Burnley firm VEKA axes 25 jobs

The uPVC window system company launched a consultation process two months ago after the pandemic resulted in the loss of two important customers.

Managing director David Jones said: “Having started the process on Monday, June 15th, establishing an employee elected committee responsible for taking group redundancy consultations, we have followed it to its conclusion.

"Fortunately, throughout the process, working with our committee, we were able to reduce the impact from an estimated redundancy of 78 roles to 25. This equates to 6.5% of our workforce and reflects the new scale of the business.”

Conducting the process in an ever-changing environment saw VEKA plc taking a phased approach to the redundancies.

Phase one redundancies represented roles that the business could not foresee and short-medium term relief from the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and have now been completed.

Phase two roles were those roles that were dependent on seeing positive sales upturn in July; focusing specifically on the operational needs of the business to support the manufacturing demand.

Due to a strong result in July and a more positive overall industry outlook in the coming months, VEKA plc will no longer proceed with Phase 2 redundancies.

VEKA is continuing to support those affected by redundancy by offering outplacement support and extending wellbeing packages for a number of months following each individuals’ leave date.

“This isn’t the first time that VEKA plc had to make some tough decisions in order to weather a storm and I recognise that Covid-19 continues to impact communities and may, in turn, have further impact on business.

"Although I’m saddened that this has resulted in losing valued employees, by adapting and acting responsibly to ensure the sustainable success of the business, VEKA plc is not just here for now, but for the future and for life.”