Innovation Driven VEKA

VEKA is the UK’s leading PVC-U windows supplier and a member of the worldwide VEKA Group - the world’s number one PVC-U window profile company employing 5,000 people in 30 locations worldwide. Focus on innovation, excellent customer service as well as its pioneering positing in product recycling are only a few factors that make the company stand out in the competitive market. Romana Moares reports.

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The VEKA Group embarked on its business journey in Germany in 1969 and is still owned by the same family to this day - offering some of the most energy-efficient frames on the market today. The company manufactures window, residential door, sliding door, roller shutter, and sheet systems. It offers solutions for architects and planners, window manufacturers, and building owners worldwide.

VEKA enjoys the leading position in the UK market. Headquartered in Burnley, Lancashire, on a site of approximately 400,000sq ft., the company holds all the major accreditations for the window industry in the UK. It is the UK’s largest PVC-U window systems supplier and has introduced many innovative products into the UK market over the years, such as the Infinity recycled system and the ‘TwinSash’ window, which achieves an impressive industry record U-Value of just 0.38.

Pushing the boundaries

“Not only has VEKA always been at the forefront of product development, we were also the pioneers of product recycling and VEKA was the first PVC-U systems company to establish a recycling plant in Behringen, Germany in 1993. This was followed up in the UK with a recycling plant in Kent in 2007,” says Simon James, Head of the Marketing Department.

“Our commitment to the environment doesn’t end here - we were the first PVC-U systems company to install a recycled window into both the commercial and retail markets and the first systems company to establish a closed-loop recycling system. Our Infinity system was the first recycled window system to be fitted into a domestic property and the first recycled system to be chosen for a large scale social housing project. VEKA Group has become one of the first major systems companies to be granted the new BRFC ‘A+’ licenses.”

As Europe’s largest recycler of PVC-U windows, VEKA Recycling is committed to creating a cost-effective and sustainable alternative to landfill across the UK. With its primary processing facility in Kent, VEKA Recycling accepts offcuts of any brand of window. Over a recent three year period, VEKA reduced its carbon emissions by 2,208 tonnes.

Strong in partnerships

VEKA Group uses only the highest quality raw materials and components and the company is proud to celebrate the suppliers that go above and beyond in both product and service. Each year, VEKA Group recognises outstanding supplier performance in four categories: Raw Materials, Technical / In House Design, Ancillary and Consumables.

This year Vynova won for Raw Materials and came out top overall, EWS (Manufacturing) Ltd was named in the Technical/In House Design and Chick Plastics in the Ancillary categories respectively, and POLI-FILM was the winner for Consumables. “Our reputation for quality and reliability could not be maintained without the support of our suppliers,” said VEKA Group’s Purchasing Manager Nicola Woods. “The selection process to become a VEKA Group supplier is rigorous, and then these carefully chosen

partners undergo continuous, stringent monitoring to ensure our standards are upheld. Key suppliers are provided with a monthly ‘vendor rating report’ which outlines how we have judged their performance. They are graded on quantitative data such as number of non-conformances and ‘on time in full’ deliveries, but also on qualitative data such as customer service, flexibility and timely responses to queries.”

“This means we can closely monitor our supply chain, and continue to provide the best possible customer experience. Suppliers must meet or exceed our expectations each month in order to remain on our approved list. This data also enables us to recognise and celebrate the hard work of our top suppliers.”

Best manufacturing company

Since commissioning its 30,000 square foot factory in Burnley in 1986, VEKA has become a major contributor to the local economy and one of the area’s main employers. Ongoing investment in its people, plant and technology has seen the site grow to around 400,000 square foot. The site features the industry’s most advanced state-of-the-art warehousing and distribution facility, and 2013 saw the opening of a new mixing plant as part of a two year investment programme. This ongoing investment highlights the VEKA Group’s long-term commitment to the UK market, its customers, partners, suppliers and end-users.

The company’s achievements and contribution to the community have been acknowledged - VEKA Group has been crowned the best Manufacturing Company in the region, with the team collecting a custom-made trophy at the prestigious Red Rose Awards 2019, honouring the best, most inspirational and most innovative businesses operating in Lancashire. VEKA Group is no stranger to the awards, having been named both ‘Best Large Business’ and ‘Employer of the Year’ in the last two years.

The recent awards clearly demonstrate VEKA Group’s commitment to continuous improvement, supported by investment in the manufacturing processes, staff development and additional infrastructure – all helping to drive further growth. n

Vynova, a leading European PVC producer

Vynova is a leading european manufacturer of PVC resins and chlor-alkali products. We operate production sites in five countries and have over 1,200 employees, realising an annual turnover of more than 1 billion euros. our products play a key role in manufacturing numerous industrial products and consumer goods that improve our quality of life.

PVC is a versatile polymer valued for its distinctive properties, making it an excellent choice for industrial and consumer products. our PVC resins can be blended with additives such as plasticisers, thermal and uV stabilisers, pigments, fillers, impact modifiers and others. The resulting range of finished products extends from soft articles such as films, roofing membranes and flooring to rigid films, pipes and window profiles.

As a result of industry-wide innovations in recovery and recycling, PVC is the polymer that truly fulfils the requirements of a circular economy by ensuring the recyclability of essential products used in our daily lives. PVC provides maximum value during its life cycle and has a low carbon footprint through the sustainable use of resources and energy during production.

As a reliable, sustainable and resourceful PVC supplier, we are proud to play our part in contributing towards a sustainable future.

For more details about Vynova, please

• visit www.vynova-group.com, • follow us on LinkedIn (www.linkedin.com/company/vynova-group) • or follow us on Twitter (@Vynova_Group)