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By Angela Cutrer
Star Correspondent
On April 25, RiteScreen, the largest independent manufacturer of window and patio door screens in North America, celebrated a milestone 75-year anniversary with the announcement of the upcoming hiring of 25 new employees in Elizabethton to take the company to more than 100 employees locally. This is in addition to 15 new hires that occurred in the last few weeks.

To celebrate both the anniversary and the expansion of employees, RiteScreen provided a community and media event that included facility tours, one-on-one interviews and an employee appreciation lunch at the company’s Elizabethton location, 193 Judge Don Lewis Blvd.

One of seven RiteScreen manufacturing locations strategically located across the United States, the Elizabethton plant has operated under the names JWWC RiteScreen and RS7 ServiceCo.

“Under new leadership and implementation of new thought of its mission, vision and values, RiteScreen is pleased to collaborate with local industry development by investing in the East Tennessee community and workforce and incorporating a ‘People First’ philosophy to attract, develop, and retain a talented and high performing workforce,” said Scott Robertson, the chief communications officer of the Northeast Tennessee Regional Economic Hub (NETNHUB).

“RiteScreen was one of only seven facilities in northeast Tennessee and the only facility in Carter County chosen to receive a coveted Workforce Development Grant from TVA and the NETNHUB for a year of service of Anthill.

“Anthill is a messaging platform that will provide access to internal communication, including two-way SMS texting, 24/7 hour center, automated surveys, language translation, and answers to frequently asked questions. This will be a great resource for employee engagement and retention through increased communication opportunities.

“RiteScreen also received an Incumbent Worker Training Grant from the First Tennessee Development District. Through a partnership with Tennessee College of Applied Technology, current and future associates will receive additional safety training and industry specific learning opportunities designed to increase skill levels and increase employee retention for advancement within the company.”

Director of Operations BJ Gott said they rolled a few events together to create an employee appreciation day “and it went really well,” he said. “We are one of only seven in northeast Tennessee to participate in the grant and we’re really proud of that.”