Clearview National February 2019 - Issue 207 | Page 34

PROUD SPONSOR OF DOORS & WINDOWS DOORS&WINDOWS VEKA Group: Why we’re not sorry to be ‘safe’ in 2019 » » WITH EVERY NEW YEAR, COMES new beginnings, and there will be many people making personal and professional resolutions; usually to try something different, stop doing something they don’t like, or overhaul themselves in a radical way. Industry- leading systems supplier VEKA Group, however, has taken a different pledge this new year, to stay the same; and to remain a ‘safe pair of hands’ when the industry needs it most. Sales Director Neil Evans explains: “‘Uncertainty’ is a word that hasn’t been far from many mouths since the EU referendum. And heading towards the Brexit deadline in March, anxiety is building across all industries. For fenestration - which has been faced with a relatively flat market for some time - the many discussions surrounding trade, construction and access to raw materials seem to be fuelling a fear of the unknown. “At VEKA, however, we have always had a reputation for reliability, stability, and support. This attitude was at the core of the company from the very beginning. And as we move into 2019 – our 50th year as a global business – VEKA systems are the most specified in the world. We remain a family-run global group with the same values as 1969. That is something we are ‘certain’ of. “Last year, as we sadly saw many companies close their doors and cease trading, we continued to make investments in people, plant, and technology. In fact, at the beginning of 2018 we pledged to invest £5M to expand our manufacturing capacity by 40 000 sq ft – in particular, the VEKA lamination department, which increased capacity by 50% – and that’s exactly what we did.” Throughout 2018, VEKA Group added Anthracite Grey Smooth to the ex-stock list (of 16 Variations colours), perfected our colour-matched laminated mouldings, released a slimmer sightline FlushSash, unveiled our clip-on cills, and offered large Halo outer frames. This investment wasn’t just to make VEKA look good, it was give customers even more support in product and service, along with better lead times, allowing them to grow and develop as businesses, passing that reassurance to their customers. 34 » F EB 2019 » CL EARVI E W- UK . C O M “Looking forward, we have new product launches in the pipeline, which will not only bolster our fabricators’ and installers’ portfolios, but continue to highlight VEKA’s commitment to design and development, and our dedication to UK manufacturing,” continues Neil. “With our strong heritage and the support of our global family, we are always evolving and further strengthening our reputation for quality, service and trust, even when other sectors might be ‘on pause’. With our own on-site, technically-advanced mixing plant, we can also offer an unparalleled level of stability to UK customers.” Away from the ‘factory floor’, VEKA also took on a record number of apprentices in 2018, raised thousands of pounds for local and national charities, received a MoD Employer Recognition Award for support of servicemen and their families, and was shortlisted for multiple industry awards. VEKA Group was also named ‘Employer of the Year’ at the Red Rose Awards, ‘Best Systems Supplier’ at the National Fenestration Awards, and held its own long-service lunch – in recognition of its employees’ loyalty and continuing hard work. “People mean everything to us at VEKA; whether colleagues, customers, consumers, or people in our community. In the mid-eighties when the door and window industry was tarnished with the bad reputation of shoddy products and pushy salespeople, VEKA didn’t hide in the shadows, we launched Independent Network (previously Network VEKA) to allow genuine craftsmen of the industry to have the support they needed to do their best work with the backing of a national brand, and let the public know that there were still people and products to trust in double glazing. VEKA continues to support its customers and Independent Network members at every level; giving them all the tools they need to succeed, from marketing and sales support; to guarantees, training, technical assistance and much, much more. “This, on top of our own £10M stock of profile, increased raw materials levels, recently expanded lamination capacity, and our industry-leading, purpose-built facility in Burnley, means ‘deal or no deal’, ‘today or tomorrow’, ‘big job or small job’, our customers – existing or new – don’t need to worry. “And, if ‘safe’ is a boring word, then call us boring. “Then call us on 01282 716611 to see how ‘boring’ could help your business grow.” For more information on VEKA Group, or any of the above please call 01282 716611 or email [email protected]