Veka Front Doors

VEKA goes large for Fensterbau ‘12

2012-01-25

VEKA plc is set to double its presence at Fensterbau when it returns to the international event this year.

The system supplier is taking twice the floorspace for its second showing at Nürnberg on March 21-24 on the strength of its debut there in 2010.

Sales & Marketing Director Colin Torley said: “The show has proved itself to be the main event for the UK industry. It was a great success for us last time and now we aim to build on that in 2012.”

VEKA will not only be showing its existing products, including the Infinity recycled PVC-U system, but also many from the Halo brand as a result of last year’s acquisition which saw VEKA emerge as the largest manufacturer of PVC-U window profile in the UK market.

Colin Torley added: “We expect the UK contingent of visitors to be bigger than ever this year and we look forward to meeting many of them and discussing the range of exciting products we are showing.”

The VEKA plc display will again form part of the huge VEKA AG stand, which has been a familiar landmark at the show for many years. Last year’s event attracted around 100,000 visitors.

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VEKA and Halo choose LHC for joint debut

2012-01-10

VEKA Group will showcase its broad range of energy efficient fenestration solutions together for the first time at the LHC Whole House Refurbishment Exhibition and Seminar on February 8.

On show will be PVC-U window systems, including VEKA’s unique recycled Infinity window and Halo’s energy-efficient System10 SmartSash, as well as the revolutionary System10 Aluminium window system from Bowater Architectural and the EcoSeries double rebated composite door from Bowater Doors.

The LHC event, at the Emirates Stadium, London, is set to be one of the major gatherings in the social housing calendar, attracting delegates from Local Authorities, ALMOs and Housing Associations in the South of England

VEKA Sales & Marketing Director Colin Torley said: “We now have more to shout about than ever since our acquisition of Bowater Building Products. This is the first time we have shown all the ranges on a single platform and we intend to make the very most of it.”

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Another 1st for VEKA with Door Energy Ratings

2011-09-21

Industry-leading profile manufacturer VEKA plc has become the first systems company to register on the newly introduced Door Energy Ratings scheme for doors.

In the biggest extension of the BFRC scheme since 2006, September has seen the energy ratings labelling system extend to include all types of domestic doors, including composite and PVC-U.

VEKA is well-known for being at the forefront of environmental developments, having been the first to establish a closed-loop recycling facility, the first to develop an 'A' rated window and the first recycled profile to go into a domestic window.

Colin Torley, VEKA Sales and Marketing Director explains: “Here at VEKA, we put a lot of work into making our door systems as energy-efficient as possible, so the extension of the BFRC scheme offers us another chance to show how confident we are in the quality of our products.

“The VEKA Composite Door System, in particular, has gone through rigorous testing and further development and now the majority of doors in the range achieve a U-value of 1.2 or less, with some even gaining an impressive 1.0.”

We felt it was important to register for the new DER Scheme right away as we understand that energy ratings are a great sales tool for our customers when dealing with the public.

A window to the future

2011-07-21

In an increasingly 'eco-aware' world, more and more homeowners want to know what will become of their old PVC-U windows when they have new ones fitted.

What do you tell them?

Thousands of installers and fabricators working with VEKA Recycling are able to tell their customers with complete confidence that their windows will be recycled within a technically advanced, closed-loop process and turned right back into high quality windows.

Simon Scholes of VEKA Recycling explains: The problem we have encountered time and time again, is that many fabricators and installers don't realise just how easy it is to recycle.

“VEKA Recycling accepts all types of PVC-U frames regardless of their original manufacturer. We may have the VEKA name above the door, but we take material from all fabricators and profile users.

“Our organisation offers an attractive alternative to landfill which is simple and convenient and our service is designed to make recycling accessible to all companies, without creating a lot of tiresome sorting chores. We provide a bin into which any type of PVC-U can be thrown; old or new, complete with gaskets, handles and reinforcements but less the glass, then we simply collect it from your premises when it is full. Not only is this ethically and environmentally rewarding, it also makes good financial sense. It avoids the substantial cost of landfill while helping you attract greater numbers of customers with a 'green conscience'.

