LAS VEGAS — PVC window profile extruder Veka Inc. has built a new wing onto its Fombell, Pa., headquarters to manufacture composite decking and vinyl fencing. The $15 million, 130,000-square-foot addition is under construction, but the company displayed prototypes of its new product lines at Remodel America, held March 16-18 in Las Vegas.
"We just wanted to see what everybody thought of it. It's been a hit," said Larry Johnson, manager of business development.
Veka, which traditionally has concentrated on PVC window profiles, shutters, doors and sheet, decided it wanted a piece of the growing decking and fencing markets, he said.
"A lot of our customers have asked for it, and it was a market we weren't touching," Johnson said.
Veka's wood/PVC composite decking resembles an unfinished, light-oak board. The fencing is white vinyl reinforced with aluminum. Both boast the usual benefits of plastic vs. wood, such as no rotting, warping or splintering.
The new product lines initially will be manufactured at the Fombell facility, where expansion is scheduled to be complete by the second quarter, Johnson said.
The decking and railing is set to begin rolling off the extruders in June and the fencing will be available in August, he said.
Johnson said he is unsure how many extruders will be added to handle the additional capacity. After the Pennsylvania project, the company's Reno, Nev., plant probably is next in line to expand, he said.
Veka plans to manufacture 23 styles of fencing and, in June, the company will introduce composite decking with a hidden-screw system.
Upon completion of the Fombell expansion, manufacturing space for Veka USA will total about 600,000 square feet.
Veka reported 1998 sales of $95 million, placing it at No. 29 on Plastics News' most recent ranking of North American pipe, profile and tubing extruders.
Veka's parent company, Veka AG in Sendenhorst, Germany, reported 1998 sales of $416 million.