Tom Ziegler, President of Operations, gave a presentation on the history of Gateway’s growth, its sizable investments in property and equipment in Union, and the company’s plans and opportunities for further growth.
“The aluminum extrusion manufacturing industry is growing in Union,” said Ziegler. “Gateway’s investment of $15 million in new equipment and additional property and buildings means we are here to stay with plenty of room to grow in the future. Union is a terrific location to grow for many reasons. The labor force, the supportive business community, proximity to markets in every direction, the cost of operations, and the quality of life have made this the perfect choice for Gateway.”
Union City Mayor Mike Livengood shared with the audience his observations of Gateway’s success over the years, praising the company’s expansion and investments, and noting the company is a great employer and a committed, financially sound business for the community. Then Mayor Livengood, other city officials, and representatives for U.S. Senator Roy Blunt and Missouri’s Department of Economic Development joined Gateway executives in a ceremonial ribbon-cutting to open the expanded factory, signifying Gateway’s future.
Gateway has had a major impact on the regional economy as well as the City of Union. “More than half of our vendors are based in Missouri, supplying materials, goods, and services required to keep our aluminum extrusion operations running smoothly,” said Ziegler. “We have doubled our workforce to over 130 employees since 2014 with the addition of new equipment and services. We have added new customers, many of which are right here in the region, and our annual production has doubled since 2015.”
Gateway opened in 2003 with the acquisition of the existing shuttered Cupples Aluminum Products plant in the Union Industrial Park by Gateway’s parent company, national manufacturer Crystal Window & Door Systems, headquartered in New York. Gateway was launched to vertically integrate Crystal’s manufacturing and control quality and was soon supplying nearly all the parent company’s aluminum profile needs.
As it grew, Gateway’s sales moved beyond the parent company into many other markets, requiring the company in 2014 to enter a multi-year production expansion program. Major renovations and additions to the existing factory were completed. New 7-inch and 9-inch aluminum extrusion presses were acquired, significantly increasing capacity, efficiency, and capability. A new environmentally sustainable vertical powder coat paint line was added, doubling Gateway’s throughput of finished profiles. Now more than half of Gateway’s annual production is for customers other than its parent company.
“Our customers and employees can look forward to further improvements to our facility, such as a new administrative office addition, enhancements to the exterior parking and landscaped areas, and renovations to the adjacent 200,000 sq. ft. buildings Gateway purchased,” said Ziegler. Currently these buildings are rented and fully occupied by another local manufacturing firm, keeping this industrial property economically viable. Long-term, Gateway may explore opportunities to add new production processes in Union, related to its parent company’s fenestration manufacturing operations.
Gateway’s open house preceded National Manufacturing Day on October 5, an annual event sponsored by the National Association of Manufacturers and the Manufacturing Institute to highlight modern manufacturing’s economic, career, and national strategic significance. “Manufacturing is alive and well at Gateway, and we look forward to a long, successful time here in Union,” said Ziegler.
###
Gateway Extrusions offers a wide range of aluminum extrusion services, from design through production, finishing and packaging, to the residential and commercial building and industrial product markets. With consistent quality, reduced lead times, competitive pricing and flexible design services, Gateway Extrusions is a national firm with customers across the country. For further information about Gateway Extrusions and its products, call 636-583-7755, or visit their website at www.gwextrusions.com.
