Copenhagen,
08
January
2002
|
00:00
Europe/Copenhagen

VELUX strengthens its position in Europe


VELUX A/S acquires full ownership of all VELUX activities in Germany.

The company Ernst Günter Albers GmbH and the Albers family sells its 50% share of VELUX Deutschland GmbH, Meldorfer Holzverarbeitungs GmbH, Bauhaus Rhein-Main GmbH, SIG Sonneborn Bauzubehör Industriegesellschaft mbH and Velterm Sonneborn GmbH Isolierglaswerk to VELUX A/S.

VELUX is moving towards the European single market with intensified competition across borders. In the building materials sector, the distribution link is consolidating and reinforcing itself on a European level. That places new demands on our ability to serve the customers faster and more efficiently. One single European (transnational) organisation must secure an even faster response in the individual markets, e.g. by reaping the benefits of best practice and large-scale operations. To VELUX, Germany is an essential part of the European market, and this acquisition will integrate the German market even more into the overall strategy.

In recent years, VELUX has made several major investments in order to strengthen its position in the European competition:

During the last couple of years, V21 was introduced in most European countries. We are implementing the EuroBIZ project to strengthen such areas as logistics and to form a solid basis for increased electronic business, both internally and with our customers in future.VELUX is a strong brand in building materials and home improvement products. The VELUX brand is being strengthened in these years through focus on our role as a partner in the improvement of homes and workplaces through daylight and fresh air. VELUX is making a targeted effort to further develop the transnational organisation.

These initiatives to strengthen our competitive position will, not least in the long run, contribute to securing our leading position in the market for roof windows and associated products.

The co-operation with the Albers family dates back 50 years to 1952 when VELUX was established in the German market - first as a co-operation between the VELUX Group's founder, Villum Kann Rasmussen, and Ernst Günter Albers; later between their sons, Lars Kann-Rasmussen and Peter Albers. The co-operation has been to the mutual joy of both parties over the years, and this acquisition, which transfers the whole ownership of the German activities to VELUX A/S, was agreed with the same objective as the long-standing co-operation: for the benefit of the customers and to secure continued good business results.

After nearly 50 years' co-operation between two generations, the successful and good co-operation will now be concluded in the same amicable spirit. It has been a difficult decision for the Albers family to sell its share, but in relation to the VELUX business it was the right decision.