“Even before Sandy made landfall, Silver Line by Andersen opened its doors to the Red Cross so the agency could establish a disaster response headquarters in New Jersey. After the storm destroyed thousands of homes and businesses, Silver Line by Andersen gave food, clothing and assistance to many of its employees, who were among the 116,000 New Jersey residents displaced by the damage. I thank the company for the sacrifices and dedication it demonstrated to its workers, the community and the state of New Jersey,” said Lt. Governor Guadagno.

 The letter of commendation was presented after the Lt. Governor toured the company’s plant with Commissioner Harold J. Wirths of the Department of Labor and Workforce Development. The plant is currently producing storm-resistant vinyl windows specifically designed for the Sandy rebuilding effort along the Jersey Shore. 

The storm set back production at Silver Line by Andersen for about a week after knocking out power in the region. The company brought in generators, sharing them with the American Red Cross to ensure the relief agency’s work was not interrupted. Silver Line by Andersen also continued to supply daily hot meals to its staff even after power was restored to be certain the workers had enough to eat as the clean-up ensued and the Sandy rebuilding effort began. 

The American Red Cross issued its own recognition of Silver Line by Andersen this past spring, bestowing its 2013 Culture of Caring Award on the company. The relief agency noted the company had provided a center for American Red Cross operations in the past, and that during Sandy it provided pivotal assistance for the thousands of disaster workers to coordinate and perform daily relief efforts. 

“Silver Line by Andersen’s dedication to its employees and the community was well known even before Sandy hit. I had the pleasure of visiting the company more than a year ago to honor Silver Line by Andersen for its stellar workplace safety record, and I presented the company and its jubilant crowd of employees with the Governor’s Safety and Health Recognition Award,” said Commissioner Wirths. 

The award was part of the Governor’s Occupational Safety & Health Awards Program, which recognizes public and private employers with outstanding performance in preventing workplace injuries and illnesses. Silver Line by Anderson also has participated in the Department of Labor’s customized training program to improve the workplace skills of its workers. The company was awarded a $65,400 grant by the Christie Administration in 2011, which Silver Line by Anderson used to train 137 of its employees in lean manufacturing practices, problem solving, operations management and leadership.