IN GOOD COMPANY:
The new and improved INDEPENDENT NETWORK
T
he evolution of Network
VEKA into Independent
Network in May was the
culmination of extensive
market research in order
to drive significant growth plans
but rather than the announcement
signifying an end point, it was just
the beginning.
For an organisation that has always
focussed on the quality, respectability
and reliability of its members, it has
been crucial that the process and
progress of the rebrand considered
companies that had been with the
Network for two decades, just as much
as appealing to new members, and that
is exactly what the VEKA Group has
strived for at every stage. Just weeks
after the announcement was made
at the annual Members’ Weekend in
Warwick, several new companies joined
the installer support organisation and
the first six showroom makeovers were
underway to incorporate the new look
branding.
VEKA Group’s Marketing Director Dawn
Stockell said: “When we unveiled
Independent Network, it was without
doubt one of the biggest changes in
Network VEKA’s 20-year history. The
response so far has been fantastic
and it’s been great welcoming new
members at the same time as seeing
long-standing installers and fabricators
getting a well-deserved update to
their showrooms, websites, vans and
brochures.
“Some members have been a part of
the Network since the very beginning
in 1996 and they have each helped get
us to where we are today, but also, for
new members, there has never been a
better time to join. Companies that join
Independent
Network now will have the unique
opportunity to benefit from all the
positive progression that current
“For new
members, there
has never been a
better time to join.
Companies that
join Independent
Network now will
have the unique
opportunity to
benefit from
all the positive
progression that
current members
have contributed
to, while also
being at the very
cusp of exciting
times ahead.”
DAWN STOCKELL,
VEKA Group Marketing Director
members have contributed to, while
also being at the very cusp of some
exciting times ahead.”
A major part of being in the Network
for fabricators and local installers has
always been about benefiting from the
support of a national company, but still
retaining the ‘feel’ of a family business.
Independent Network reinforces the
message of having the individuality
and personal touch of an independent
business, but also includes the ‘Powered
By VEKA’ endorsement so consumers
have the added assurance that their
local, friendly window or door fitter
is backed by the number one PVC-U
systems supplier in the UK and around
the world.
Karen Lund, Head of Partner
Programmes for VEKA Group added:
“It seems fitting that as part of the
home improvement industry, we should
also strive to improve our own brand
message; the way that consumers
recognise us and the qualities we bring
to the industry. When we first started
working on Independent Network we
had to ask ourselves: ‘How does an
organisation established for over 20
years continue to support its members
and retain its hard-earned reputation
with the public while appealing to new
companies and progressing?’
“The consumer research we invested
in confirmed that we are – and always
have been - on the right track when
it comes to putting homeowners’
interests at the centre of all endeavours,
including a 10-year insurance backed
guarantee on all jobs. All we needed was
that extra update on branding. That’s
why we chose the ‘stamp’ design for
the new logo, and now everything and
everyone associated with Independent
Network receives the official ‘seal of
approval’.”
Below: Karen Lund and Amy Grundy from the
VEKA Partner Programme and Sales team.