“To make things even easier, we don't even expect you to separate the profile colours.”

Environmental issues become increasingly prominent by the day, so to offer this ethical disposal of old frames gives any company an impressive sales edge over the competition.

Another way in which recycling could help secure new business, is by providing you with a sought-after product: VEKA plc recently unveiled the 'Infinity' suite of profiles which contains up to 80% recycled material within a shell of virgin polymer.

Recycled PVC-U products have had a travelled a rocky road to the limelight, with many people seeming unaware of the high quality of these recycled products.

VEKA Recycling is keen to promote recycled windows throughout the UK, in an effort to increase demand for these eco-friendly systems within the British market.

Currently, many of VEKA Recycling's products are quickly absorbed into the German Housing market, which is much more receptive to recycled material than the UK. But, happily, this is beginning to change...

A Network VEKA member has now fitted the first recycled PVC-U window into a private house in the UK. The eco-minded homeowners said they would never have considered PVC-U for their home if the installer had not told them about the Infinity system.

Network VEKA MD John Ogilvie explains: “This installation is a perfect example of how companies need to have the best possible tools to promote themselves; whether its through marketing materials or industry-leading products such as the new recycled profile. Our member, KJM was able to secure this installation by providing the eco-friendly home improvements the owner desired and because the company was properly informed, they were able to explain that PVC-U is actually one of the most sustainable materials in the industry - thanks to its long lifespan, low maintenance and ability to be continually recycled.

The windows were installed with the help of snooker legend Steve Davis, who is currently fronting a DVD for Network VEKA, promoting the recycling concept to homeowners.

In another recycling first, VEKA customer, Glazerite, has achieved a ground-breaking agreement with Luton Borough Council to switch entirely to recycled PVC-U for all future window replacements.
VEKA Sales & Marketing Director Colin Torley said: “Luton has shown great foresight in committing to this choice but I am sure many more will follow its example.
“VEKA's Infinity profile is based on a unique co-extrusion process with a core of high-purity recycled PVC-U locked inside a thin coat of virgin polymer for colour-stability. With up to 80% recycled material, it uses less than a quarter of the natural resources, such as oil and salt, and has only a third the carbon footprint of its conventional equivalents. All the recycled material comes from VEKA’s own purpose-built plant, one of few in the world capable of recycling PVC-U pure enough to be put straight back into windows.

“One major factor we are keen to point out is that there is no price disparity between the recycled profile and virgin. This makes the Infinity System just as accessible to all our customers as our other quality profile systems.”

In a box or bubble

Did you know?

The average PVC-U window has a lifespan of around 40 years and can be recycled up to ten times - that's a window with a 400 year lifespan!

Did you know?

VEKA Umwelttechnik GmbH can recycle 50,000 tonnes of PVC-U windows a year - all to a level of purity that can be made directly into new windows.

Winchester Diocese goes greener with Network VEKA

2011-07-21

The Church of England Diocese of Winchester is to go over to recycled PVC-U windows for all future replacements in its 250 clergy houses, with Network VEKA member KJM as installer.

Diocese Houses Manager Chris Mariner said the decision was in direct response to the clergy themselves, as well as the body’s Environmental Officer, who asked for a greener alternative.

He added: “We know the benefits of PVC but they were not keen on the conventional product. As soon as we heard about the recycled frames, they had no objection at all and we were very happy to commit ourselves to the change. We have also asked for all new windows to be ‘A’ Rated so we will be saving on fuel use as well.”

The Diocese, which covers Hampshire, Bournemouth, East Dorset and the Channel Islands, is a long-standing customer of Andover-based KJM. It has a rolling programme, replacing windows in about ten properties a year, some of which are still single-glazed. Its new windows will be based on the VEKA Infinity system, which uses up to 80% recycled material locked inside a co-extruded outer layer of virgin PVC-U.

KJM and Network VEKA fabricator Glazerite recently celebrated the first recycled PVC-U windows ever to be chosen for a UK private house and Glazerite helped Luton to become the first borough in the UK to commit entirely to recycled PVC-U for all future window replacements.

