Merced window manufacturer expanding its operations

A blue star of light reached from Rodney Livingston's welding torch like a glowing insect across the factory floor.

As the glare receded, the 45,000-square-foot factory on Merced's south side came into view: stacks of windows leaned against one another. Silver aluminum skylight frames were stacked on the ground.

The busy sounds of manufacturing filled the air. Saws chewed at glass, drills punched into aluminum and several radios blared their competing noise, as a building full of men at work buzzed with energy.

For more than a decade, the family-run O'Keeffe's Inc. has built things here.

This specialty window, ladder and skylight manufacturer, based in San Francisco, employs 75 people at its only manufacturing location in Merced, according to an Oct. 16 McClatchy report.