Andersen history

The lumber yard was ideally situated to take advantage of the large stretches of white pine in the St Croix river valley; another yard, in Afton, Minnesota, also began operations in 1904.

1905 Andersen develops the “develops the two bundle” method, streamlining the window construction process and making fast, jobsite construction possible.

In 1908, Hans Andersen sold the lumberyards to devote all the company's efforts to the window frame business.

By 1912, the company required more space, and a site was found on the other side of the St Croix; a new plant was completed within a year and began operations with 59 employees.

With Hans Andersen's death in 1914, Fred was elected president, and Herbert became vice-president, secretary-treasurer, and factory manager.

The company moved its office from Wisconsin to South Stillwater, Minnesota (renamed Bayport in 1922), ten years later.

In 1928, the company surpassed the one million mark in the number of frames produced.

The following decade was characterized by several innovations, beginning with the production of a Master Frame, complete with locked sill joint, in 1930.

1932 The Andersen® master casement window becomes the first completely assembled window unit in the industry.

In 1937, a final name change was in order to signal the company's evolution from frame-maker to full-fledged window manufacturer.

Also during this time, consumer advertising, beginning with the Home Planner's Scrap Book in 1943, became increasingly important to the company.

1952 Andersen develops first-of-its-kind new Welded Insulating Glass, eliminating the need for storm panels.

The invention was so popular that it doubled Andersen's market share within two years, and, by 1963, ten million Flexivent windows had been shipped.

1966 The Andersen® Perma-Shield® cladding system, a tough vinyl exterior for wood windows, debuts to revolutionize the window industry.

In 1978, a year after the dedication of a new research and development facility, the window maker celebrated its 75th anniversary.

In January 1983, Sarah joined the board and began working to transform it into an actual governing body.

1991 Andersen develops Fibrex® material, a revolutionary composite made of wood fiber reclaimed from Andersen manufacturing operations and a special thermoplastic polymer, some of which is also reclaimed.

In 1994, the Wall Street Journal's Joe Pine reported on Andersen's Window of Knowledge, a 'multimedia kiosk' available to retailers, enabling them to specially design their own window combinations.

1995 Andersen begins offering Green Seal™ certified products—an industry first.

1999 Andersen is the first window manufacturer to be named an ENERGY STAR® National Window Partner of the Year.

Andersen opened a new manufacturing facility in Menomonie, Wisconsin in 2000.

2009 Andersen introduces 100 Series windows and doors made from Fibrex® material and featuring responsible construction, economical pricing and energy-saving performance.

2010 Andersen unveils A-Series windows and doors, our highest-performing line of windows and patio doors offering the widest range of colors and designs.

2011 Andersen releases its first Corporate Sustainability Report, which remains an annual event.

2012 Andersen earns the ENERGY STAR® Sustained Excellence Award, which is reserved for partners demonstrating outstanding leadership year after year.

January 2013 marked the end of era as Andersen retired the full-frame Andersen Narroline double-hung window during an event at the company’s Bayport headquarters.

Andersen announced an $18 million expansion of its Bayport operations in April 2015.

In October, 2017, Andersen acquired Quebec-based Fenêtres MQ Inc., a Quebec-based manufacturer of high-end doors and windows.

In January 2018, Andersen acquired Frontier Tooling and Design Corp, an extrusion tooling supplier in Huntington, West Virginia.