VBH Magazin 2/2009

ContentsTHE COMPANYVBH Annual Meeting 2009:Dividends Raised, a PositiveAnnual Profit Expected04 - 05THE BRANDGreat Britain:A New Name and New Products06 - 07SIMPLYEVERYTHINGTo Order Quicker, Simpler andWithout MistakesLOGOS in Greece08 - 10EVERYTHINGSIMPLEgreenteQ with New Products11WORLD-WIDEVBH in Asia.Raimund Bertsch – an AustrianWindows Manufacturer in Thailand12 - 15The VBH MagazinePublished four times a yearEditorial Office:Johannes RaveVBH Holding AGSiemenstrasse 3870825 Korntal-MünchingenE-Mail J.Rave@vbh.deTelephone 0049 7150 1527903

SIMPLYEVERYTHINGSupport on SitePhoto above: Advisory services on site - Simon Seibert with his customer Dirk Schmittof the company Wipfler, Mannheim. Below: VBH SCM office employee Kirsten Sanderexplains the details of the scanner to VBH apprentice Philip Mayerof doubt we contact the customer againto clear the matter“, so Seibert. “Obviousmistakes can be eliminated and none hasto be afraid that he will be at the mercy ofthe new technique with the scanner.” Theadvantage: As the order is entered directlyfrom the scanner into the VBH systemthe entry of stock numbers are no longernecessary. Hence typing errors and theswapping of numbers may be avoided. Inso doing the error ratio could have beenlowered by one percent – in face of fourmillion order items p. a. it is up to 40,000consignments.In connection with LOGOS VBH offersits customers a whole bunch of individualsolutions for their inventory management.Besides the installation VBH provides advicefor the companies and instructs thestaff. Furthermore the labelling of the storageracks is required. In coordination withthe company VBH generates the respectivebarcode labels which may freely bedesigned according to the customer preferences.The basis are the hitherto productand purchase order reports of the customerand at the choice of the fastening ofthe adhesive or non-adhesive labels theymay select one out of broad variety. Forthe format as well as for the information,which shall be contained an individual layoutis available and, of course, the integrationof the own logo. “With LOGOS ourcustomers take a step forward concerningtheir warehousing,” emphasises Seibert.“The changeover is easily arranged andhenceforward they benefit from the systemevery day.” Via the customer portalvbh24 the order may be tracked roundthe clock and if desired it may still bechanged. In so doing changes are evenpossible in the late afternoon.Beispiele deutscher und tschechischer Scanner-Etiketten09

Daniel MiliorellisThe Successful Implementationof LOGOS in Greeceand the Czech RepublicNot only in Germany but also in Spain,Italy, France and Russia many of thecompanies use the electronic orderingsystem. Since August 2008 LO-GOS is also available in Greece andthe Czech Republic.In Greece the scanner system of VBH getsa great feedback. Within a few months alreadytwelve enterprises have adoptedLOGOS. Also in the Czech Republic eightcompanies use the solution and they areconvinced of the advantages. Always twosteps are necessary for the implementation:Step one is to discuss the respectivewarehouse management with the customer,the labelling of the each product is determinedas well as the individual designof the barcode labels. The second step isthe installation of the scanner in addition tothe instruction of the staff. “In the beginningsome of our customers had been sceptic,”explains Daniel Miliorellis, CE-consultantof VBH Hellas, “but after first tests theyquickly noticed that the handling of thescanner is very simple and that they areAt VBH in the Czech Republic:Tomáš Reisigl with his customer Mrs. Bublikova, the company Okna Harald and the LOGOS-Scannergoing to save a lot of time. Also importantfor an enterprise is the service and supportin their own national language.” Hence ineach country there is one VBH employeewho is the expert in charge and the contactperson for the enterprises on site.USB-Scanners forOperating via InternetAs a special feature in some countriesthe companies operate with USB scanners,in fact when the companies havetrouble with an unstable telephone network.In these cases the connection withthe VBH systems works via internet. “Allyou need is a computer with internet access.The scanner is connected with thecomputer by an USB cable and providesthe complete range of settings,” statesDaniel Miliorellis. That includes also theorder tracking via the customer portalvbh24.de. Each month the web site recordsmore than 20,000 inquiries concerningpurchase order and delivery status.In Germany already 30 percent of thesales are ordered electronically.10

