The VELUX Group makes major contribution to festive handball finals

For the second time, the VELUX Group is sponsoring the number one event in club team handball – the VELUX EHF FINAL4, which takes place in Cologne during the last weekend in May.
The final with two teams from Spain and two from Germany marks the culmination of the first full year with the VELUX Group as title sponsor. The Group has entered a three-year agreement to be main sponsor for the men's tournament VELUX EHF Champions League, fought out between 24 club teams from 16 countries in Europe. 140 matches have been played leading up to the grand final that, like last year, will be staged in the impressive Lanxess Arena in Cologne.
Although the eyes of the 40,000 fans in the arena and the millions of viewers who will watch the finals live on television will be on the players taking part in the VELUX EHF FINAL4, nobody will be in any doubt of the VELUX Group's role in the event. The Group will have a presence in the arena and outside, with various activities, competitions and product displays. Already when the company tested the sponsorship last year by putting its name to the round of finals, it was immediately apparent that a sporting event like this fully met all the requirements for a well-functioning and profitable sponsorship.
"Our policy is to go for title sponsorship – and we always go on board as a very active partner. In our experience, that gives the best result, both for us and the event arranger," says Marketing Director Michael Rasmussen of the VELUX Group.
"We generate awareness of our brand, we see a positive effect on sales and, equally important, we have the opportunity to cement relations with the customers we invite to the event. Compared to many other marketing activities we could support, this sponsorship gives an extraordinarily good return on our investment," comments Michael Rasmussen.
13 of our sales companies have invited almost 700 customers and business associates to the nail-biting drama of the finals. They will all have access to exclusive lounge areas where they will find refreshment to sustain them as they watch the matches from the best seats in the house. In the course of the weekend, the Group will proclaim the most dedicated and passionate fan, and spectators and guests alike will have the chance to meet one of the best and most creative Danish handball players, Lars Christiansen, who has a long and glorious career in Germany behind him, with 14 seasons in SG Flensburg Handewitt. Lars Christiansen now plays for the Danish team KIF Kolding. And finally, the VELUX Group will present its new collection of blackout blinds, specially created by the design guru Karim Rashid.
"Handball is a clear expression of team spirit and winner mentality. That is yet another reason why the sponsorship fits in so well with our company – we have similar values about commitment in our work and the necessity for team spirit to reach a team goal," concludes Michael Rasmussen.
The programme for the weekend comprises two semi-finals, the match for third and fourth place and the high spot of the whole tournament – the final itself. All of them will receive massive media coverage, with close on 200 journalists from 21 countries attending. This alone underlines the invaluable and international impact of the VELUX EHF FINAL4.
About the VELUX Group
The VELUX Group creates better living environments with daylight and fresh air through the roof. The VELUX product programme contains a wide range of roof windows and skylights, along with solutions for flat roofs. The Group also supplies many types of decoration and sun screening, roller shutters, installation products, products for remote control and thermal solar panels for installation in roofs. The VELUX Group, which has manufacturing companies in 11 countries and sales companies in just under 40 countries, represents one of the strongest brands in the global building materials sector and its products are sold in most parts of the world. The VELUX Group has about 10,000 employees and is owned by VKR Holding A/S, a limited company wholly owned by foundations and family. For more details, visit www.velux.com .