: to provide exceptional glass products and services that elevate the homes and businesses of Grand Junction.
As Arrow Glass expanded its reach to encompass residential, commercial, automotive and architectural projects, it became clear that a commitment to customer satisfaction was the driving force behind its growth. The family, led by Randy White and son-in-law Chris Pettofrezzo, continue George White’s legacy with the partnership of Pella Corporation. Just as George White pioneered innovation and integrity, Pella has upheld those very principles in its decades of experience. This consolidation brings together not just two names but two legacies, creating a synergy that’s poised to redefine excellence in the industry.
The Long Game
How does a business distinguish itself from the rest and create a legacy for over a century?
“Pella focuses on high performance, proprietary materials like Impervia fiberglass, the number one wood clad line in America and superior energy efficiency coupled with honesty, integrity, making things right and a people-focused culture,” Fleming says.
Known for its “Pella passion,” Pella offers rigorous testing that exceeds industry standards, a strong limited lifetime warranty and is recognized for its unique, patented features such as blinds-between-the glass and the Easy-Slide door. With innovation and employee growth at the top of their game, Pella has catapulted into a household name and a leading company in the U.S.
Address + Phone: 6380 Corporate Centre Cir., Suite 175 | 719-634-6151
Website: https://www.pella.com/locations/colorado-springs
Facebook: @PellaWindowsAndDoors
Instagram: @PellaWindows