Quaker Windows & Doors builds an innovative, industry leading, nationwide company in a small Central Missouri town.

South of Jefferson City, nestled in the rolling hills of Central Missouri, lies Quaker Windows & Doors, a family-owned business that stands as a testament to resilience, innovation, and family values. Headquartered in Freeburg, Missouri, Quaker was founded over 75 years ago by Harold and Marge Knoll, who believed in building things the right way — with unparalleled quality, craftsmanship, and a commitment to customer satisfaction. The Knolls could not have foreseen that their endeavor would evolve into an industry-leading window and door business, recognized coast to coast, or that it would define their family’s legacy for the next seven decades.

Quaker began as a venetian blinds business in St. Louis in 1949 and relocated to Marge’s hometown of Freeburg later that year. With 11 employees, the company quickly transitioned into storm windows and doors, expanding its product line as the building market evolved. In 1961, Quaker introduced prime aluminum windows; and by 1962, the company was recognized as a nation-wide brand known for quality windows and doors.

Over the years, Quaker has continued to innovate, evolving in both product offerings and materials — from aluminum, vinyl, and wood to advanced designs, manufacturing methods, and patented technologies. The company’s ongoing growth is reflected in its two primary divisions: residential, which includes home projects and a rapidly growing luxury segment offering architectural windows and doors for high-end properties, and commercial, which provides solutions for a wide range of architectural applications, including high-rises up to 40 stories and light commercial and hospitality projects nationwide.

Over time, the business evolved not only in their product lines but also in their physical footprint. What began as a modest office and manufacturing space has expanded to more than 1.5 million square feet (over 34 acres) across three campuses in Osage, Maries, and Miller Counties, and they continue to grow. They are currently building an additional 390,000 square feet of manufacturing space at the Eldon, Missouri, location. This new addition will create an additional 200 job openings in the region.

“Our dedication to quality, craftsmanship, and customer satisfaction has been the driving force behind our success. It’s great to work for a family-owned company that invests in its employees, products, and communities.“

Kevin Blansett, CEO

Innovation has been a core principle throughout Quaker’s story. Since 2019, Quaker’s two industry-leading patented thermal technologies, OptiCore® and SolidCore™, have set new standards in energy performance and durability, particularly in the high-end luxury home and commercial fenestration markets. Additionally, Quaker has invested in a cutting-edge innovation and design center where new and existing products undergo rigorous testing to simulate various climates, from blistering heat to subzero temperatures, and extreme conditions such as powerful winds and heavy rain. This not only allows Quaker to bring new products to the market efficiently but also solidifies the company’s reputation as a leader in quality, reliability, and design in the window and door industry.

These investments are just one example of the ongoing support from the Knoll family and Quaker’s forward-thinking board of directors, who are dedicated to supporting both the company and its people. While many nmembers of the Knolls continue to contribute to the family legacy through various roles across Quaker, the four second-generation women owners and board members fulfill a central role in shaping the company’s direction. They guide Quaker with a quiet strength, gentle intelligence, and a collaborative mindset. Often found giving back to the community and their employees, these women strive to maintain a family-oriented culture, no matter how large the company becomes.

“The more we grow, the more we can offer our employees, like paid health insurance premiums and profit sharing, which are great benefits for both future employees and current staff,” says Alex Knoll, CPQ design manager and third-generation family member.

This family-oriented mindset is embedded at Quaker and has stood the test of time, extending beyond the Knolls to the employees who have contributed to the company’s growth. It is reflected in the long careers many employees build with the company, often spanning multiple generations, as Quaker continues to maintain a culture where people are valued, ideas are encouraged, and hard work is recognized.

Despite the ever-changing market conditions, Quaker continues to innovate, leveraging advancements in technology and design to provide solutions for clients’ evolving needs.

“Our dedication to quality, craftsmanship, and customer satisfaction has been the driving force behind our success,” says CEO Kevin Blansett. “It’s great to work for a family-owned company that invests in its employees, products, and communities.”

As Quaker enters its 76th year, it remains a symbol of passion, integrity, and what’s possible when a company combines craftsmanship with innovation. With a rich legacy and a promising future, Quaker Windows & Doors remains dedicated to advancing the field of architectural fenestration and is committed to excellence for generations to come.

1949 Quaker was founded in St. Louis and relocated to Freeburg.
1954 The first aluminum storm windows and doors were produced.
1961 Quaker introduced prime aluminum replacement windows.
1985 Quaker rolled out vinyl windows as the building industry shifted again.
1988 Quaker became one of the first companies to manufacture aluminum, vinyl, and wood clad windows in the same location.
1990 Quaker transitioned to second-generation leadership, as Harold Knoll, Jr. assumed the position of GM/executive VP.
1999 Quaker celebrated 50 years with 400 employees.
2004 A 65,000 square foot building for glass manufacturing and tempering facility was erected.
2012 A 110,000 square foot powder coat paint facility was added, and Kevin Blansett was announced as CEO.
2016 A 185,000 square foot manufacturing facility for vinyl windows and doors was completed
2018 The South campus added a 185,0000 square foot facility for all wood window and door manufacturing and groundbreaking was held for a 200,000 square foot facility in Eldon.
2019 Quaker’s patented OptiCore® Technology was released, and Quaker was added to the Inc. 5000 list of Most Successful Companies in America for 2019.
2022 Phase II expansion of Eldon Campus was completed, bringing manufacturing space to over 400,000square feet with future expansions coming in 2025.
2024 Quaker’s Innovation Center opened, adding 50,000square feet to conduct additional research, have more development capacity, and testing facilities on-site.