In this episode of Ayna Insights, host Dinesh Chopra, President of Ayna, speaks with Joe Peilert, President and CEO of Veka Inc., on the challenges and opportunities shaping the building products sector. Peilert shares how interest rates, tariffs, and labor costs are impacting the industry, and highlights the need for long-term strategy, customer alignment, and operational agility. The conversation also explores product trends such as color preferences, impact performance, and outdoor living solutions, as well as the role of automation and geographic diversification in driving recovery and growth. Joe Peilert has led Veka Inc., a global leader in window and door systems, since 2010, steering its North American operations through post-crisis recovery and beyond. His career includes CEO of TMI, senior roles at Freberg, and EVP at Ardex, a global specialty building materials company. With an MBA from Ruhr University Bochum, Peilert has guided Veka through economic cycles while sustaining market leadership and advancing diversification initiatives.   Discussion Points (00:00) Market conditions and interest rates weigh heavily on the building sector, demanding strategic responses. (02:26) Tariffs shape capex and sourcing, while rising labor costs outpace material pressures. (05:23) Diversification across geographies and products balances construction vs. renovation cycles. (08:43) Capital goes to regional support and automation, with customized solutions driving differentiation. (13:27) Leadership calls for long-term focus, customer closeness, and operational agility in crises. Ayna is a premier advisory and implementation firm in the industrial technology space, leveraging a team of experienced leaders to help companies and investors drive performance improvement and value creation. The host of this episode is Ayna’s Dinesh Chopra.   For More Information Veka Inc. Joe (Joachim) Peilert LinkedIn Dinesh Chopra LinkedIn Ayna.AI Website