On August 1, 1903, Hans J. Andersen founded Andersen Corporation.

Originally founded as Andersen Lumber Company, the company’s early days coincide with the logging boom along the St. Croix River. Hans, his wife Sarah and his three children, arrived in Hudson, Wisc., just across the river from the company’s current headquarters in Bayport, Minn. in the late 1890s.

Hans came across a challenging situation: millions of board feet of logs were stranded on the Wisconsin side of the St. Croix River. These logs had to get to the nearest railroad depot in Afton, Minn., but the owners dared not transport it across the unsafe ice. Hans took that dare, purchased the lumber and, after careful study, rigged a temporary bridge with the longest timbers and skidded the lumber across before spring melted away the opportunity. 

Hans went on to manage a sawmill and retail lumberyard. He opened the Andersen Lumber Company in partnership with his wife and children in 1903. 

At the time, window frames were built as needed by local carpenters, lumberyards and millwork shops. There were no standardized sizes, and air and moisture leaks were common, as was the resulting rot and damage.

With the industrial revolution spurring innovation and a move toward machine manufacturing and mass production, Hans quickly adapted this business model to produce standard window frame bundles. In 1905, the “two bundle” method established standard window sizes, allowing Andersen to mass produce window frames and create interchangeable parts. The windows offered builders consistent, accurate construction at a low cost. Now, a carpenter could assemble and install a window frame in 10 minutes.

Since then, Andersen Corporation has grown into a global industry leader, renowned for its products as well as its principles. Through good times and hard times, the legacy of the company's founders has inspired its employees to find ways to adapt and thrive.