PARKERSBURG, W. VA. - Simonton Windows®, a leading supplier of top-quality windows and patio doors, has hired Cristen Baca as vice president of new product development. Baca will oversee the company's new product development activities, including the opening of a second New Product Development Center in Ohio.
The new 5,000-square foot Simonton facility will be located outside of Columbus, Ohio, and will serve as a sister operation to the company's original New Product Development Center located in Parkersburg, West Virginia.
"Throughout this difficult economic situation Simonton remains committed to investing in those areas that will drive continued market share growth for us and our customers," says Simonton Windows President Mark Savan. "We believe that Cristen brings extraordinary leadership to our organization and will help develop new growth opportunities that will strengthen our company in the long-term and position us for even greater success in the future."
Formerly with The Boeing Company in Seattle since 1994, Baca has extensive experience in both product development and operations having led more than 650 production workers and the LEAN transformation of the company's 747 aircraft assembly. Throughout her Boeing career she has had experience in integrating product development, engineering, production and certification of company aircrafts. Baca holds a B.S. degree in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Colorado at Denver; a M.S. in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Washington; a M.S. in Mechanical Engineering from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology along with a M.B.A. from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.
"Cristen's talent will support Simonton's goal of growing our company and providing our customers with industry-leading products and support," says Savan. "Even though our country and the housing industry are currently in the midst of tough market conditions, we're not holding back at Simonton. We recognize that future successes will come for us, and to our customers, by our team taking aggressive steps forward today to develop new products."
The New Product Development Center, opening in early 2009, will be located at 5991 Chandler Court in Westerville, Ohio. The site, located in the northeast suburbs of Columbus, was selected due to the area's access to top engineering talent and several universities and colleges.
"Simonton is planting the seeds for future growth with this additional facility," says Savan. "By increasing investments in design and engineering capabilities we are demonstrating that our company is dedicated to long-term growth in this industry."
Simonton Windows produces ENERGY STAR® qualified replacement and new construction windows and doors, including a line of impact-resistant products. Simonton ranked "Highest in Builder and Remodeler Satisfaction among Residential Window and Patio Door Manufacturers" in the J.D. Power and Associates 2008 Builder and Remodeler Residential Window and Patio Door Satisfaction StudySM. The company was ranked #1 in quality in the 2007 Brand Use Study sponsored by Builder magazine and has won three Best In Class Awards from Market Research Associates.
Founded in 1946, Simonton's hallmark has been to deliver its made-to-order products in seven days or less. Part of consumer products company Fortune Brands, Inc. (NYSE: FO), Simonton has manufacturing facilities in Pennsboro, Harrisville, Ellenboro and St. Mary's, W.Va.; Paris, Ill.; McAlester, Okla.; and Vacaville, Calif. Simonton is a founding sponsor of The Weather Museum and a corporate partner of Homes for Our Troops. For information, call (800) SIMONTON or visit www.simonton.com. ENERGY STAR is a trademark owned by The Nelrod Corporation.
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PHOTOGRAPHY: Media members may contact Kathy Ziprik at kziprik@aol.com for a head shot of Cristen Baca.
Simonton Windows received the highest numerical score in the proprietary J.D. Power and Associates/McGraw-Hill Construction 2008 Builder and Remodeler Residential Window and Patio Door Satisfaction StudySM. Study based on 2,837 new-home builders and remodelers. Proprietary study results are based on experiences and perceptions of new home builders and remodelers surveyed in May through June 2008. Your experiences may vary. Visit jdpower.com.
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Tags: patio doors, quality windows
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