VEKA plc also last secured the first-ever major contract to install the recycled product, with the Places for People Group.

VEKA fully sculptured achieves U-value of just 0.8

2011-07-21

The Fully Sculptured Casement Window in white from VEKA can now achieve a U-value of 0.8 using 44mm argon-filled sealed units, following further development from the industry-leading system supplier.

The technically-advanced system is widely chosen in some of the world's largest building projects as well as literally millions of private homes, for its soft sculptured appearance and technical superiority. Designed for those who want the look and feel of quality hardwood frames without the upkeep, the Matrix FS is a truly integrated PVC-U window system that has set the benchmark in the industry.

VEKA's Sales and Marketing Director Colin Torley said: “Regulations for U-values have become more stringent, so for us to achieve such a low U-value on our Fully Sculptured Casement is testament to our continued investment in technology and product.”

It's not just the Fully Sculptured that can achieve a low U-value, it has also recently been announced that the VEKA Infinity suite of profiles can achieve a U-value of 0.8.

The sum of the parts

2011-07-18

The announcement of VEKA plc’s acquisition of Bowater Building Products has been widely applauded as a major step forward for the industry as a whole. But as Sales & Marketing Director Colin Torley explains, there is much more to such a move than meets the eye.

Not long ago, there were more than 40 PVC-U system companies extruding in the UK, while today, there are about a dozen.

Very soon, there will be even fewer – and our aim is to make sure VEKA is one of them.

It’s been clear for a long time that the market has been saturated with far too many system companies fighting ever harder for their share of a declining market, with pricing policies that are clearly not sustainable due to ever increasing raw material prices - making many players more and more vulnerable.

We are very fortunate at VEKA to have the backing of our family-owned parent company that has always shown its ability to plan for the long game in a way that would be impossible for any share-owned plc and very unlikely even for many privately owned companies. The VEKA Group has shown an unfaltering faith in the UK and is now reaping the rewards of that loyalty with all the promise that is held by our acquisition of Bowater Building Products.

Some in the industry may be wondering why we did not do something similar much sooner. The answer is that it was much more about biding our time until the right partner came along than jumping in at the first opportunity. It would have been easy to buy a system house purely on the strength of its order books – and as many know, there have been several such opportunities – but that would be missing the point. The two halves must mesh together and be able to work in harmony but still work as entities in their own right. In short, for the right purchase, the whole must be greater than the sum of the parts.

This is why Bowater was such an ideal choice for us. Both the VEKA and WHS Halo systems have a strong reputation, not only for the technical excellence of the products but also for the extensive service package that goes with them. They are well established in the social and commercial sectors and popular with domestic fabricators, which is after all our core business. Equally importantly, the ethos of the two companies in the way they are run is very similar so the process of aligning the two brands should be relatively easier.

Also, as we have said many times, the acquisition will assert once and for all that the two brands are here to stay. We might even hope it will put an end to the two years of negative rumours that have done nothing but hinder any attempt at stable customer relations, then allow us to move forward with our newly enlarged family of VEKA and Halo fabricators and their customers.

Both of the brands have recently seen a lot of time and money invested in technical performance and product development and we can assure customers that this will continue after the acquisition. Customers of each brand will be able to continue with their current choice of system. Both companies have a strong track record of working in partnership with their fabricators and this will benefit all parties in making the interim period as seamless as possible.

News of the acquisition has been greeted with widespread acclaim from both sides as well as many others in the industry. The future looks positive for customers of the VEKA and WHS Halo brands. Can users of other systems say the same?

Infinity achieves a U-value of 0.8

2011-07-11

The new Infinity Window System from industry-leading VEKA plc can achieve a U-value of just 0.8, following stringent testing on the recycled window system.

This new window system not only offers the technology and style that all VEKA systems are renowned for, but also all the sustainable benefits of recycled content. The Infinity System contains up to 80% recycled materials, and their co-extrusion means that all external surfaces are virgin polymer, therefore colour-stable and free from lead-based additives.

