On May 23, many international visits to jubilee company World market leader

VEKA celebrates 50th anniversary

A small company that starts in 1969 develops into the world market leader in high-tech plastic frame profile systems for windows, doors and shutters. It is the success story of VEKA AG in Sendenhorst, Germany, and has now lasted half a century. Every reason for celebration: on May 23, the anniversary will be celebrated with many international guests in Sendenhorst. 

First, a little history...

In 1969, Heinrich Laumann takes over VEKAPLAST. The company then has 8 employees and sales of DM 1.7 million. It grows into the international company VEKA AG, which is represented on 4 continents with 41 branches. The approximately 6,000 people working there achieved combined sales of 1.1 billion euros for the VEKA Group in 2018. Around 2,000 window frame manufacturers worldwide rely on the high-quality products and excellent service of the family-owned company from Sendenhorst.

Vision and craftsmanship

Decisive for the success has been the part played by one man: Heinrich Laumann, who passed away in 2018 at the age of 89. With strong sense of responsibility for his employees, far-sighted entrepreneurial vision and skill, he led VEKA to success. "Heinrich Laumann was a personality and an entrepreneur of extraordinary caliber, who also left his mark on the entire industry," says Andreas Hartleif, CEO of VEKA since 2007. Like his wife Elke Hartleif, Laumann's daughter, he has been involved in the family business since 1996.

Forward-looking and innovative 

Over the years, VEKA has always kept its gaze forward. "In 2018, we invested around 90 million euros in infrastructure and development within the VEKA Group," Andreas Hartleif underlines.

For example, a recent VEKA innovation is VEKA SPECTRAL a surface finishing technique, which is distinguished by unique technical and aesthetic qualities. The basis for VEKA SPECTRAL is a new surface technology developed within VEKA's sister company Celotec. This gives shape to a distinctive color palette for frame profiles, doors and panels, among others. Smart-Home solutions and digital services are yet another area in which VEKA is innovating. Especially for this purpose, VEKA founded the company DigitalBuildingSolutions in October 2018.

Leading the way in sustainability

The beautiful and extensive complex in Sendenhorst (Germany). Half a century of development, innovation in the industry and, of course, a very important employer for Sendenhorst and the surrounding area.

Innovation in sustainable business runs like a thread through VEKA's history. The company is actively involved in the global recycling system Rewindo. With VEKA Umwelttechnik GmbH, founded in 1993, VEKA took the lead at the time for the recycling of plastic window frames in Germany, and shortly thereafter in the other European countries, including the Netherlands. It is therefore no coincidence that VEKA is one of the first companies to be awarded the new product label of the European sustainability program VinylPlus.

Active for more than 40 years in the Netherlands

The Netherlands was one of the first export markets where VEKA became active. The commitment to the Dutch market is characteristic of the way VEKA now operates all over the world. Concepts developed in Sendenhorst are translated into systems developed specifically for each country. For example, the SOFTLINE 82 NL profile system is carefully tailored to the Dutch building culture, climatic conditions and technical requirements in the Netherlands.

Future

Over the past 50 years, VEKA has established its name worldwide as the provider that invests in good relationships with customers and employees. The provider that also stands for quality, trust and security. "Thanks to the size and strength of our company, we can proactively respond to the needs of international profile markets and face the challenges of the future with confidence," said Andreas Hartleif.