Saturday, September 01, 2007

Pella owns EFCO, now what?

The postmortem on the most recent big deal in our industry...

For EFCO...

A change from a family owned business to being a division of a gigantic company should be interesting. Some people like working for family businesses, and others don't, so this change may be as much as a benefit for some as a distraction for others.

The worry about your job is probably a big one for a lot of EFCO salespeople. Especially the manufacturer reps. No matter what the press release says, there's just no way that Pella will carry separate sets of salespeople. While it won't happen right way, it will happen. The question is who would Pella keep.. the current Pella group that knows little of commercial and nothing about aluminum or the EFCO folks who are all commercial and would be weak on the res side

Will they truly be melded into the Pella culture? That is always a major issue in deals like this A lot has been made that Pella and EFCO both being heartland type companies think the same so the culture should transfer. But just because your close in location does not mean you see things the same way. Plus EFCO folks will have to be aware that they me thought of us the ugly stepsister- a syndrome that happens when a big company comes in and tries to assert itself.

For PELLA

Welcome to the commercial world truly. Its a weeeeeeeee bit different than your used to. Should be interesting to see how they react.

I guess those snarky ads ripping aluminum will have to go into mothballs huh? Yes Pella runs ads that degrade aluminum, and now you own a huge aluminum producer.... guess you need to start understanding and promoting aluminum eh?

Pella now will have more to do with my favorite folks at NFRC. Yes they know the drill well from the residential side, but maybe they'll see why the commercial side is different now that they own a piece.

Will Pella get involved in the other commercial industry activities? Will they show up at GANA and get involved at AEC and so on? They should and if they don't that would be sad.

Bottom line:
Should be interesting to see how the cultures truly mix and how Pella deals with being totally out of its element. Plus the collateral damage of the people who could lose their jobs is somewhat depressing, but with this industry ALWAYS looking for good people, I have a feeling anyone who wants to bolt will find a safe landing spot.

Now we do move on, and the rumblings of the next big deal have actually started.. yes, at least 2 more deals are percolating... as soon as I have more I'll post it...

10 comments:

Anonymous said...

www.pellacommercial.com

Max Perilstein said...

Thanks for the post- I assume you put the link to show that Pella indeed does commercial... however in the big picture, they don't do TRUE commercial like EFCO.. really comparing them on the commercial side would be like comparing Peyton Manning and a Junior Hugh QB... one has all the tools, and other is a novice.
This is what I think many people will watch going forward, if Pella tries to impose any will on EFCO...

Thanks again for reading the blog...
Max

Anonymous said...

Reduction of workforce started at EFCO 9/11/07

Max Perilstein said...

NO!! That can't be right- please tell me you are joking. Feel free to e-mail me if you have details or post here, but that is depressing.

Anonymous said...

I am pretty sure the RIF isn't true, how could it possibly be true during peak season finishing up before the winter? I know EFCO is only going to be a small part of Pella's operations, maybe at best 20%, but I am sure the upper management will not be making any drastic changes at first. As you have pointed it out, the commercial market is a little bit different then trade and retail.

I do think the comment Max made about Manning and a Junior Hugh (or is that High) quarterback is at least worth a chuckle, but I think it would be a better comparision to say that Mark Cuban ponied up a signing bonus for an established free agent.

Just my thoughts, most of my view is from what I know of Pella.

Max Perilstein said...

Very interesting concept on the Cuban thing.. that does make more sense...

And I agree on the reduction rumor, that really would blow me away.

Thanks for reading and posting.

Anonymous said...

Reduction, I don't think so.

P.S.
MIKE FARQUHAR NAMED EFCO PRESIDENT AND COO, Should move to Mo. this fall.

Max Perilstein said...

I assume he comes from Pella?

Anonymous said...

Yes , Mike joined Pella in 1995 .
On the reduction , they had meetings with department T.L.s to cut back production and hours in most of the departments.

Max Perilstein said...

Still stunned on the reductions...

Thanks for the heads up and background on the new leader...