Window maker closing Manatee County plant; 200 will lose jobs

<p>Simonton Windows will close its Manatee County manufacturing plant, eliminating 200 jobs, the company announced.</p><p>Demand for its impact-resistant windows increased after the 2004 hurricane season, and the Parkersburg, W.Va.-based company had been looking to expand, spokeswoman Kathy Ziprik said. However, the company needed a location with zoning that would allow three shifts to run its noisy equipment.</p><p>The company's decision to close the Bradenton plant and instead build a new plant in Georgia "comes as a result of us not being able to find a location in Manatee County _ or anywhere in Florida," Ziprik said.</p><p>The new 100,000-square-foot plant in Lyons, Ga., is expected to begin production this fall and employ 85 people.</p><p>The Bradenton plant, which produces aluminum-framed windows, will close Nov. 17.</p><p>Simonton also has plants in Paris, Ill.; McAlester, Okla.; Vacaville, Calif.; and Pennsboro, Harrisville and Ellenboro, W.Va.</p><p>___</p><p>On the Net:</p><p>HASH(0x1d09d2c)</p><p>___</p><p>HASH(0x1d09e88)</p>