Quaker History

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.