Simonton Windows has offered employment back to all hourly employees laid off since late 2008. Due to economic and seasonal market conditions, a total of 402 full-time and seasonal employees have been asked to rejoin the Simonton team at the company’s window and door manufacturing locations throughout West Virginia and Illinois. The company, an operating unit of Fortune Brands, is also looking to hire an additional 55 new employees in those locations.

“Business has picked up this summer, allowing us to return former employees back to work and offer new jobs to more people,” said Mark Savan, president of Simonton Windows. “Part of the business increase relates to seasonal demand for windows that we traditionally see during the second and third quarters of the year.

“However, this year we’re also seeing first-hand that the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 is having a positive impact on window sales,” Savan continued. “This homeowner stimulus package is succeeding in motivating consumers to invest in energy-efficient replacement windows and doors to gain a tax credit. Many of our customers nationwide are experiencing positive sales results related to the tax credit incentive. The stimulative effect of the consumer tax credit means we are in a position to rehire employees in our manufacturing facilities, along with hiring additional seasonal workers during the third quarter.”

He noted that, while overall business conditions remain very challenging, his company is ahead of the market. “We’re gaining market share during a difficult economic time,” Savan said.

At Simonton’s facility in Paris, Ill., 139 employees were laid off in late 2008 and early 2009. Now, each of these employees has been offered their position back, plus the company is actively looking to hire 30 more people.

“The stimulus bill we passed earlier this year has made it possible for companies like Simonton to reopen their doors and put people back to work,” said Illinois U.S. Senator Dick Durbin. “With tax credits and incentives for green initiatives, the Recovery Act has recreated a market for energy efficient materials that had virtually disappeared during the economic downturn. Simonton wasted little time in taking advantage of this new demand, and the company is now able to bring jobs back to Illinois and support our local economy.”

“We have been calling employees back to work on a regular basis during the last four months as business needs increase,” said Andy Shashlo, vice president operations at Simonton Windows. “While some employees had already located other jobs during the layoff timeframe, a vast majority have now returned to work at our operations.”

In Simonton’s facilities in West Virginia, 263 employees were laid off during late 2008 and early 2009. All employees in good standing have been asked to come back to work, plus the company anticipates filling an additional 25 seasonal positions by the end of September.