– Simonton Windows says it will relocate its corporate headquarters to Columbus, OH. The Fortune Brands, Inc. unit - a sister company to MasterBrand Cabinets and Therma-Tru Doors - says the transition from its base in Parkersburg, WV, will be completed in June 2011.

Simonton Window's move is being supported by $1.54 million from the Ohio Dept. of Development, in the form of a 55 percent job creation tax credit for an eight-year term. The State of Ohio says the window and patio door manufacturer's  relocation will cost more than $1.1 million, including leasing of the building for its new corporate headquarters, and will create 85 jobs in Columbus.

“This move fully supports our vision of becoming a more consumer-oriented company,"" says Mark Savan, president of Simonton Windows. Simonton’s new corporate office space is on the second floor above retail outlets in Columbus's Easton Town Center complex. The location, says Savan, “has excellent accessibility for our customers and vendors, numerous amenities for our employees and a consumer-products orientation.”

Simonton Windows plans to retain its current Parkersburg, WV operation for customer service, marketing services and information technology. Simonton says the corporate office move to Columbus will have no impact on the manufacturing facilities located in California, Illinois, Oklahoma and West Virginia. 

"Columbus provides us with greater accessibility to our national customer base and suppliers, and is more centrally located between our manufacturing facilities in West Virginia, Illinois, Oklahoma and California," says Savan. "At the same time, we’re pleased to maintain our deep roots in West Virginia.”

Founded in 1946, Simonton is part of the home and security business of Fortune Brands, Inc. (NYSE: FO), which is in the midst of splitting into three units.