Clearview Midlands August 2014 - Issue 153 | Page 77

BUSINESSNEWS

VEKA GROUP COMPLETES
GEALAN ACQUISITION

(l-r): Dr Andreas Hillebrand (Deputy CEO
VEKA AG), Andreas Hartleif (CEO VEKA
AG), Elke Hartleif (Executive Board HR
VEKA AG), Jürgen Küspert (CEO GEALAN),
Tino Albert (MD Operations GEALAN).

The Worldwide VEKA Group has announced
that the acquisition of German competitor
GEALAN Holding GmbH has finally been
completed. All European Monopolies &
Mergers authorities involved in this process
have approved of the takeover.
By acquiring its competitor GEALAN – a
company well-know and established on
the European market for many years and
one that has recently been implementing a
differentiation strategy – the VEKA Group
is strengthening its competitive position in
Germany, Europe, and the World.

The family-owned VEKA Group is one
of the world’s leading producers of PVC-U
profile systems for windows, doors and roller
shutters, employing more than 3,600 people
at 25 subsidiaries on three continents. With its
takeover of GEALAN Holding GmbH from
financial investor Halder, the Group will be
increasing its staff and its total annual turnover
will reach more than €1 billion.
The acquisition is positive news for UK
VEKA and Halo fabricators as it reinforces
the Group’s stability and vision for long term
investment.

New rules for retailers
As from 13 June 2014, retailers who sell to
consumers (including those selling digital
content) must comply with the Consumer
Contracts (Information, Cancellation and
Additional Charges) Regulations 2013 (the
Regulations).
The Regulations supersede The Consumer
Protection (Distance Selling) Regulations
2000 and The Cancellation of Contracts made
in a Consumer’s Home or Place of Work etc
Regulations 2008.

Virtually all retailers will be affected by the
Regulations. Some of the key rules being
introduced are:
• consumers will be entitled to clearer and more
prominent information before and after a sale
is made to them
• if the consumer is buying digital content, they
must have more information about such issues
as compatibility and functionality and the
fact that a digital download may not have a
cancellation period must be made clear to the

‘The Regulations will have a significant impact
on almost all areas of a business’

consumer at the point of sale and the consumer
must agree to this
• the cancellation period for distance and
doorstep sales will be increased from 7 to 14
days
• forbidding the use of premium rate customer
telephone helplines.
The Regulations will have a significant impact
on almost all areas of a business including its
website, marketing literature and terms and
conditions, and retailers will have to train all
of their staff to ensure full compliance. Failure
to comply could lead to prosecution and the
consumer may be able to cancel the contract and
possibly even keep goods already supplied.

The VEKA UK Group gives
back to the G Awards
The VEKA UK Group is proud to once again
be a Main Sponsor for the G`14 Awards. The
industry-leading PVC-U systems supplier
believes that the Awards are a valuable
resource within the industry, encouraging
companies to strive for excellence.
The Awards are described as being the ‘the
only event in the glass and glazing industry
publicly to celebrate and reward standards of
excellence on a national scale.”
Sales & Marketing Director of The VEKA
UK Group Colin Torley says: “The G14
Awards provide a fantastic opportunity for

To read more, visit www.clearview-uk.com

businesses in the glass and glazing industry
to be recognised for their hard work and
outstanding achievements.
“We have been shortlisted for numerous
G Awards over the years and are always
delighted at the number of VEKA and
Halo customer companies recognised. We
look forward to celebrating with winners,
and are proud to sponsor an event that
promotes professionalism in all aspects of our
industry.”
The G14 Awards will be held on Friday 21
November.

‘always delighted’
Enter online at www.g-awards.co.uk

AUG 2014

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