The Infinity System, launched just last year is an entirely co-extruded system comprising ten window and door profiles, all fully compatible with the existing Matrix 70 system. Achieving a U-value of 0.8 with an Argon unit and not the more expensive Krypton, the reaction to the Infinity System from both the industry and the marketplace has been extremely positive. According to VEKA Sales and Marketing Director, Colin Torley: “It took a leap of faith for our first client to take the recycled route, but now many others are sure to follow and the industry is now more than ready to accept a recycled product.”

In another first for the company, the VEKA Infinity System was chosen by a family in Kent for what is thought to be the first installation of a recycled PVC-U window into a UK private residence.

VEKA plc's Outstanding Contribution

2011-07-01

VEKA plc has won one of the main awards at Burnley's recent celebration of Business and Innovation.

The company received the ‘Outstanding Contribution to Burnley’ award for a remarkable year in which VEKA has both celebrated its 25th year of manufacturing in the town and completed the largest deal of its kind, with acquisition of Midlands-based Bowater Building Products.

VEKA Sales and Marketing Director Colin Torley explains: “2011 has been a big year for VEKA so far and it's always nice to be appreciated for our efforts. The company has gone from strength to strength in the last 25 years, growing from 30 to 160 employees and expanding the site from 30,000 to almost 400,000 square feet. VEKA is one of Burnley's major employers and we have always tried to support the local community while staying at the forefront of our industry, and it's very nice to be recognised for this.”

VEKA claims another environmental 1st

2011-04-13

The VEKA Infinity system has recently been chosen by a family of keen environmentalists for what is thought to be the first installation of a recycled PVC-U window into a UK private house.

Jon and Wendy Belfield said they would never have considered PVC-U for their Hampshire home until local Network VEKA installer KJM told them about the Infinity suite of recycled profiles from VEKA.

“We had asked specifically what environmentally-friendly options were available for new windows,” said Wendy. “We got an answer we didn’t expect – but as soon as they told us how the Infinity frames are made, we didn’t need any more convincing.”

VEKA was the first in the UK to gain a full-scale commercial housing contract with a recycled product, when it signed with the Places for People group last year, but this is thought to be the first domestic retrofit to use the profile.

The Belfields not only found the right windows to suit their green lifestyle but their ‘first’ was marked by Network VEKA brand ambassador Steve Davis who rose to the occasion by helping the KJM team to install them. The frames were made by Network VEKA fabricator Glazerite but their history began nearly a year ago at the Network VEKA AGM when Steve presented VEKA Recycling with an old frame and the challenge to bring it back new!

Infinity is co-extruded with a core of recycled PVC-U inside a shell of virgin polymer for colour stability and the equivalent technical performance to that of virgin profile. The ten profiles in the Infinity range can each contain up to 80% recycled material and are fully compatible with the existing Matrix 70 system.

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Conservation area accepts VEKA's PVC-U windows

2011-03-29

VEKA fabricator, Cowen Windows received the thumbs-up from North Yorkshire Moors National Park recently, when it supplied VEKA’s vertical sliding sash windows for a new, stone-built house, in an area where timber windows are the norm.

The homeowners had planning permission for timber vertical sliders, and after seeing the VEKA equivalent which had been installed at another property, they approached Cowen Windows mistakenly thinking they were wooden frames. The Whitby-based fabricator then supplied a sample VS window in PVC-U sprayed with a cream finish, which the National Park approved.

Offering the look of traditional timber, with the technical excellence that VEKA is renowned for, the VEKA vertical slider is not only environmentally competitive when compared with timber, but also offers a high performance, energy-efficient design.

Trevor Kipling, Director of Cowen Windows said: “This is the second instance that we have supplied VEKA windows into the North Yorkshire Moors National Park area.

“The advanced technology combined with classic style, makes the VEKA Vertical Slider the ideal window system. It will not rot or warp, and the only maintenance required is an occasional wipe down with soapy water.”

VEKA is a world-leader in environmental issues, from creating the industry's first purpose-built PVC-U window recycling plant, to the UK's first BFRC 'A' Rated window.

Norscot Joinery's Callum Grant wins VEKA prize draw

2011-03-29

A competition from industry-leading system supplier VEKA plc - to win tickets for a Premier League football match - has been won by Norscot Joinery's Callum Grant.

