Veka is expanding extrusion capacity at its four North American plant locations. The company has committed to investing over $48 million in extrusion infrastructure throughout 2021 and 2022. In total, 23 lines will be added across North America, expanding both window and door profile extrusion and Veka Outdoor Living Products. "We see excellent potential in working with our existing customer partners to take advantage of a strong market that promises to continue for the foreseeable future," says Joe Peilert, president/CEO of Veka North America.
In addition, the company says it is focused on the hiring and retention of team members, which is critical in addressing a current bottleneck affecting most building products manufacturers. Aligned with significantly raised entry wages, existing team members will receive their second increase within eight months, starting July. “While we believe availability of raw material components will be tight through the end of the year, we see labor availability as an ongoing issue,” Peilert says. Each geographic facility has different challenges in attracting employees but the most common is inflationary pay scale competition with other area businesses, as well as government wage supplement programs, according to a release from the company.
“There are things that set Veka apart, beyond competitive pay and excellent benefits. We invite job seekers to become part of a leading, stable and fast-growing global family-owned business that offers exciting career opportunities. Look at our senior leadership team; the majority joined Veka early in their careers,” says Peilert.