EVERYTHINGSIMPLEgreenteQ: A Successful Startand New ProductsSince its introduction to the market inMarch 2009 the new private brand greenteQof VBH is facing a great feedback alreadyin the first two months. Particularlyin the international markets the conceptionto offer high quality basic productsat a favourable price-performance-ratiobridges a gap in the markets. “We haveintroduced the new private brand greenteQsimultaneously in selected pilot countriesand have gained a high degree ofacceptance especially with customersoperating in present difficult markets outsideGermany,” confirms Markus Röser,vice president category management.“That reinforces our first priority to satisfyour customer with high quality.” With itspresentation and its pricing the greenteQproduct range clearly differs from thebrands of VBH partners world-wide.Quality in Detail:A 5 Year Warranty for Roller Shutter MotorsNew in the greenteQ assortment are rollershutter motors. With different installationsizes as well as with or without remotecontrol the roller shutters may be operatedeasily with them. The motors aresturdy, persistent and absolutely maintenancefree. They are running preciselyand silently and an integrated thermostatprevents the motor from damages due toexcessive load. “Good quality is always inthe details and that is what we pay our fullattention to when producing greenteQ,”explains private brand manager NatalieGiebelhaus. “Therefore we are in the situationto offer to our customers a 5 yearswarranty on the roller shutter motors.” Theprivate brand greenteQ is the completionof the comprehensive VBH assortmentof brands in the range of basic productsfor the day-to-day requirements. This includesfoam insulation, sealing components,window foils and tapes as well assetting blocks, carpenter’s glue and interiorwindowsills. At the production VBHmakes allowance for the requirementsand wishes of the clientele world-wideand produces the appropriate supplies.Within the coming months VBH is goingto expand the product range of its privatebrand step by step.By greenteQ Motors Roller Shutters May be Updated without Difficulties11

André GeffkeAsia Relies on Qualityand Higher StandardsThe Asian market is undergoing achange. A couple of years ago stillshaped by numerous small businessesoffering low-priced articles in the todaymarket owners, prime contractorsand public awarding authorities nowincreasingly rely on international standards.With faster logistics, a comprehensiveproduct range and numerousaffiliates VBH supports the commercialisationof suppliers and manufacturersof windows and doors on site.Four billion people – about 60 percent ofthe world’s population – are living on thebiggest mainland of the earth, which comprisesabout one-third of the complete landmass and is divided into more than 50 singlestates: Asia.The one who nevertheless is always keepinghis head above water is André Geffke.As the vice president Asia Pacific MiddleEast of VBH he knows the entire region,the differences but also the things in common.According to him the single marketsare often comparable concerning theproducts and the structure of the clientele,while mentality and culture differs inherently.“For example in countries like Indiaand the Middle East business is made verydirectly while in China business is made inan indirect manner.” Hence European enterpriseshave to enter the Asian marketadequately prepared and skilled. At thesame time the markets experience a positivedevelopment and particularly Europeanmanufacturers enjoy a good reputation.Affected by environmental stress likenoisiness, dust and heat but also by badexperiences with building components oflow value many owners and especiallypublic awarding authorities ever morecount on international standards. For bothwindows and doors manufacturers andsuppliers now experts are crucial and asa result numerous manufacturers of Europeanstandard have established their businessin Asia within the last years.Manufacturers in Trouble withCustoms and Transport CostsParticularly the markets in Southeast Asiawith the fast emerging economies in Thailandand Malaysia, but also in Vietnam,Singapore and India are undergoing abrisk change. In these countries VBH is onthe spot and offers assistance for procurement,distribution and business initiationfor suppliers as well as for customers. Dueto the vast distances between constructionVBH Thailand in spring 2009 – upper row f.l.t.r: Purim Chirasarnchai – Andre Geffke – Johannes Grau - Phumiphat Gulati.Middle row: Rachanee Sorcharoensup - Spitcha Luangruangrong - Sutthisa Jamrussiripak - Sunee Banyaem First row: Supranee Thongsuk - Pattama Bunnak12

