YKK AP America Inc. (YKK AP), a leading manufacturer of award-winning commercial facade systems and residential doors and windows, today announced the acquisition of high-performance facades solutions provider, Erie Architectural Products Group (Erie AP).
Founded in 1981 by Ron and Nellie Stronks, Erie AP has grown to become a leader in the curtain wall industry with over 250 employees in the US and Canada. Headquartered in Lakeshore, Ont., Erie AP engineers, manufactures and distributes its ENVIRO|FACADES® curtain wall systems across the US. It provides design assist collaboration services, in-house engineering services, performance validation, state-of-the-art manufacturing and technical support to glazing contractors.
Ron Stronks, president of Erie AP, with Oliver Stepe, president of YKK AP America
This strategic acquisition demonstrates the significance of where the construction market is trending. Increasingly tight schedules and rapid building close-ins along with a shortage of skilled labor have created a demand for fabricated, pre-assembled products, an area of specialization for Erie AP, and an area of focused growth for YKK AP.
“Through YKK AP’s decade-long relationship as a supplier to Erie AP, we have learned that the companies share tremendous synergy when it comes to our core values and customer and employee centric philosophies,” said Oliver Stepe, president of YKK AP America Inc. “As we looked to the future of our business, it was clear that we needed to grow our offering for prefabricated, pre-assembled products. By bringing Erie AP under the YKK AP umbrella, we are making a progressive move to meet what we see as a growing market demand for unitized products. At the same time, YKK AP’s broad product line will help enhance Erie AP’s position in the market and allow them to further serve their customers. I am excited for this opportunity, and I feel confident that these two great brands will come together as one great company.”
Ron, who founded the company, continues to run it today along with his sons Chris and Dan and a highly experienced leadership team. Ron will remain integrally involved in the business and continue to lead Erie AP as its president with a steadfast commitment to growth, quality and service for both employees and customers.
“As we explored what was next for Erie AP and what would bring long-term stability and continued growth to our customers and employees, we knew we wanted to take on a strategic partner that could help take our company to the next level. A decade of experience in working with YKK AP affirmed our belief that it was the right partner – and the only partner – for Erie AP,” highlighted Ron. “YKK AP will provide our employees with a rich pathway for career development and growth. In addition, the powerful combination of a quality product company like YKK AP working together with a specialized facades business like ours will open up tremendous opportunities for growth for our customers, for our employees, and for the industry at large.”
With the acquisition of Erie AP, YKK AP grows to well over 1,000 employees in North America. In addition to its manufacturing facilities in Dublin and Macon, Ga., Cincinnati, Ohio and Dallas, Tx., the company will acquire Erie AP’s headquarters and manufacturing facility in Lakeshore, Ont.
To learn more about YKK AP America’s commercial facade systems and residential doors and windows, go to www.ykkap.com. To learn more about Erie AP’s facade solutions, go to www.erieap.com.
ABOUT YKK AP AMERICA
YKK AP America Inc. is a technology-oriented manufacturer of commercial façade systems and residential doors and windows. With every finished good, we push the boundaries in next generation manufacturing and create value for architectural applications. Driven by a desire to provide exceptional service in our markets, YKK AP America builds upon our foundation of advanced engineering, vertically integrated manufacturing, and customer focus to deliver the highest level of quality at a competitive price. Headquartered in Austell, Ga., all building products are manufactured in our world-class production facilities located in Dublin, Ga. and Macon, Ga. YKK AP America Inc. is a subsidiary of YKK Corporation of America, whose parent company is global manufacturer YKK Corporation of Japan.
For more information, visit ykkap.com and follow us on Linkedin.com.
ABOUT ERIE ARCHITECTURAL PRODUCTS GROUP
Erie Architectural Products Group engineers, manufactures and distributes its proprietary ENVIRO|FACADES® curtain wall systems across the United States through partnerships with the nation’s premier glazing contractors. It is headquartered in Lakeshore, Ont., with an office in Novi, Mich. For more information, visit Erie at erieap.com.
