Quick Look: Manufacturers in McDonough County By Nathan Woodside
October is National Manufacturing Month. Here’s a quick look at the history of other current manufacturers in McDonough County.
Pella Corporation traces its origins back to 1925, when Peter Kuyper and his wife, Lucille, invested $5,000 to acquire the Rolscreen Company. This small business was known for inventing the Rolscreen insect window screen, which conveniently rolls out of sight when not in use. A year later, the Kuypers relocated the company to Pella, Iowa, leveraging their family’s existing lumber business in the area.
Over the decades, the company expanded significantly, growing into one of the nation’s leading window manufacturers. In 1992, it adopted the name Pella Corporation to reflect its broader product range and market presence. Today, Pella employs approximately 10,000 people across 20 manufacturing facilities located throughout the United States and parts of Canada. Among its wellknown window product lines are the EnduraClad and EnduraGuard systems.
In 2005, Pella announced plans to open a new manufacturing plant in Macomb, Illinois, which was projected to create 480 jobs. The state supported the project with up to $7 million in grants and tax incentives to help establish the 25,550-square-meter facility. The Macomb plant has since grown to employ around 600 workers, contributing significantly to the local economy.
