Veka Inc. issued several statements in response to the coronavirus, all of which focus on the company taking the "necessary steps to protect the continuous, safe operation of our business as it pertains to all stakeholders, including our employees, our customers, ownership and the communities in which we live and serve."
Its most recent website updated on March 17, says the following:
In these challenging times, our number one commitment is the safety of our team members, families and business partners. We are following all federal, state and local mandates, as well as all recommendations from the CDC and DOH (Dept. of Health), for our four locations in the U.S.
Throughout Veka North America, many of the recent recommendations from local, state and federal officials had already been implemented. Last Friday, we suspended all international and domestic travel and began plans for employees who can work from home to be able do so. This will go into effect starting today and covers approximately 80 percent of our office employees. We have suspended all outside visitation unless pre-approved or part of a routine delivery category, like vending and cleaning services.
Veka headquarters in Fombell, Pennsylvania, is over 700,000 square feet under roof, with just over 500 employees, working four shifts. These employees do not all work together at the same time. There is plenty of space for each employee to perform their operational duties while following CDC protocols safely. This is the case at all four manufacturing locations.
State officials’ orders regarding public/retail closures do not include manufacturing facilities at this time. These protocols may vary state by state. Veka is an OEM supplier whose buildings are not public facilities and are still considered essential. North American Board members are meeting daily to report updates on all facets of the business. Customers and vendors have been notified regarding our policies as they are today and will continue to be updated in these ever-changing conditions.
Veka currently employs over 850 individuals nationwide. We have a responsibility to each and every employee and their families to continue to provide for them. We have instituted the CDC guidelines regarding social distancing, as well as other protocols to ensure their safety and well-being.
Veka will continue to provide updates through its website.
A letter dated March 13 from Joe Peilert, president and CEO, dated March 13, also says that: "At this time, we do not expect any disruption of operations in any of our North American Veka facilities or throughout our supply chain. However, in the event that public health officials request that Veka modifies its operations due to quarantines or other community containment, all departments at Veka have been asked to prepare and enable staff to perform their critical daily business functions from home if there are no requirements for them to be on-site at any of the facilities."