VEKA ran the competition before Christmas on their VEKA Composite Door System. Customers who bought more than 10 composite doors over a certain time period, were entered in to a prize draw to win tickets for the Manchester Utd v. Manchester City match at Old Trafford on 12th February.

Callum, of Norscot Joinery said of his win: “It's absolutely fantastic to win the prize draw. We always buy our composite doors from VEKA plc as they offer unbeatable style and quality, so to win the tickets for the match was just an added bonus!

“The security and energy-efficiency, combined with the traditional look of timber, makes the VEKA Composite Door System the ideal choice for our customers.”

Norscot Joinery is one of Scotland's largest fabricators, and its product range includes made-to-measure windows, doors and timber frame kit homes.

a handle on security with Yale

2011-02-22

VEKA has added extra protection to its stylish composite door offering with Yale’s latest security handle, to provide fabricators and installers with the ultimate in cylinder protection.

Yale’s new MK3 security handle is ideal for retrofitting and is used in conjunction with Yale’s British standard euro cylinder on all VEKA composite doors to meet PAS 24 Clause A11 requirements.

Featuring strong steel lugs and M6 screws to ensure the handle remains firm on the door, the MK3 Security Handle also offers an external backplate manufactured from pure aluminium for extra protection.

Says Pat Parry, VEKA Composite Door Manager: “Cylinder manipulation has become a top concern and we were very keen to ensure our composite doors carried a superior quality solution, carrying independent quality and performance.

“Yale is without a doubt the most famous lock brand and a home security specialist that we can utilise to demonstrate to homeowners that by choosing a composite door from VEKA, which already offers style and outstanding performance, their home is also as safe and secure as possible.”

The VEKA composite door system comprises a range of stylish and durable designs that provide weather sealing, exceptional thermal efficiency (all styles are U Value 1.6 or less, with the majority of styles being 1.2 or less) and now high security locking.

Alongside fitting Yale’s Security Handle MK3 and British Standard kitemarked anti-manipulation Euro Cylinder, VEKA is also fitting all composite doors as standard with Yale’s 3 security grip hook bolts multipoint lock which features a deadlocking latch with snib functionality.

Afolabi Akinsanya, National Sales Manager at Yale OEM added: “VEKA is already an industry leading system supplier and it has embraced the need to offer high security composite door solutions, without compromising on aesthetics.

“By using Yale’s MK3 security handle and British Standard kitemark cylinder together with the multipoint locking system, VEKA can offer fabricators and installers a complete and secure composite door, which achieves the very latest security standards, which in turn means peace of mind for their customers.”

Yale MK3 Security Handle has the same fixing positions as the standard Yale door furniture and is available as part of Yale’s suited range of door furniture in six different finishes.

The Yale Mk3 Security Handle is just the latest in a long line of enhancements to the industry’s favourite composite door system – over the last 12 months, the VEKA Composite Door System has benefited from a new lead generation website, the addition of foils on both sides and bespoke U Value certificates supplied with every door, to name just a few.

For further information on the full range of Yale home security solutions for fabricators and installers, please contact the Yale OEM helpline on 0845 223 2128 or visit www.yale.co.uk.

To find out more about VEKA Composite Doors, please call 01282 716611

VEKA supports local troops

2011-02-21

Industry-leading system supplier VEKA plc has donated a laptop to soldiers from the Duke of Lancaster’s Regiment which will allow the troops to communicate with their families, while on duty in Afghanistan.

The PVC-U system supplier was one of five local businesses to donate computer equipment worth £3,000, including five laptops, webcams, digital projectors and a notepad computer.

Local soldiers from the Regiment were presented with the equipment by the Mayor of Burnley at a VIP reception held at Burnley Town Hall, before they start active duty in the next few months.

Brand Manager for VEKA, Rebecca Mayhew said: “We are delighted to be involved in providing laptops for our brave troops. All the computer equipment donated means that they can now keep in touch with their loved ones while they are serving abroad.”

