In an effort to keep up with increasing customer demands, YKK AP America Inc. (YKK AP) plans to expand its residential window plant in Macon, Ga. Slated to begin production in January 2015, the expansion will allow YKK AP to double the plant’s production capacity.

In recent years, YKK AP has experienced an increase in product demand due to the recovering U.S. housing market. In addition to the growth in sales, the company expanded its product offerings to better meet the needs of the U.S. market.

“Since we began our residential production on the Macon campus in 2007, we’ve seen increased demand for our product lines, especially for our built-to-order vinyl windows,” said Craig Marple, sales and marketing manager for YKK AP’s residential division. “The expansion will give us an opportunity to further improve service and provide a stable supply to customers. Our hope is to continue to grow our production efforts at the Macon plant and expand our residential business operations to further accommodate the growing market.”

YKK AP will relocate its production lines into a larger building on its Macon campus and add two new production lines dedicated to vinyl window and multi-layered glass production.

“New jobs and investment are the heart and soul of our economic health here in Macon and we celebrate this especially good news with our YKK friends,” said Walt Miller, chairman, Macon Economic Development Commission. “This YKK expansion continues the pattern of confidence companies are placing on our Middle Georgia work force, our ideal location and our excellent transportation to and from markets and suppliers.”

The Macon campus first opened as a zipper production plant for YKK in 1974 and is celebrating its 40th anniversary this year. Since then, the campus has grown substantially and now employs 673 workers in the Fastening and Architectural Products divisions. The plant is a key part of the community and donates both time and finances to a variety of civic organizations, including the Greater Macon Chamber of Commerce, United Way, Mercer University, the Macon Cherry Blossom Festival, and the Macon-Kurobe sister city exchange.

“We are excited to hear YKK is expanding its operation here and remaining committed to the success of our community for the past 40 years,” said Robert Reichert, Macon-Bibb County mayor. “They, their employees, and their families have been involved at multiple levels of government and civic organizations, and I’m looking forward to the involvement this expansion could bring.”

For more information on YKK AP America, please visit http://www.ykkap.com/.