HANDLER strategically realigns its corporate leadership

The HANDLER Group is realigning its corporate leadership with a forward-looking approach. HANDLER is expanding its executive management team to include Mag. Barbara Freiler and DI Michael Schranz, both of whom have already held senior management positions as managing directors within the group for several years. Together with DI Markus Handler, they will form the future management team of the HANDLER Group.

As part of this development, Mag. Barbara Freiler and DI Michael Schranz will assume expanded areas of responsibility in line with the company’s strategic direction and planned growth trajectory. With this restructuring, HANDLER is strengthening its leadership organization and laying the foundation for the next phase of corporate development.

 

Strategic Development of the Leadership Structure

The realignment of the corporate leadership in 2026 marks another milestone in the development of the HANDLER Group. The goal is to align the organization even more closely with future market requirements and to systematically expand strategic growth areas.

In this context, Mag. Barbara Freiler and DI Michael Schranz will take on extended responsibilities. Both bring many years of experience within the group, along with strong professional and strategic expertise to their new roles. Together, they aim to sustainably expand HANDLER’s market position, develop new business areas, and further strengthen the group’s innovative capacity.

 

Expanded Responsibilities in Management

Mag. Barbara Freiler will, in addition to her existing duties, assume responsibility for the entire structural building sector (building construction) within the HANDLER Group. With her extensive expertise in finance, strategy, and corporate development, she will play a key role in shaping and advancing this core business area. Her expanded role also underlines HANDLER’s commitment to modern leadership structures and the active promotion of diversity in top management.

 

DI Michael Schranz will focus more strongly on the strategic development and expansion of the operational units within the HANDLER Group. These include, in particular, timber system construction, roofing, sheet metal works, waterproofing, as well as building and electrical services engineering. A key focus of his work will be the targeted expansion of vertical integration and the consistent growth of the company’s presence in the German market.

 

Statement by DI Markus Handler on the Realignment

“With the further development of our leadership structure, we are laying the foundation for the next strategic step of the HANDLER Group. Our goal is to systematically expand our value creation depth, enter new markets, and sustainably strengthen our position—especially in Germany. After successfully establishing the essential foundations last year, our focus now lies on the consistent further development and consolidation of these structures, as well as the gradual expansion of our market position. We see ourselves as an integrated provider along the entire construction and real estate value chain, with a clearly expanded service offering beyond traditional construction services. The foundation for this lies in employees who take responsibility, think entrepreneurially, and continuously contribute to the company’s development. This mindset defines the HANDLER Group—today and in the future.”

 

Statement by Mag. Barbara Freiler on the Future Direction of Building Construction

“I am pleased to also take on strategic responsibility for building construction within the HANDLER Group in the future. We have a lot planned together: for me, sustainable corporate growth arises where every individual can grow personally and develop their full potential. Our shared ambition is to deliver sustainable, high-quality solutions for our clients through clear structures, strong expertise, and powerful teams.”

 

Statement by DI Michael Schranz on the Strategic Direction

“Actively shaping the further development of the HANDLER Group is a key entrepreneurial responsibility for me. By deepening our value chain and expanding into new markets, we are creating the conditions for sustainable growth while strengthening our competitiveness.”

 

Personnel

Mag. Barbara Freiler has been part of the HANDLER Group since 2016 and is a member of the management board of Handler Holding GmbH. In her role as CFO, she is responsible for finance, legal matters, and central strategic agendas of the group, including ESG. She will drive the further development of the building construction sector from her role as a shareholder of Handler Holding GmbH. Before joining HANDLER, the trained lawyer and business economist worked, among others, for Magna International and a renowned Austrian commercial law firm.

 

DI Michael Schranz has been with the HANDLER Group since 2004 and has held several key positions across various business areas throughout his career. Through his broad operational and strategic experience, he has continuously developed into a defining leadership figure within the company. Since 2016, he has been Managing Director of HANDLER Bau GmbH, where he is responsible for the development of core business areas. A particular focus lies on increasing efficiency through digitalization and the consistent application of lean management methods.

 

About HANDLER

With a construction volume of nearly €300 million, a project development volume of over €250 million, and more than 30 shareholdings, the HANDLER Group is one of the leading family-owned companies in the construction and real estate industry in Austria. Since 1862, the company has stood for entrepreneurial continuity, strong execution capabilities, and sustainable development across the entire value chain.

As a project developer and specialist in general and total contracting, the group delivers complex projects in residential construction, healthcare, education, and commercial sectors with around 550 employees. The close organizational and professional integration of key competencies within the group enables efficient, end-to-end project delivery across all phases.

In addition, the HANDLER Group invests in selected future-oriented fields, particularly mobility, digitalization, and artificial intelligence. These areas are strategically developed and interconnected within the group to create innovative solutions along the entire construction and real estate value chain and unlock additional growth potential. 

As an employer, HANDLER focuses on sustainable development and long-term perspectives for its employees. Individual development opportunities and modern working models—including the successfully established four-day workweek—are key elements of the company culture.