Pella (company)
The Pella Corporation is a privately owned manufacturer specializing in windows and doors, headquartered in Pella, Iowa, with production facilities and sales operations distributed throughout the United States.
Established in 1925 by Pete Kuyper and Lucille Kuyper through a $5,000 purchase of the Rolscreen Company—the originator of the Rolscreen insect window screen—the enterprise shifted its base to Pella, Iowa in 1926. This move capitalized on the Kuyper family’s existing lumber business. Over time, it evolved into one of the nation’s leading window producers and adopted the name Pella Corporation in 1992. The company currently employs approximately 10,000 individuals across the country and maintains 20 manufacturing plants within the U.S. and Canada. Key product offerings include the EnduraClad and EnduraGuard window collections.
Background
Pella broadened its reach into the national retail sector in 1992 by introducing windows and patio doors, followed by distribution through lumberyards starting in 1994. In 2001, it inaugurated Pella Design Centers—dedicated retail spaces operated by Lowe's staff inside Lowe's stores—to better serve mainstream consumers.
The company has received multiple accolades for workplace quality, including six consecutive years of recognition from Fortune Magazine beginning in 2000 and being named among Forbes’ Best Large Employers in 2018. It secured the EPA and DOE Energy Star Sustained Excellence Award in both 2009 and 2010, along with the ENERGY STAR Partner of the Year award in 2013 for its commitment to energy-efficient products and consumer education initiatives. Since becoming a partner in 1999, Pella has also been affiliated with organizations such as the United States Green Building Council (USGBC), American Architectural Manufacturers Association (AAMA), and Window and Door Manufacturers Association (WDMA).
Charitable activities
The Kuyper Rolscreen Charitable Trust was created by Pete and Lucille Kuyper in 1952 and restructured as the Pella Rolscreen Foundation in 1968. This foundation focuses on supporting education, community development, and philanthropic endeavors. It launched Matching Gifts in 1984 and initiated a volunteer recognition program in 2002 to celebrate its 50th year. The foundation awards grants, invests in youth education programs, and organizes community service projects that benefit areas where Pella Corporation employees reside and work.
Since 2003, Pella Corporation has collaborated with JDRF, an organization committed to finding a cure for Type 1 Diabetes and assisting those impacted by the disease. In 2017, Pella along with its workforce contributed $2.7 million USD to support JDRF’s mission.