VEKA Group wins the EY Entrepreneur Of The Year Award 2025

On November 6, 2025, Elke and Andreas Hartleif were honored in Munich with the prestigious “EY Entrepreneur Of The Year” award in the category Family Business. This recognition by EY celebrates entrepreneurial spirit, drive for innovation, and the lasting commitment of the VEKA Group to sustainability in the construction industry. For more than 50 years, VEKA has stood for quality, recyclability and forward-thinking solutions in high-end PVC systems for windows and doors. With over 7,000 employees at 54 locations worldwide, the VEKA Group actively shapes the future of building and sets new standards for durability and energy efficiency.

An award with special meaning

This award is not only a testament to current entrepreneurial achievements but also an emotional moment for the entire VEKA family. Years ago, Heinrich Laumann, founder of the VEKA Group and our company's namesake, attended the award ceremony together with his daughter Elke Hartleif, at that time as nominees. Now, many years later, Elke Hartleif and her husband Andreas Hartleif are proud to finally accept this award. It is a moving thought that we can celebrate this success in his name. We are convinced that Heinrich Laumann would be proud of how his life’s work has evolved and of the innovative strength of today’s VEKA Group.

Modern leadership and sustainable growth

VEKA is a family business with a clear profile. “The most important thing for us was to remain independent as a family business”, says Andreas Hartleif, CEO of the VEKA Group. This independence and close cohesion continue to shape our actions today. “I know all the local managers personally”, reports Elke Hartleif, who, as Chief Human Resources Officer, places particular value on an open corporate culture. Modern leadership tools such as trust-based working hours, mobile work and job sharing have long been established at VEKA. At the same time, she focuses on personal interaction and a strong connection to our region: all employees are primarily recruited locally, and the VEKA training program has received multiple awards.

Responsibility and innovation as guiding principles

The jury especially recognized VEKA’s vision, sense of responsibility and innovative power, which have shaped the industry for decades. As early as 1993, VEKA commissioned Europe’s largest recycling plant for old windows, long before the circular economy became a political focus. This attitude in recognizing opportunities and acting with confidence continues to drive us today. Winning the “EY Entrepreneur Of The Year 2025” award is both confirmation and motivation to continue developing sustainable and innovative solutions for our customers and partners worldwide. The next generation of the Hartleif family is already waiting in line. We look forward to continuing VEKA’s success story together.