VEKA
German manufacturer of uPVC profile systems for windows, doors, shutters, and sliding doors.
Last updated August 31, 2026
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Overview
VEKA AG is a German manufacturer and systems supplier focused on extruded unplasticized polyvinyl chloride, commonly called uPVC or PVC, profiles for the building industry. Its principal applications include windows, entrance doors, sliding doors, roller shutters, and related architectural components. The company is headquartered in Sendenhorst, North Rhine-Westphalia, and developed from a small shutter producer into an international group with extrusion operations in twelve countries and representative offices in more than forty countries. The business began in 1967 in Sendenhorst, then in West Germany, under the name Vekaplast. Its initial activity was the production of roller shutters. In 1969, Heinrich Laumann, one of the company’s original eight employees, acquired the business. VEKA subsequently broadened its scope from shutters to complete profile systems: it began developing its own window profile in 1970, brought that profile to market in 1971, and added front-door and sliding-door systems in 1974. Growth in demand led to major investments in the Sendenhorst site. The company acquired industrial land, constructed a new extrusion plant, expanded production space in stages during the late 1970s, and opened its first mixing plant in 1981. The mixing and extrusion capabilities supported a more integrated manufacturing model and enabled VEKA to produce a wider range of PVC-based products. In the mid-1980s, the company also entered PVC sheet production and acquired several Belgian manufacturers associated with PVC and polyethylene films. International expansion accelerated after VEKA responded to economic stagnation in West Germany by increasing its exports and establishing overseas subsidiaries. Spain, France, and the United States were among the first new markets, followed by the United Kingdom and additional operations in Poland, Russia, Argentina, Singapore, Romania, Mexico, Brazil, India, Malaysia, Ukraine, and other regions. North American growth included the creation of VEKA Holdings in the United States, the establishment of VEKA West in Nevada, the development of VEKA South in Texas, and the acquisition of Canadian extruder Berlinex in 2002. The group also developed a recycling capability. In 1991 it established VEKA Umwelttechnik in Germany, and in 1993 it opened a recycling center in connection with its broader materials-management activities. This complemented its core profile business by addressing the recovery and reprocessing of PVC window materials. VEKA’s ownership and governance remained associated with the Laumann family. The company was incorporated as VEKA GmbH in 1990 and converted into a public limited liability company in 1992, while the family retained control. Heinrich Laumann left the management board in 2000 and became chairman of the supervisory board; Hubert Hecker then became chairman of the management board. Andreas Hartleif was appointed chief executive officer in 2016. VEKA is a privately controlled industrial group rather than a publicly traded company with an identified stock ticker. Its current brand proposition centers on durable, energy-efficient, design-flexible, and recyclable profile systems supplied through fabricators, window manufacturers, installers, and construction channels.
History
VEKA was established in Sendenhorst in 1967 as Vekaplast, initially making roller shutters. In 1969, Heinrich Laumann acquired the company. Under his direction, VEKA moved into window profiles, beginning internal development in 1970 and commercializing its first window profile in 1971. Front-door and sliding-door systems followed in 1974. The company expanded its original leased premises after demand increased. A larger industrial site in Sendenhorst was developed through a new extrusion plant, with the first 10,500-square-meter phase completed in 1977 and later additions in 1979 and 1980. A mixing plant was added in 1981, strengthening the company’s control over the preparation of PVC compounds used in extrusion. In the early 1980s, weak economic conditions in West Germany encouraged VEKA to pursue foreign markets more actively. Subsidiaries were established in Spain, France, and the United States by 1984, followed by a United Kingdom subsidiary in 1986. During the same period, VEKA entered PVC-sheet production and acquired Belgian businesses involved in PVC and polyethylene films. Further investment was made in mixing capacity and sheet-extrusion facilities. VEKA became VEKA GmbH in 1990. In 1991, it created VEKA Umwelttechnik GmbH as a waste-disposal and recycling subsidiary. The business became a public limited liability company in 1992, while the Laumann family maintained control. A recycling center was opened in 1993, and VEKA expanded its American presence through VEKA West in Nevada and VEKA Holdings. Additional branches and subsidiaries were established between 1994 and 1999 in Poland, Russia, Argentina, and Singapore. The company marked its thirtieth anniversary in 1999. In 2000, Heinrich Laumann moved from the management board to the chairmanship of the supervisory board, and Hubert Hecker became chairman of the management board. That year VEKA also established operations in Romania, Mexico, and Brazil. North American expansion continued in 2002 when VEKA Holdings acquired Canadian extruder Berlinex and renamed it VEKA Canada Holdings. Operations or subsidiaries were subsequently added in India, Malaysia, Ukraine, and other markets, including VEKA South in Texas in 2006. By the time of the referenced company profile, VEKA operated extrusion facilities in twelve countries and maintained representative offices in more than forty countries. Its business had evolved from a regional shutter manufacturer into a global supplier of uPVC profiles for windows, doors, roller shutters, and sliding doors, with associated activities in PVC sheets, materials processing, and recycling.
