Quaker Window Products was founded in 1949 by Marge (1919-2013) & Harold (1914-1994) Knoll, who established a business philosophy in the beginning years that has stood the test of time. The philosophy includes a dedication to detailed workmanship and responsive service.
1949 | Quaker Shade Co. was started by Harold & Marge Knoll in St. Louis. Later that year, it relocated to Marge’s hometown of Freeburg, Missouri. |
1952 | By the end of 1952, Quaker had 11 employees on the payroll. |
1954 | The company began making aluminum storm windows and storm doors. |
1957 | Quaker had grown to 65 employees. Also, an article in Building Specialties magazine stated Marge Knoll was “probably the only woman general manager of a window company in the country.” |
1961 | The Knoll’s saw a huge market opportunity, and introduced Quaker’s first aluminum replacement windows. |
1962 | LIFE Magazine referred to Quaker as a nationally-recognized brand for quality windows. |
1963 | The company now had more than 150 employees |
1964 | Quaker officially changed their name to Quaker Window Products Company |
1974 | Quaker observed their 25th anniversary. |
1979 | The peak of the storm window and storm door industry as Quaker regularly produced more than 2,000 of these products a day. |
1982 | Quaker expanded its prime window production area and now had more than 6 acres of manufacturing space under roof. |
1983 | The company was up to 225 employees. |
1985 | Quaker began making vinyl windows. |
1988 | Wood clad windows were added. Quaker was now one of the first companies manufacturing aluminum, vinyl and wood windows in the same location. |
1990 | A huge growth period, Quaker’s largest to date, began. Harold Knoll, Jr. assumed the position of General Manager/Executive Vice-President. |
1996 | Ground was broken on the largest building to date on Quaker’s main site, a 55,000 sq. ft. aluminum production building. |
1997 | Tom Knoll became GM/Executive Vice-President. |
1999 | Quaker marked their 50th anniversary and now had more than 400 employees. |
2004 | Mike Knoll became company GM/Exec. Vice-President. A 65,000 sq. ft. building was erected on a new campus, 2 miles south of the main plant. It was home to a new glass manufacturing and tempering facility and was the biggest ever built by Quaker. |
2009 | The company’s 60th anniversary was celebrated. |
2012 | Quaker expanded once more, and again, it was their biggest building to date. Mike Knoll’s foresight became a state-of-the-art powder coat paint facility. At 110,000 sq. ft., it was affably referred to as “Mike’s Monster”. Kevin Blansett named CEO in December. |
2013 | An entire plant modernization project was kicked off. It included a large addition to the existing aluminum production facilities built in 1997. |
2014 | Quaker’s 65th anniversary was commemorated by more than 600 employees. A major office expansion and renovation began and would be completed early the next year. |
2016 | A 185,000 sq. ft. manufacturing facility, dedicated solely to vinyl windows and doors was completed. It took over the distinction of being Quaker’s largest building to date. Other expansion and renovation work was completed in Quaker’s main plant, glass plant and main office. |
2018 | Quaker’s south campus saw another 185,000 sq. ft. facility open in January. It would house all wood window and door manufacturing. Employee count overall had now reached more than 950. In November, a ground-breaking ceremony was held in Eldon, MO – site for the next Quaker expansion. Work on a new 200,000 sq. ft. building had begun by the end of the year. |
2019 | In January, Quaker began full production of a new, trailblazing window series called OptiCore™, the most innovative product ever developed by the company. The patented window earned rave reviews from industry experts and put Quaker at the forefront of the luxury home market. As well it became a force in the commercial window industry. Later that summer, for the first time in its history, Quaker had more than 1,000 employees. |
2020 | Phase 1 of Quaker’s Eldon expansion project was completed in May — a 200,000 sq. ft. manufacturing and office building. Approximately 200 people are expected to work there once the facility is at full capacity. |