Review of VEKA activities and news with Emmanuel Demesmay, General Director

And there is reason, because there is plenty of good news. Between the announcement of an investment of 16,5 million euros dedicated to the construction of a new logistics center, an increasing turnover in France, the implementation of a new co-extrusion line and new VEKA REcycle partners… VEKA France is armed for the future.

A new VEKA logistics center in France

Announced for effective commissioning in January 2025, the new VEKA logistics center will be based in Saint Loup de Varennes, near Chalon-sur-Saône (71). The result of an investment of some 16,5 million euros (self-financed by a loan to the VEKA Group), this logistics platform is located ideally close to the A6 motorway, on a plot of land of 46.000 m² with a planned covered building of 11.000 m².

A geographical location which also suffers from less labor pressure than that of Thonon-les-Bains in Haute-Savoie, where the VEKA production site is located. If VEKA initially plans to create around fifteen jobs, the ultimate objective is to recruit 25 new employees. Emmanuel Demesmay also specifies that this logistics center could be scalable and offer the possibility of carrying out finishing activities (packaging for example).

Build team reliability and acquire new skills

The construction of this new logistics center will also free up space on the historic site of Thonon-les-Bains, in order to offer better working conditions to employees and a better welcome for visitors.

Employees whom Emmanuel Demesmay thanks for their commitment and loyalty, whom he wishes to further improve in their skills and whose well-being he wants to increase. In line with the mission of the German group (We care, we act, we grow), the General Director affirms his desire to make the French subsidiary an exemplary entity of the Group where we feel good to work.

Beyond the values ​​specific to the VEKA family group, stabilizing and making the French teams more reliable is also an important issue to ensure the level of service targeted by VEKA.

Today, around twenty permanent positions are to be filled on the Thonon-les-Bains site, mainly in the Production professions (Extrusion/Plaxing and Maintenance). Several initiatives are also being carried out to not only retain current teams, but also strengthen the attractiveness of the company in the region and attract new skills. After a first internal agreement last July, a co-optation program was put in place on 1^er September to encourage the recommendation of new collaborators. And it is on the screens of Ciné Léman in the fall that we will find the VEKA teams to raise awareness and promote the company.

VEKA France turnover on the rise

VEKA has a very good customer service rate, particularly since the Covid health crisis which had already reinforced the choice of many industrial manufacturers for VEKA (strength of the Group and reliability of supply of PVC material, virgin and recycled). Thus, VEKA sees its turnover increase in France by around 5%, thanks in particular to the development of its customer portfolio and the start-up of new manufacturers (BIPA, Franciaflex, Proplast, etc.). An increase that stands out from the performances of other European subsidiaries of the Group, with more complex situations (up to -20% in certain countries).

The effective marketing of the innovations presented over the past two years also offers great prospects (VEKASLIDE Hi-5 sliding window concept, VEKAVARIANT MASTERBOX rolling shutter box, etc.).

To support this activity, an investment of 1,2 million euros was made to set up a new co-extrusion production line, operational since October 2023.

After several months of waiting to receive all of its components, the first tests began in September. This line brings the number of lines on the Haut-Savoie site to 17. Enough to increase production capacity incorporating recycled material and reinforce the excellence of the service rate.

For Emmanuel Demesmay: « VEKA's responsiveness is appreciated by professionals who can count on orders delivered in one to four weeks, depending on the type of profile. This reliability sets us apart in the market. »

VEKA REcycle: an approach that is developing

VEKA has integrated environmental issues into its strategy for more than 30 years, notably with 3 recycling plants, including one in France (VEKA Recyclage, near Troyes). Mastery of co-extrusion also allows the Group to now integrate an average of 26% recycled material into its profiles.

For Emmanuel Demesmay: “But VEKA goes even further with VEKA Recycle. This is a global approach to eco-design and a closed-loop circular economy, which brings together partner manufacturers VEKA REcycle, VEKA and VEKA Recyclage. This committed approach makes it possible to drastically reduce the carbon footprint of PVC joinery by reaching a carbon weight close to 50 kg CO₂, equivalent to that of wooden joinery. »

This new line of profiles features 100% end-of-life recycled material at heart and up to 70% in the joinery.

Today, nine VEKA manufacturers have already joined the VEKA REcycle approach and can benefit from the collective FDES put in place to certify this carbon weight. “We intend to expand this circle of partner customers and thus enable them to respond to the new challenges of RE 2020 and Building REP. Our objective is constant: to continue to provide them with concrete answers and specific competitive advantages. » concludes the French leader.

A reaffirmed desire to develop the Fenétirier network^® VEKA

Emmanuel Demesmay also confirms the revitalization of the Fenetrier network^® VEKA with the objective of recruiting new members. “ Regular working groups and a next convention abroad planned for early 2024 aim to maintain the link and unite the 37 points of sale spread across France. ».

In addition to the sales support tools offered for each store, via a dedicated digital platform, a national operation is also planned for the fall.
On the theme of open days, this campaign aims to support back-to-school commercial activity and will be illustrated by various promotions and gifts to be won at participating points of sale.