30 Years of beautiful custom window frames from West Friesland

Plastic window frame factory GevelNed will exist exactly 30 years on July 6, 2022. In 1992 the manufacturing of plastic window frames was started in Hem and after only three years the company outgrew its premises and moved to Westfrisia industrial estate in Zwaag. 

The start was prompted at the time by the growing demand for customized plastic window frames from our parent company Jan van der Vlugt en Zoon in Velserbroek. From the 1970s, in line with the increasing demand for home insulation and insulating glass, much attention was paid to the sale and installation of plastic window frames in the private market. But the focus was on the specific demands of the customer and the Dutch market. Self-manufacturing was the answer and GevelNed was started.

As production continued to grow, several additions and expansions have been made over the past 30 years. For example, due to the demand for color and texture on plastic window frames, an in-house color factory ColorNed founded in 1995. The consumer market demands custom window frames as well as a luxurious look for those frames. Product innovations are implemented to meet this demand; the so-called Dutch Corner (a wood connection look), the Dutch sill (a stone-like plastic sill with a high insulation value) and roll tape hinges instead of the coarse hinge caps are introduced. There is also increasing attention to the insulation value of plastic window frames and the Energy Frame is being developed. 

GevelNed has been serving its customers since 2003 through the soft-franchise formula Select Windows. In addition to plastic frames, windows, doors and sliding doors, a package of marketing and management support services is also provided. The dealer network now has 20 Select Windows partners throughout the Netherlands.

Of course, GevelNed is celebrating this anniversary. Thus, in the spring of 2022, the company premises were stickered for a beautiful new look. The facade of the plastic frame factory and offices was provided with an image of the West Frisian landscape.

From a 'dertien in een dozijn' business building, the premises transformed into an eye-catcher on Westfrisia business park and thus the building also radiates, what we ourselves have felt for years; the connection with the region. Entrepreneur couple Carlien and Theo van Gorkom like to explain this West Frisian pride: "What we want to indicate with this is that our premises are not located on just any business park, but rather close to Hoorn: a city with history, a singularity, pride in the middle of the unique West Frisian landscape. The graphic impression of the Westfriese Kromme Leek on our premises, reflects our pride in our location, our product and our employees. And yes, we are sailors, so choosing water makes sense to us, but business-wise we have been firmly anchored in this beautiful area for 30 years."

On July 6, the team will reflect internally on this happy moment. We also honored two jubilees who have been with GevelNed since the company's inception. Managing director Ciaran McCann and senior assembly worker Frans Quisenaerts were put in the limelight. By the way, the total years of service of our current workforce is 574.5, of which 37.5% have more than 12.5 years of service. And 8 of the current employees were not yet born when GevelNed started in 1992. 

Later in the in the year, there will be greater celebratory momentum.