Treasury Chief visits VEKA

2011-02-15

Chief Secretary to the Treasury Danny Alexander heard first-hand about the challenges facing the window industry when he visited VEKA’s HQ in Burnley.

The Lib Dem MP, one of the most senior figures in the Government, toured the system supplier’s state-of-the-art factory and shared views on the Economy with VEKA MD Dave Jones, Sales & Marketing Director Colin Torley and Finance Director Graham Fitton.

“He was very frank about the public spending cuts and the Government’s belief that they are unavoidable,” said Dave Jones later.

“But he did accept that some of the cutbacks can leave many in our industry very vulnerable, especially those with a large stake in social housing.”

The visitor was in Burnley at the invitation of the town’s MP Gordon Birtwistle, who is his Parliamentary Private Secretary.

VEKA Shortlisted for Red Rose Award

2011-02-11

VEKA has been shortlisted for a prestigious Red Rose Award, in the category of Large Business of the Year. The awards celebrate the successes of businesses from across Lancashire and it is a great achievement for us to be one of the finalists.

The awards take place on 31st March in Blackpool - fingers crossed for a good result!

VEKA sets the wheels of promotion in motion

2011-02-04

Industry-leading system supplier, VEKA, has added two brand new vehicles to its extensive fleet.

As part of VEKA's ongoing marketing strategy, the two vehicles have been designed to promote both VEKA and Network VEKA. The two trailers, each featuring a nine foot tall image of Steve Davis, brand ambassador for Network VEKA, are almost 14 metres long.

Rebecca Mayhew, VEKA's Brand Manager says “Joining our energy-efficient fleet, the two new trailers will be travelling up and down the country delivering quality VEKA products, while also advertising the quality standards organisation Network VEKA.” The new trucks also display the artwork for the Burnley Bondholder Scheme, which VEKA is a proud part of. Rebecca Mayhew explains: “The Bondholder scheme offers us another way to demonstrate our pride in the local area and its amenities, hopefully encouraging more businesses to follow our lead and establish in and around Burnley.”

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VEKA AG CEO Elected President of EPPA

2011-01-25

Andreas Hartleif, CEO of VEKA AG, is the new president of the European industry association of PVC window profile manufacturers.

He was unanimously elected at the general meeting of the European PVC Window Profile and Related Building Products Association (EPPA) at the end of last year.

The initial term of office will be two years. Hartleif, 44, has been active on the steering committee of the EPPA since the association’s foundation. He succeeds Marco von Maltzan, CEO of the Profine Group. In his first statement as president, Hartleif clearly set out his priorities for his term of office: “It is crucially important for us as an industry sector to continue pooling our interests in Europe and to have appropriate representation before key political committees.

Our economic performance, with over 20,000 jobs and an annual turnover of almost 5 billion euros, should give us extra weight.” The new president plans to campaign for a more widespread acceptance of EPPA among industry representatives and wants to get company heads more strongly involved in European decision-making processes.

Another focus will be the Europe-wide harmonisation of quality and testing standards for PVC window profiles. “For the sake of the entire sector, we need to make sure national testing and certification procedures are standardised and mutually recognised,” said the VEKA AG CEO. Realising the necessary Environmental Product Declaration (EPD) for PVC window profiles is part of that agenda. In putting these goals into action, Hartleif can count on full support from the members of the presidential committee and the steering committee.

The attending members unanimously elected Albert Vasseur, Director of Plastics Converting Business, Tessenderlo Group, to the post of vice-president. Also unanimously elected was Ludo Debever, of Deceuninck, Belgium, who was confirmed as treasurer. Hartleif thanked his predecessor, Marco von Maltzan, for his achievements, highlighting his exemplary efforts supporting the implementation and adherence to the European PVC industry’s Voluntary Commitment to Sustainable Development. Hartleif also stressed that he would continue Maltzan’s tireless campaigning for the creation of national and European economic stimulus plans for building renovation.

In addition to the election of the new presidential committee, the delegates at the EPPA general meeting also officially adopted the association’s working programme for 2011. Alongside the PVC industry’s Voluntary Commitment pledge, the EPPA programme also includes a range of projects to boost the widespread acceptance of PCV windows and window profiles.

