Serious Energy CEO Addresses FTC Settlement, Plant Sit-in
February 29, 2012

Serious Energy Inc. of Sunnyvale, Calif., has been in the news the last week for two reasons: The Federal Trade Commission's (FTC) settlement with the company on energy pledges and the company's Chicago plant sit-in.

Kevin Surace, chairman and CEO of Serious Energy, addressed the two issues in his blog for Door & Window Manufacturer magazine, USGNN.com™/USGlass magazine's sister publication. Click here to read the blog.

In its complaint, the FTC alleged that Gorell Enterprises Inc. of Indiana, Pa., Long Fence & Home, LLLP of Beltsville, Md., THV Holdings LLC of Charleston, W. Va., Winchester Industries of Saltsburg, Pa., and Serious Energy, engaged in deceptive practices by making unsupported energy-efficiency and money-savings claims. In some cases, the companies claimed that consumers could cut their energy bills in half by using replacement windows alone, according to the FTC complaint.

In the second issue, Serious Energy officials announced late on February 23 that the company would cease operations of its Chicago-based facility for manufacturing windows and glass products to consolidate operations in two other existing facilities. Shortly after that announcement, a statement dated February 24 announced that Serious and the United Electrical Workers Union Local 1110 had come to an agreement "to resolve yesterday's situation at the Chicago-based window facility."

"Members of the press received incomplete and incorrect information that Serious Energy would be closing the facility immediately," reads the statement from Serious. "The Chicago plant remains open at this time, and the parties are working together to find a new owner if possible and explore all other options. Both UE and Serious Energy apologize for any resulting confusion."

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