Pro Installer April 2014 - Issue 13 | Page 2

2 APRIL 2014 PRO INSTALLER PRO NEWS www.proinstaller.co.uk » Continued from the front page ISSUE 13 April 2014 If you would like to find out more about the PRO Installer: Write to: Unit 2-3 Burleigh Court, Burleigh Street, Barnsley, S70 1XY. Tel: [phone] Fax: [phone] Email: [email protected] All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronically or mechanically without the consent of Clearview Group Ltd and any of its subsidiaries. the Year at last year’s G13 Awards. MD Ian Bruce said: “From the very beginning we have installed VEKA and began sourcing from Glazerite last July. Thistle has always put great importance of the level of service we deliver to our own customers so it is really a pleasure to deal with a fabricator that thinks the same way.” Glazerite’s achievement, which amounts to more than half a million windows made since 2000, follows average growth of nearly 30% a year for the past 12 years and in this year alone January and February’s figures are up 43% on the same period last year. Glazerite is VEKA’s largest trade fabricator in the UK ‘half a million windows made since 2000’ as well as a prominent and long-standing Network VEKA member. It offers a fully nationwide service based on manufacturing units in Northants and Greater Manchester as well as a distribution hub in Bristol serving South Wales and The West of England. www.glazeritewindows.co.uk ANOTHER MAJOR ACQUISITION FOR THE VEKA GROUP Strengthening its international presence. The worldwide VEKA Group, the world’s leading producer of PVC-U profile systems for windows and doors, is to acquire GEALAN Holding GmbH from the owner, financial investor Halder Beratungsbeteiligung. The deal includes all subsidiaries and activities of GEALAN within Europe. By acquiring its competitor GEALAN – a company that has been established and well-known on the market for many years and that has recently been relying more heavily on a differentiation strategy – the VEKA Group says it is strengthening its competitive position in Germany, Europe, and the rest of the world. GEALAN has two factories in Germany, along with others in Russia and Poland. In addition to this there are a further nine sales offices across Europe in countries such as Italy, Croatia and Romania. The company offers a comprehensive product range and along with VEKA, is widely Whilst every effort is made to ensure accuracy, this publication does not accept liability for errors, printing or otherwise appearing in this publication. The views expressed by contributors are not necessarily those of the editor or publisher. considered to be one of the premier profile brands in the World. Andreas Hartleif, CEO of the VEKA Group, comments: ‘As an essential partner for European window manufacturers, we have to face the challenges of the market. That’s why we are strengthening our own competitive situation and, by combining our extensive expertise in profile technology, we will tap further market potential and opportunities for turnover. Additionally, we are contributing to the consolidation of the market place.’ The family-owned VEKA Group employs more than 3,600 people at 25 subsidiaries on three continents around the world. Some 1,300 of them work at the company’s headquarters in Sendenhorst. The VEKA Group generated €793 million in turnover in 2013. Internationally, more than 2,200 fabricators use VEKA systems to create top-quality PVC-U products. With its takeover of GEALAN Holding GmbH from financial investor Halder, the Group will be increasing its staff once again, by 1,150 employees, and its total annual turnover will reach more than €1 billion. Dave Jones, The VEKA UK Group Managing Director commented: “The VEKA UK Group is pleased to announce the acquisition of GEALAN by the Worldwide VEKA Group. As many of us in the industry are aware, the current market is extremely difficult, yet VEKA has continued to invest in its systems, people and plants across the world and is now in the position to de monstrate further investment and stability with this acquisition.” Dave Jones added: “Whilst the acquisition of GEALAN will not impact directly on The VEKA UK Group – it will continue to be business as usual for us in the UK - it is positive news for VEKA and Halo fabricators as it reinforces our Group’s stability and vision for long term investment. We believe this is fantastic news for customers of The VEKA UK Group and indeed VEKA users worldwide, as there is now one clear choice for fabricators and installers wishing to partner with a secure, stable profile manufacturer.” K2’S New Directory Helps Installers On The Web The K2 Conservatories website features a new online Directory function designed to enable UK homeowners to search by postcode and quickly find K2 product installers operating in their local area. Homeowners can select a search radius of 5, 10, 25, 50 or 100 miles distance from their home address location to find K2 suppliers across a range of product categories including new conservatory roofs, replacement conservatory roofs, DIY kit conservatories, lantern roofs, Celsius performance glass, orangeries, the Capella hybrid orangery and K2 roof spare parts. 100 installers have already registered on the new K2 Directory and Synseal would like to double that number to 200 in time for this year’s fine weather installation season. Verified purchasers who directly retail to UK homeowners can also apply for K2 Registered Installer status to gain additional sales leads from the Synseal Homeowner website. K2 Marketing Manager, Anne-Marie Busch says: “Consumers search online to find capable tradesmen and our K2 website attracts thousands of visitors. I’d encourage all experienced K2 roof and orangery installers to email marketing@ k2conservatories.co.uk and we will ensure their business contact details are uploaded onto the online Directory without delay.”