“Our products make a valuable contribution to energy-efficient building refurbishment, and thus to the sustainable reduction of CO2 emissions on an international scale. We have to make it our mission to communicate this fact vigorously and increase the awareness of the general public. And we must ensure that we remain in close dialogue with all political committees that are of importance to our industry,” Hartleif concluded.

The EPPA is the European association of manufacturers of PVC window profiles and related building products. European manufacturers account for approx. 25 percent of the world’s production of window profiles.

More information is available on the Internet at www.eppa-profiles.org or directly from

Mrs. Ulrike Grawe EPPA Executive Secretary Avenue de Cortenbergh, 71 1000 Brussels/ Belgium

Phone +32-(0)2-7324124 Fax +32-(0)2-7324218

mail to: ulrike.grawe@eppa-profiles.org

VEKA Celebrates the Season of Sales

2011-01-11

Industry-leading system supplier VEKA plc has experienced record-breaking sales in recent months, for its PVC-U profile and its technically-advanced composite door system.

Thanks to continued investment in products, technology and marketing - VEKA has recorded an impressive upturn in composite door sales of 61% in just a year. Sales of profile this September were also 14% higher than in 2009.

VEKA Sales and Marketing Director Colin Torley explains: “This dramatic sales increase illustrates once again our ongoing commitment to providing the ideal product ranges and the best service for our clients.

“This year we have unveiled a new website, along with a free lead generation programme; we have launched our unique WER calculator, released a striking new range of product literature and made continuous investment in further developing our entire product range, including the launch of a new Vertical Slider and our Infinity suite of recycled profiles.”

Since its launch, the VEKA Composite Door System has gained the coveted SBD accreditation and become increasingly popular with housing associations and specifiers. The system has also been updated with foils on both sides on selected styles, bespoke styles and glass options, a new edge band with a grained finish and an optional Yale Electronic Door Viewer. Trade customers and homeowners can even design their own door with VEKA's online facility. Every style within the range can also achieve a U value of 1.6 or lower in accordance with the changes to building regulations.

Colin Torley added “2011 will mark VEKA plc's 25th year of trading in the UK and our recent upsurge in sales has further proved that our commitment to customer satisfaction is ongoing and unrelenting. We have been providing the best in products and service for the last quarter of a century, and we fully intend to do the same for the next.”

Secured By Design

2011-01-11

Industry-leading system supplier VEKA has relaunched its composite door range in response to being awarded the coveted Secured by Design accreditation.

The high-spec range now has new supporting literature, new branding as The VEKA Composite Door System and a specific range created for the social housing market with accompanying specification literature.
The Secured by Design accreditation secures VEKA’s position among a select few composite door manufacturers, giving installers and fabricators a real sales edge.

According to officials, the Secured by Design logo “offers developers, architects, designers, builders, specifiers and members of the public instant reassurance that a product has been deemed by the police to provide a realistic level of resistance to criminal attack.”

When the VEKA Composite Door System was unveiled over a year ago - principally to the domestic market - it soon caught the attention of public housing bodies thanks to a host of winning features combined with VEKA's respected reputation. The range offers benefits for fitters and homeowners alike and has been specified by a number of authorities since its launch.

Sales and Marketing Director Colin Torley explains “ VEKA's composite door range grew quickly in popularity, both with the trade and the commercial sector, and we felt that the recent Secured by Design award, coupled with the new specifier range offered us a great opportunity to re-brand and launch new literature for the system. We feel that branding the range as The VEKA Composite Door System instantly adds the reassurance of the highly respected VEKA brand name. As well as new literature for our trade customers to use with end users, the new in-depth Specifiers’ Guide highlights VEKA's commitment to helping our customers secure work in the lucrative commercial sector.”

The VEKA Composite Door System spent over a year in development, to ensure that it fully met the needs of all markets. The recently awarded Secured by Design accreditation is testament to the technical expertise involved in creating a door that not only looks appealing, but also provides a formidable barrier against would-be intruders.