- 2016
Andreas Hartleif appointed CEO
[1]Andreas Hartleif became chief executive officer on 7 October 2016.
- 2006
VEKA South established
[1]VEKA established a facility in Terrell, Texas, serving the southern United States, Central America, and the Caribbean.
- 2002
Canadian extruder acquired
[1]VEKA Holdings acquired Berlinex in Canada and renamed the operation VEKA Canada Holdings.
- 1993
Recycling center opened
[1]VEKA opened a recycling center and expanded its United States organization.
- 1992
Conversion to public limited liability company
[1]VEKA GmbH was converted into a public limited liability company while the Laumann family retained control.
- 1991
Recycling subsidiary established
[1]VEKA Umwelttechnik GmbH was established in Behringen, Germany.
- 1990
VEKA GmbH incorporated
[1]The company adopted the VEKA GmbH legal form.
- 1985
PVC-sheet production begins
[1]The company expanded its product range to include PVC sheets.
- 1983
International expansion accelerated
[1]VEKA decided to increase exports and began establishing subsidiaries in overseas markets.
- 1981
First mixing plant opened
[1]VEKA opened its first mixing plant in Sendenhorst to support PVC processing.
Products and positioning
An internationally operating, vertically integrated supplier of uPVC profile systems and related PVC processing and recycling solutions for the construction sector.
uPVC window systems · 1971
VEKA window profile systems
VEKA’s window systems are extruded uPVC profile platforms used by window fabricators to produce residential and commercial windows. The profiles form the structural and weather-sealing framework into which glazing, hardware, reinforcement, and gaskets are integrated. The systems are designed for repeatable fabrication, thermal and acoustic performance, weather resistance, and compatibility with different architectural formats.
uPVC door systems · 1974
VEKA entrance-door systems
Entrance-door systems extend VEKA’s profile expertise into front doors and other exterior door configurations. They provide profile combinations for door leaves, frames, thresholds, reinforcement, glazing, and hardware. The systems are intended to balance durability, security, insulation, design flexibility, and efficient fabrication by specialist window and door manufacturers.
uPVC sliding-door systems · 1974
VEKA sliding-door systems
VEKA sliding-door systems use extruded profiles and compatible components for large glazed openings and movable door panels. They are used in applications where daylight, access to exterior spaces, and space-efficient operation are important. The systems can be adapted by fabricators for different opening sizes, glazing specifications, hardware arrangements, and architectural requirements.
uPVC roller shutters · 1967
VEKA roller-shutter systems
Roller shutters were VEKA’s original product area. The category includes shutter profiles and associated system components used for exterior solar control, privacy, security, and weather protection. Although the company later became better known for complete window and door profile platforms, shutters remained part of its broader building-products portfolio.
PVC sheet products · 1985
PVC sheets
VEKA entered PVC-sheet manufacturing in the mid-1980s. Sheet extrusion broadened the company’s materials and processing capabilities beyond profile systems and complemented its investments in mixing, extrusion, and related PVC production infrastructure.
recycling services · 1991
PVC recycling and materials recovery
Through VEKA Umwelttechnik and its recycling activities, the group developed capabilities for recovering and processing PVC materials. These operations support the collection, sorting, and reprocessing of material from used window and building products, linking the company’s profile manufacturing business with a circular-materials approach.
Brand decisions
2016
Appoint a new chief executiveOtherBackground
VEKA changed its top management as part of the group’s continuing governance development.
Action taken
Andreas Hartleif was appointed CEO on 7 October 2016.
Aftermath
Hartleif became the principal publicly identified executive associated with VEKA’s subsequent operations.
2002
Acquire Berlinex in CanadaM&ABackground
VEKA sought to strengthen its manufacturing and market presence in Canada.
Action taken
VEKA Holdings acquired Canadian extruder Berlinex and renamed it VEKA Canada Holdings.
Aftermath
The acquisition expanded VEKA’s North American operating footprint.
1991
Create a dedicated recycling subsidiaryStrategyBackground
VEKA sought to complement its PVC manufacturing activities with dedicated waste-management and recycling capabilities.
Action taken
The group established VEKA Umwelttechnik GmbH in Behringen, Germany.
Aftermath
Recycling became an identifiable part of the group’s operating structure and was followed by the opening of a recycling center in 1993.
1983
Increase export activity and establish foreign subsidiariesStrategyBackground
Economic stagnation in West Germany encouraged VEKA to seek additional demand outside its domestic market.
Action taken
The company increased exports and established subsidiaries, initially in Spain, France, and the United States, followed by further international operations.
Aftermath
The decision laid the foundation for VEKA’s later international manufacturing and representative-office network.
Sources2 sources
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