HANDLER and Schwarhofer combine expertise in Styria
HANDLER, one of Austria’s leading and most innovative construction and real estate companies, sees continuous development as a key driving force behind its actions. With the acquisition of part of the business operations of Schwarhofer Planung und Bau GmbH*, based in Grafendorf, the company is consistently continuing along this path. Through the partial integration into the HANDLER Group, planning and construction expertise will be strengthened, the value chain expanded, and the holistic execution of construction projects in Styria further developed.
Regional expansion of planning and construction expertise
HANDLER combines seven trades under one roof and delivers both large-scale projects and regional developments, such as single-family homes. The focus lies on comprehensive project support throughout all construction phases — from planning to completion — as well as on the efficient and resource-conscious use of building materials. A key success factor is the continuous development of the group of companies, with a strong emphasis on deepening the value chain and increasing the degree of prefabrication. An important step in this process is the integration of employees and, with them, the planning and construction expertise of Schwarhofer Planung und Bau GmbH.
For many years, Schwarhofer Planung und Bau GmbH has been recognized in Styria as a competent planning office and has specialized in the realization of affordable housing projects with a high degree of prefabrication. The partial acquisition allows synergies to be utilized more effectively and expertise to be bundled, thereby strengthening both the regional presence and the execution of construction projects as a total and general contractor.
Roland Schwarhofer comments on this step: “The decisive factor was above all the desire to be even closer and more responsive to our clients with greater manpower. This opens up new perspectives and opportunities for us. In the future, we will be able to realize significantly larger and more complex projects than before.”
A large proportion of the employees will be taken over, and a HANDLER branch office will be established at the existing location in Grafendorf. Since April, Roland Schwarhofer and his team have been contributing their expertise and will continue their activities within the HANDLER Group going forward.
Michael Stadler, Division Manager and Authorized Signatory at HANDLER, himself originally from Styria and living in Grafendorf, is responsible for the integration at HANDLER: “Serial prefabrication and standardization are key topics for the future. With this step, we are strategically strengthening our know-how, consolidating our planning expertise, and becoming an even more capable partner for highly demanding construction projects. Styria is an important strategic growth market for us.”
About HANDLER
The HANDLER Group is one of the leading family-owned companies in Austria’s construction and real estate industry, with a construction volume of nearly EUR 300 million, a project development volume of more than EUR 250 million, and over 30 shareholdings. Since 1862, the company has stood for entrepreneurial continuity, strong implementation expertise, and sustainable development along the entire value chain.
As an employer, HANDLER focuses on sustainable development and long-term prospects for its employees. Individual development opportunities as well as modern working models — including the successfully established four-day workweek — are key components of the company culture.
*As part of an asset deal; limitation of liability according to the publication in the Austrian commercial register.