Colin Torley concluded: “After many years supplying quality window systems into the commercial market, VEKA is ideally placed to understand the requirements of this particular sector. The new range of VEKA Composite Doors for specifiers is attractive, affordable, evidently very secure and is illustrated with a detailed specifiers' guide which, along with the new trade literature, explains the many feature benefits of the VEKA Composite Door System, including further details of the recent Secured by Design award.

“VEKA understands the need for guarantees on performance, quality accreditations and adaptability in design. We also offer the highest level of performance and perfect delivery results.”

Fabricators, installers and specifiers can design the ideal VEKA Composite Door and order online by visiting www.compositedoors.uk.com

Composite door customers

2011-01-11

Industry-leading system supplier VEKA plc is renowned for its unrivalled customer support, especially with its technical assistance and marketing packages. The forward-thinking company is now assisting customers even further with free homeowner sales leads on composite doors.

The high-spec VEKA Composite Door System has undergone a series of updates since its launch and thanks to continued investment from VEKA it has become increasingly popular with homeowners, specifiers and housing associations alike.

VEKA's Composite Door Manager Pat Parry explains what sets the VEKA door ahead from its competitors, and the benefits if offers to suppliers: “The VEKA Composite Door System has benefited from significant ongoing investment which has resulted in it gaining the coveted Secured by Design accreditation early in 2010, which significantly boosted demand in the social housing sector.

“Recently we have announced a range of updates including; Rosewood or Golden Oak foils on both sides on selected styles - so homeowners are not limited to a traditional white interior, we can also offer bespoke styles and a new range of glass options, a new edgeband with a grained finish and the optional Yale Electronic Door Viewer.

“Being able to offer the Yale Electronic Door Viewer should provide our customers with a particularly effective sales tool because it offers a different kind of reassurance. The security features built in to our composite door system provide a formidable barrier against intruders when the door is closed and locked, but the Yale viewer also allows homeowners to see clearly who is outside before the door is opened. The viewing screen provides large, clear images of any visitor - up to ten times bigger than traditional spyholes and with none of the distortion.

“In a continuing effort to support our customers, VEKA has developed a unique web-based lead generation programme which has more than proved its worth, even at this early stage. We are extremely pleased with it, because it offers real, measurable results for our customers completely free of charge. August saw a record number of homeowner leads distributed to our customers and more than 1000 leads have been passed out to date, once again proving VEKA's unrelenting commitment to client satisfaction.”

Thinking about the October changes in Building Regulations?

Every style within the wide range of VEKA Composite Doors can achieve a U value of 1.6 in accordance with the recently announced changes to Building Regulations, with many styles achieving an impressive U value of just 1.0. Individual U value certificates are supplied with every door - detailing that specific combination of door style and glazing.

New literature is available to promote and explain the many recent enhancements to the system and includes the specific U value calculations for each style.

VEKA Composite Doors and Vectis

2011-01-11

VEKA are celebrating the successful re-launch of their Composite door system featuring the high security ‘Vectis’ multi-point door lock from ERA.

The VEKA Composite Door System offers a range of classical stylish designs that combine outstanding performance, exceptional thermal efficiency (u value 0.8), weather sealing and high security locking to produce simply one of the best GRP doors available.

Using advanced design the door is formed using a composite sub frame supported by laminated timber, pressured filled with energy saving foam and a fully grained through coloured GRP skin.

Fully sculptured,VEKA Composite Doors have a high resistant to warping, scratching and expansion, combining the robust and aesthetic benefits of wood with high performance, energy efficiency, low maintenance and the long life expectancy of modern materials.

The door system features a high spec weather sealing design with triple seals, to withstand the worst of the British weather and an optional low threshold (part M compliant), complementary outer frames, top and side lights.

Available in a choice of 21 door styles, five exterior colours and two woodgrain finishes including Golden Oak and Rosewood, and 15 glazing options, the doors come fully fitted with coordinating hardware and optional blinds on selected styles.

The VEKA Composite Door range features the latest innovation in door security, the cylinder-free Vectis multipoint door lock. In introducing the Vectis, VEKA is offering a new innovative security combination that combines a traditional brass key entry with 5 lever locking with a highly secure multi-point mechanism.