Republic Windows to Reopen

By Kevin Robinson in News on Mar 2, 2009 5:20PM

Serious Materials, a California-based manufacturer of eco-friendly building materials, completed the purchase of the Republic Windows and Doors factory in bankruptcy court late last week, announcing that they would rehire all of the 250 workers that lost their jobs when the plant abruptly closed last December. The site, which was the center of a sit-in by the workers, who are members of United Electrical Workers Local 1110, is expected to begin operations again in a matter of months.

"The fuel efficient and energy efficient windows and doors they make are going to be in demand as we move towards weatherization, so this will not only help the homeowners, it will help the environment. It will help create good paying jobs right here in Chicago," said Illinois Senator Dick Durbin. Both Durbin and Vice President Joe Biden credited the recently passed American Recovery and Reinvestment Act with bringing jobs back to Chicago. “We see this opportunity to expand our operations in direct relation to the stimulus package, which includes the greening of federal buildings and the weatherization assistance program,” Serious Materials chief marketing officer Sandra Vaughan told the New York Times.