Industry Profile

When you hear “Venice” do you think of the northern Italian city of canals and lagoons or the famous beach town in southern California? How about the “City on the Gulf” and home of PGT Industries?  Well, Venice, Florida may soon be more familiar to you as PGT continues its growth here in Rowan. Headquartered in Venice, Florida, PGT is the nation’s largest manufacturer of residential impact-resistant windows and doors.

As previously noted in this newsletter, the decision by PGT to purchase the former GDX facility on Heilig Road and relocate their expanding operations to our community was one of the South’s biggest economic development deals in 2006. The Salisbury- Rowan Economic Development Commission was instrumental in the $23 million project persuading PGT to locate in Rowan instead of relocating to South Carolina, as planned. Since then, PGT purchased the site, invested about $5 million in retro fitting and upgrading the building, and plans to invest another $1.5 million in facility improvements by February 2008.

Founded in 1980, PGT employs over 2,000 at its Rowan and N. Venice facilities.    With a focus on customer service and complete, on-time delivery of products utilizing its company-owned fleet of trucks, PGT has experienced consistent growth. Sold through a network of independent distributors, the company’s complete line of windows and doors is available in the eastern United States, the Gulf Coast, Caribbean, South America and Australia. The current line includes PGT® Aluminum and Vinyl Windows and Doors; WinGuard® Impact-Resistant Windows and Doors with vinyl or aluminum frames; Architectural Systems Windows and Doors; and Eze-Breeze® Sliding Panels.

PGT began to establish itself as the manufacturing leader in residential impact-resistant window and door protection after Hurricane Andrew devastated South Florida in 1992. In fact, PGT pioneered the U.S. impact-resistant window and door industry and was the first manufacturer to offer a complete line of residential aluminum impact-resistant windows and doors to be approved by Miami-Dade Building Product Control – which enforces the strictest codes in the United States for wind-borne debris and wind loading. PGT also helped develop the testing protocols required by these stringent codes and continues to serve on several Florida based building code committees.  

Growth through new product introductions and market expansion in coastal regions is anticipated this year despite the overall downturn in the construction market.  Most recent, the company  entered the Gulf Coast to partner with Louisiana businesses providing new windows for two public schools damaged during Hurricane Katrina.

PGT has a true commitment to its employees expressed through above average compensation and benefits, a town-hall management style and considerable focus on employee development. Additionally, PGT has a record of involvement with the people and communities in which they do business as an outgrowth of their core values: integrity, family, customers, quality and community.  The company went public in 2006 and is now traded on NASDAQ as PGTI.

So, next time you see a PGT truck, not only can you think of the quality, durable windows and doors that they build and sell but also remember their role and importance in our local community.  For more information visit PGT at www.pgtindustries.com.