19 layoffs coming to Fort Myers as window installation hub closes

Pella Corp., an Iowa windows and doors company, is shutting down three installation hubs in Florida, including one in Fort Myers that will lead to 19 layoffs.

The company notified state and local officials of the coming closure and job cuts Monday in a series of identical letters to meet federal Worker Adjustment Retraining and Notification requirements.

Pella says in the letters it is closing Avanti Installation Hubs in Medley and West Palm Beach, as well as in Fort Myers. In all, across the three sites, 52 jobs will be cut. Two Arizona-based support employees are also being laid off.

The Fort Myers facility is at 16361 Lee Road in the Alico Logistics Center. The jobs being eliminated include installers and a sales manager.

Employees' last day will be Feb. 15.

In the letters, Pella says the decision to shut the three sites comes after a review of operational performance and market conditions. Based on that review, it found that given the current volume at the three sites they are “no longer sustainable.”

It went on to say that despite effort to cut costs and improve sales, the three hubs continued to decline, leading to losses.

“Closing (the sites) is a necessary step to align resources with market realities and ensure the long-term viability of the company,” the letter says.

“This decision was made after careful consideration of all alternatives and is based solely on the lack of sufficient business to support ongoing operations.”

A company spokesperson says in an email that the closings are isolated and that three other Florida facilities — in Jacksonville, Orlando and Tampa — will remain in operation.