Ply Gem Building Products and its West Virginia manufacturing facilities have received the West Virginia Governor’s Award for Excellence in Industrial Energy Efficiency. This award, not limited to the window and door industry, examines how production facilities are eco-friendly, provide safe work environments and the energy efficiency of the products produced.
Ply Gem’s West Virginia manufacturing facilities are the production site for Simonton Windows & Doors, a vinyl window and patio door brand serving remodeling, new construction and coastal application needs. West Virginia is home to four production facilities that manufacture Simonton’s vinyl windows and doors. It employs over 1,000 associates across five facilities including the Ritchie county manufacturing plants (Ellenboro/Harrisville/Pennsboro, W.Va.), SimEx vinyl extrusion facility and an office in Parkersburg, W.Va. Simonton products are sold, distributed and installed across the United States.
Ply Gem partnered with Bhaskaran Gopalakrishnan (aka Dr. Gopala), professor and director of the Industrial Assessment Center, and his team at West Virginia University to perform energy audits throughout Ply Gem’s facilities in West Virginia. Based on recommendations from West Virginia University, Ply Gem is pursuing energy-efficient projects including plant lighting, compressed air utilization and equipment insulation. West Virginia University has also identified utility savings with updates to the chillers and processing systems at SimEx, Ply Gem’s vinyl extrusion facility.
Ply Gem monitors its carbon footprint and recycles excess scrap vinyl, paper, glass, and metals used in production. Low volatile organic compound (VOC) cleaners and paints are used throughout the facilities; which provides enhanced indoor air quality for its associates.
Simonton products have been an ENERGY STAR partner since 1999 and follow the criteria for windows and doors developed by the Environmental Protection Agency. Simonton’s windows and doors offer ENERGY STAR glass packages that meet guidelines for energy efficiency in all regions of the country and are ENERGY STAR Version Six compliant. Simonton products also comply with energy state codes, the NFRC (National Fenestration Rating Council) and AAMA (American Architectural Manufacturers Association). The majority of Simonton products manufactured in West Virginia are AAMA Gold Certified.
For the second year in a row, Simonton’s energy efficient windows and doors are featured in HGTV’s “Smart Home”. Go to the website to see why Simonton windows and doors are an energy efficient choice for any consumer.