Gordon Aluminum

Purpose Extruded Aluminum Company (PEACO)

In 1958, Alexander Gordon purchased the stock of an aluminum extrusion company in Hudson, Michigan, called Purpose Extruded Aluminum Company (PEACO). Gordon's Detroit-based "Gordon Aluminum, Inc." produced a number of different aluminum-based products, including "intricate profiles to very close tolerances, such as alumium heat sinks for the electronics industry." 

In 1966, the Gordons purchased the Marathon County window wall manufacturing company, Engineered Curtainwall, which had somewhat conflict-ridden history producing window-wall systems in Antigo and then Schofield.

But Schofield was a great location for manufacturing, especially when set against Hudson, which was relatively isolated in southern Michigan.  And so by the end of the decade, GA decided to relocate PEACO to Schofield, and by 1971 Purpose Extruded was operating out of the former Engineered Curtainwall facilities on Schofield's Mason Street.

In 1988, Alexander Gordon passed away, leaving the company in the hands of his son Alfred "Jack" Gordon. PEACO, a division of Gordon Aluminum, expanded to offer a number of other products and services beyond their aluminum extrusion, including anodizing and finishing. In 1992, they opened a facility to produce their Alumitech brand windows in Merrill.

The 1980s saw several changes to address the environmental impact of PEACO’s factory. Hot extrusion of aluminum is a very water-intensive process  

A pond that had been used to dump sludge was scrutinized (which became public knowledge after a former employee tried to blackmail the Gordons or have the details of the pollution leaked to the press). But after a few years of challenges in cleaning up the pond--which was deemed to not contain dangerous chemicals.

"Strategic Alliance" and Gordon Aluminum

In 2004, PEACO came to an agreement with Apogee to consolidate the aluminum finishing business. This “strategic alliance” led to Linetec providing anodizing services for PEACO, and in exchange PEACO ceased painting and anodizing operations. This same year, Wausau Window and Wall purchased the Alumitech line from PEACO. From 2005 on, PEACO would focus on their core business of aluminum extruding and fabrication. This new streamlined business would also be known exclusively as Gordon Aluminum from 2007 on.

A lighting strike in 2008 led to a devastating fire that extensively damaged the 43 year old facility. Production continued at their secondary plant while the main facility was rebuilt. 

The post-fire era led to changes in Gordon Aluminum, from a reorganization of the plant floor for better safety and efficacy, to a new focus on customer relations.