WORLD-WIDEThe real estate market in Asia is booming.hardware manufacturers and the producersof windows in many times the transportcosts pay off not until a shipment up to avolume of a container – quite too much fora handicraft business or small-scale windowsand doors manufacturers. Generallythey are in need of short-term manageablequantities. “Therefore it is our strategyto offer a comprehensive assortmentwith short delivery times so our customersare not obliged to order big quantities andhence face a long-term capital lockup – justeverything simple and simply everything,”explains André Geffke. And this conceptiongoes over well with the customers. Inface of the present state of economy VBHachieves a two-digit growth in this region.Pictures from Shanghai (above) and Beijing (below).Central Logistics of VBHProvide Quick AvailabilityThe customers benefit from the well-coordinatedand sophisticated logistics ofVBH. The regional central warehouse is inthe former English colony Singapore. Traditionallythe free trade is still rating highhere and no import duties are imposed.So VBH is in the situation to hold availablebig quantities of goods and distribute themto the affiliates in the Asian region in linewith demand. This allows for short deliverytimes and low transport costs. Alreadysince a couple of time VBH has been doingbusiness in China, Australia and theMiddle East. In the past years Thailand,Malaysia, Vietnam and Kuwait followed.Further branches on the Philippines and inIndonesia are just in the pipeline.13

Raymond Bertsch –An Austrian WindowsManufacturer in ThailandRaimund BertschTogether with his partner Andreas PfefferlRaymond Bertsch produces highqualitywindows in Thailand. MeanwhileA.R.C. Window & Door Co., Ltd.has turned out to be an important windowsfactory and as Raymond Bertschreports the local market for high classwindows is growing.Mr. Bertsch, how did an Austrian get to Thailandand found a windows manufactory?I love the sun, the sand and the sea. Iknew Thailand from various vacation tripsand right from the beginning I have beencaptivated. In 1992 I sold my goods andchattels in Austria and went to Thailandwith some money in my pocket. Here Imet my business partner Andreas Pfefferlwho has his origins in Munich. At the firstgo we got along well and decided to establisha business. First it had been theexport of soft goods to Germany beforewe decided to found a company for airconditioningtechnologies with the focuson energy-saving solutions. Later we alsoincluded roof isolation and as a logicalelement of this business we got the ideato offer double glazed PVC windows – atlast the coldness from the air condition issupposed to remain in the house, isn’t it?Hasn’t it been a challenge to establish abusiness in a foreign country with a differentculture?Of course in the beginning it hat been difficultbut we didn’t want to leave this countryagain and so we struggled throughwith the help from Thai and other friendsand with a lot of own initiative. It had beenessential to know the Thai language. Andconcerning profiles and polymer processingmachines we got technical supportfrom VEKA, our profile manufacturer inGermany, the one we chose after a longerresearch.Hence we started the production, thesales and the installation of PVC windowswith some second-hand machines and a300 sqm factory work floor. After we hadenlarged the work floor three times webuilt our own factory. Now we have a workfloor of more than 3000 sqm.F.l.t.r.: Johannes Grau (VBH), Soros Yodmongkol(Factory Manager A.R.C.), Raimund Bertsch (A.R.C.)14

WORLD-WIDEHow does VBH contribute to your successand what does VBH provide for your enterprisein Thailand?In the early stages we still imported theconstruction hardware and accessoriesourselves but it meant comparably greatdeals and thus an immense capital lockup.Then Hannes Grau of VBH offered us hisrange of products which was nearly perfectlyadapted to our windows – so we becameVBH customers and from that timeon we abstain from own imports. The service,the delivery times, the price and theterms of payment are simply great. And tillthis day VBH has always found a solutionalso for very individual windows and doorssystems. This is crucial for the engineersin our company. Not to forget the great assistanceof VBH for the extension and constructionof our sales branches in Phuket,Hua Hin, Ko-Samui and Bangkok.“To this day VBH has alwaysfound a solution!”Thank you for that interview and keep onbeing successful!These figures indicate that there is a marketfor windows manufactures in Thailandindeed.Johannes Grau (VBH) and Raimund Bertsch at the entrance of the A.R.C. premisesYes, a couple of years ago the market hadbeen dominated by more or less low-pricedaluminium and wooden products. But asconstruction methods have been improvingsteadily and more and more customersare now asking for better quality I am surethat the share in the market for high qualitywindows and doors will keep on growingconsiderably. Also foreigners who buildtheir houses here set great store by goodmaterial and safe windows and doors.Why did you decide in favour of PVCwindows?The main focus we set on the high qualityand the favourable energy-saving properties.Furthermore we chose PVC due toreasons of cleaning and maintenance. Notevery material is suitable for this region –very important are the climatic conditionsin Thailand and the UV resistance.15

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