Cranes and robots will help prepare, pack and send roof windows, roller shutters and other accessories to customers throughout the Nordic region. This will take place in the VELUX Group's first large high-tech warehouse, located in a 24,000 m² building in Kolding.

Lars Petersson, VELUX Group CEO, looks forward to taking another step towards improving the VELUX customer experience:

Solar energy powers technology
In 2024, around 80 percent of the power for the automated warehouse will come from an adjacent 6,000 m² solar park. Electricity generated by solar panels will power robots, cranes and a monorail that will move pallets around the warehouse, with robots then packing windows and other products on top of them. Then the pallets are transported to a truck for onwards delivery to customers.

Sending windows, roller shutters, blinds and accessories in one shipment to customers will also reduce the number of trucks used for distribution, thereby cutting CO₂ emissions from transportation.

VELUX has set ambitious 2030 targets to reduce CO₂ emissions: emissions from its own operations are to be reduced by 100% and emissions throughout the value chain are to be reduced by 50%.

More windows to customers
The high-tech warehouse can handle up to 50 percent more goods than a manual warehouse, and the robots are programmed to handle more complex tasks. At the same time, the use of cranes and robots improves ergonomics for warehouse employees.

Facts:

• Building prepared from November 2021 to June 2022 to be ready for installation of automation system.
• System installed from June 2022 to June 2023.
• First intake of products happened in August 2023.
• First outbound deliveries to customers occurred in September 2023.
• Kolding warehouse combines three smaller manual warehouses into one: Previously, spare parts were located in Østbirk, blinds and other accessories in Skjern and roof windows in Kolding.
• A roof window weighs on average 53 kg.
• The warehouse contains 12 robots - two 2 picking robots and 10 pallet cranes.
• A solar park provides 80 percent of the power - to be completed in Q3 of 2024.
• The high-tech warehouse can handle up to 50 percent more goods than a manual warehouse.
• VELUX has invested more than DKK 100 million in the highly automated warehouse.

The decision to slowly recommence roof window production across the VELUX Group in Europe is based on the need to replenish stock and to meet the current demand for our products in several markets. Furthermore, a limited start-up will maintain workplace stability and support the functioning of societies where we operate.

All the affected VELUX roof window manufacturing facilities in Europe will initiate weekly production on three out of five weekdays from April 14 and until further notice. The number of weekly working days will be adjusted as needed, based on sales, stock and component supply availability.

The following manufacturing facilities will slowly recommence operations:

Germany

• JTJ Sonneborn Industrie GMBH

Poland

• NB Polska Sp. z o.o.
• NM Polska Sp. z o.o.

Hungary

• VELUX Magyarország Kft, LKR-Hungary

Slovakia

• Partizánske Building Components – SK s.r.o.

Denmark

• A/S Østbirk Bygningsindustri
• Skærbæk Bygningsindustri A/S
• Velterm A/S
• Thyregod Bygningsindustri A/S

France

• KH-France
• SK-France
• VELSOL France
• VKR France

A limited number of employees will return to work at each of the above locations. Precautionary measures will remain in place and be heightened as needed to safeguard the health of employees who return to work and to also protect suppliers and partners that they interact with.

The VELUX Group will continue to monitor the development of the Corona (COVID-19) virus spread and the resultant impact on sales and supply and will take additional measures accordingly. The health and well-being of employees remains top priority, plus our societal duty to assist in preventing the spread of the virus, while securing deliveries to our customers.

Read about other Corona virus preventive measures that we have taken in our global organisation.

Germany

• JTJ Sonneborn Industrie GMBH

The suspension of production affects approximately 300 employees. Approximately 100 employees will continue to work at the facility, which in addition to production, also includes a warehouse. They will handle orders and ensure customer deliveries.

Poland

• NB Polska Sp. z o.o.
• NM Polska Sp. z o.o.

The suspension of production affects approximately 1,500 employees.

Hungary

• VELUX Magyarország Kft, LKR-Hungary

The suspension of production affects approximately 800 employees.

Slovakia

• Partizánske Building Components – SK s.r.o.

The suspension of production affects approximately 450 employees.

Denmark

• A/S Østbirk Bygningsindustri
• Skærbæk Bygningsindustri A/S
• Velterm A/S
• Thyregod Bygningsindustri A/S

The suspension of production affects approximately 350 employees. Approximately 250 employees will continue to work at Østbirk, Velterm and Skærbæk combined.

A limited number of employees will be available to handle emergencies related to all locations affected.

The decision to suspend production at the CEE and Danish locations follows a previous announcement to suspend production at four manufacturing facilities in France until at least March 27, affecting approximately 400 employees.

The VELUX Group will continue to monitor the development of the Corona (COVID-19) virus spread and the resultant impact on sales and will take additional measures accordingly. Our focus during these difficult times is on keeping our employees and our business partners safe and on our societal duty to assist in preventing the spread of the virus, while securing deliveries to our customers.

Read about other Corona virus preventive measures that we have taken in our global organisation.