[ IN PRACTICE ] CASEBOOK
Sunset Opens New Windows for VEKA THE CUSTOMER VEKA Inc., based in Fombell,
When working to provide its customers with innovative window and door systems along with multiple rail and deck solutions, VEKA Inc. emphasizes quality service, transparency, and accountability. However, a previous logistics partner’s shift to a more automated approach degraded responsiveness and service. VEKA sought a new logistics partner that was similarly committed to service and reliability. It found a match with Sunset Transportation.
Pennsylvania, is a leading provider of innovative window, door, fence, deck, and rail solutions, with operations on four continents. THE PROVIDER Sunset Transportation is a third- party logistics provider and business unit of Armada Sunset Holdings. It oers a variety of transportation and logistics solutions, including advanced TMS solutions and reporting. Sunset operates seven branch oces in the United States and Mexico.
because the partner was unable to provide the same transportation carriers consistently. This is critical, as once carriers become familiar with VEKA’s products—many of which are large and bulky—they learn how to transport them on time and without damaging them. PICKING A WINNER McCall and her colleagues launched a request-for-proposal (RFP) process to identify a logistics partner that could offer the quality service VEKA requires. Key to a winning partner’s suitability would be strong carrier relationships that could improve warehouse deliveries and enable proactive handling of inquiries and claims. When McCall and her team initiated the RFP, VEKA hadn’t had to evaluate new 3PLs in more than a decade. As they benchmarked potential partners, it became clear that technology, which used to distinguish one logistics provider from another, no longer played such a large role. “They all have the same tech,” McCall notes.
VEKA’s 6,700-plus employees operate in more than 30 countries, producing 1,500-plus window, door, fencing, decking, and railing systems. In business for more than 50 years, VEKA has built a reputation for superior employee engagement and customer satisfaction. To continue to meet this goal, VEKA North America works with third-party logistics (3PL) providers, partnering with those that offer both leading technology and personalized service. A previous logistics partner, in an attempt to boost ef ciency, shifted to largely automated processes. However, this move ended up disrupting many of VEKA’s operations, including customer service and accounting. VEKA employees often had to spend time and resources tracking down missing trucks, which impacted the company’s ability to maintain strong customer relationships. “There were problems every day,” recalls Dyan McCall, VEKA’s director of customer supply chain for North America. In part, these challenges occurred
by Karen Kroll
July 2025 • Inbound Logistics 175
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