YKK AP America Inc. (YKK AP), a leading manufacturer of award-winning commercial facade systems and residential doors and windows, today announced it will raise its minimum starting wage to $15 an hour. The change will be effective beginning this Labor Day, Sept. 6.

YKK AP America’s new minimum wage program will affect new and existing associates. While the vast majority of company employees already exceed the new minimum, this move will have a positive impact on a portion of the company’s entry-level production associates at commercial and residential manufacturing centers in Middle Georgia, where the company has its primary operations.  

“As a manufacturer that is invested deeply in our workforce and in our communities, we feel strongly that adopting the new minimum wage policy is the right thing to do,” said Oliver Stepe, president of YKK AP America Inc. “In addition to allowing us to attract and retain talent at a time when the labor shortage is affecting companies across the country, the new minimum wage is an important step for us as we continue to evolve our culture to provide support and stability for our associates and the communities in which we operate.”

From its inception, YKK AP’s culture has been rooted in YKK’s founding belief of the Cycle of Goodness® which states that “No one prospers without rendering benefit to others.” The philosophy infuses every aspect of YKK AP’s business, its culture, and the way it interacts with society.

YKK AP is actively hiring associates in its residential and commercial manufacturing centers in Macon and Dublin, Ga. In addition to a strong culture and a competitive wage, YKK AP associates receive several benefits:

• Comprehensive health care options, including dental and vision

• Employer-paid life insurance

• Employer-paid short-and-long term disability insurance

• Wellness program

• 401k matching

• Paid time-off

• Employee Assistance Fund, whichhelps fellow associates facing financial hardship.

• Children’s Scholarship Program, which helps to fund dependent children of full-time associates seeking enrollment in a two or four-year college, university or vocational school with 100% of the scholarship program expenses and awards.

To learn more about careers at YKK AP, go to www.ykkap.com/careers.