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...