Piva Group’s 122-job expansion demonstrates Missouri’s success in attracting new foreign investment
ST. LOUIS – Gov. Jay Nixon announced today that Italian manufacturer Piva Group will open its first U.S. manufacturing facility in Ste. Genevieve. The global manufacturer of vinyl windows, doors, panels and other construction products is expected to create 122 new jobs over time at its new facility. The Governor announced the new jobs in St. Louis at a meeting of the Hawthorn Foundation, a private non-profit organization that partners with the state on economic development.
Gov. Nixon said the announcement demonstrates the state’s successful efforts to recruit more global companies to invest, expand and create jobs in Missouri. The Governor met with Piva Group officials in Milan to discuss expansion prospects while leading a trade mission to Italy, Germany and Spain this past March.
“This is great news for Ste. Genevieve, and another indication of how more global companies are seeing Missouri as a prime location for investment and job creation,” Gov. Nixon said. “Piva Group’s decision to open its first U.S. facility in Missouri demonstrates how the relationships we establish overseas can have a significant economic impact here at home. These new manufacturing jobs will add to our economic momentum, and I’m very proud to welcome Piva to the Show-Me State.”
Piva Group, a family-owned company from Italy, produces vinyl and aluminum windows and doors for the residential market, as well as vinyl and aluminum windows, doors and panels for the commercial market. The company currently distributes its products to the U.S., Canada, Mexico, Africa, Australia and Latin America.
This new 90,000 sq. ft. production facility in Ste. Genevieve will allow the company to connect quickly and efficiently with its North American customers, as well as increase its market share. Piva Group expects to install machinery and equipment in the coming weeks and be operational in August. Its initial production capacity is anticipated to grow from approximately 300 windows per day to triple that capacity over time.
“It is rewarding to bring jobs to Missouri and specifically to Ste. Genevieve, where the workforce has demonstrated an outstanding work ethic and strong values,” said Randy LaMotte, President of Piva Group North America. “This facility will provide the highest levels of quality and consistency in our products and allow us to deliver the best level of service and value available to our customers. We thank Gov. Nixon and the other state and local leaders who worked tirelessly to make our location decision a rewarding experience. Their dedication and creativity played a major role in our decision to open Piva’s first North American operation here in Missouri.”
The company’s $6.47 million expansion will provide jobs to residents in the region in the manufacturing and distribution fields as well as IT, accounting, and customer service specialists. Piva Group’s only other production facilities are located in Italy and Spain where the company employs a combined 400 workers.
“We are very excited about welcoming Piva Group to our town,” said Ste. Genevieve Mayor Richard Greminger. “When we first started working on this project, the company was looking at occupying a portion of the facility. They came back and decided to occupy the entirety of the space. This will be a significant boost to our economy. We hope that this is just the beginning and that this project will attract even more new employers to the area.”
Advanced manufacturing was identified by Gov. Nixon’s Strategic Initiative for Economic Growth as a top target for next generation job creation, and he has made attracting investments in these fields a priority of his administration.
Also indentified in the plan was development of a best-in-class foreign trade initiative, which included strategies to attract foreign investment in Missouri’s target industry clusters as well as increase exports overseas. As a result, the state has garnered major expansions from global companies operating in the manufacturing sector including Yanfeng USA Automotive, Grupo Antolin, CertainTeed Corporation, Martinrea, Universal Components Group, and LMV Automotive.
The Hawthorn Foundation, a private nonprofit created by Gov. Kit Bond in 1982, partners with the Missouri Department of Economic Development to facilitate and attract business to the state which includes providing support for international trade missions and activities.
To assist Piva Group with its expansion, DED has offered a strategic economic incentive package that the company can receive if it meets strict job creation and investment criteria. The City of Ste. Genevieve and the Missouri Partnership also are assisting with the company’s expansion.