Two of Fortune Brands’ Ohio-based Home & Hardware companies will begin an integration process, the company announced this week. Urethane millwork manufacturer Fypon, based in Archbold, Ohio, and entry door maker Therma-Tru, located in Maumee, will merge to offer the parent company “significant cost efficiencies and sales synergies in a persistently challenging residential housing market,” Fortune Brands said in a press release.
“The merger brings two great brands together and offers the best opportunity to grow the Fypon brand,” adds Fypon president Tom Riscili. “A key benefit of this merger is that Fypon will now have national sales coverage provided by the Therma-Tru sales team enhanced by several members of our Fypon sales team. We believe Fypon has a great future ahead as part of the Therma-Tru family.”
Moving forward with the merger, product offerings for both brands will remain unchanged. Many Fypon corporate departments in Archbold will be integrated with Therma-Tru’s, and will relocate either to Maumee or to Therma-Tru’s manufacturing facility in Butler, Ind. Fypon’s customer service team will remain in Archbold, as will the brand’s manufacturing operations, which will continue to run all distribution, fabrication, quick-rail, and column wrap activities. A small percentage of Fypon’s polyurethane production will be relocated to the company’s overseas facility in Yantai, China. The change will result in the elimination of approximately 30 salaried and 19 hourly positions.
“I understand and regret that these decisions will impact many of our employees and their families,” Riscili said. “As always, Fypon is committed to providing all of our employees with fair and respectful treatment. We will offer transition assistance, as well as job search training for any employees who will be affected by the merger. This decision is in no way reflective of the efforts or commitment of our Fypon employees.”
The merger is expected to be completed by the end of the first quarter of 2010. --Lauren Hunter, associate editor, REMODELING.
