Companies of Austria

Swarovski

Swarovski is the brand name for the range of precision-cut crystal glass products produced by companies owned by Swarovski AG of Feldmeilen, near Zürich, Switzerland. Swarovski was founded in 1895 by a Bohemian, Daniel Swarovski, who established a crystal cutting factory in Wattens (near Innsbruck, Tyrol, Austria) where he could take advantage of local hydroelectricity for the energy-intensive grinding processes he had patented. The Swarovski Crystal range includes crystal sculptures and miniatures, jewellery and couture, home decor, chandeliers, and beads and rhinestones for manufacturers and artists. All sculptures are marked as authentic with Swarovski's swan logo. A notable recent development was the 2004 release of a new copyrighted cut, Xilion, designed to optimise the brilliance of Roses (crystal components with flat backs) and Chatons (diamond cut). The Swarovski Group also includes Tyrolit (makers of abrasive and cutting tools); Swareflex (reflective and luminous road markings); Signity (synthetic gemstones); and Swarovski Optik (optical instruments). The company runs a crystal-themed indoor theme park, Swarovski Krystallwelten (Crystal Worlds) at its original Wattens site.

Blum

Julius Blum GmbH manufactures hinges for the furniture industry. It is based in Höchst, Vorarlberg in Austria.

Zumtobel Lighting Group

As a group of leading lighting brands and companies Zumtobel provides complete professional lighting solutions, luminaires, lighting management and lighting components for indoor and outdoor applications. With production facilities in Europe, North America, Australia and Asia, and sales and consultancy centres in almost 100 countries, the Zumtobel Group is one of the few global players in the lighting industry. The Group is based in Dornbirn, Austria, and comprises two sub-groups: Zumtobel Lighting Group, with the Zumtobel Staff and Thorn lighting brands; and the TridonicAtco Group, which manufactures lighting components.

Zumtobel was founded in 1950 by Dr. Walter Zumtobel as "Elektrogeräte- und Kunstharzpreßwerk W. Zumtobel KG" in Dornbirn. The company produced ballasts for the newly introduced fluorescent light fittings.

Austria Metall AG

AMAG (Austria Metall AG) is situated in the village Ranshofen which is belonging to Braunau am Inn (Upper Austria) and was founded in 1938. It is the biggest company in the Austrian Aluminium industry sector.

Engel Austria

Engel is a manufacturer of moulding machines and based in Schwertberg, Austria. Owner: 100% family owned Sales 2003: € 538 mio. Export: 93 % Workforce: 3.281 employees.

KTM (motorcycle manufacturer)

Kronreif, Trunkenpolz, Mattighofen (KTM) is a Austrian motorcycle manufacturer. The company was founded in 1934 by engineer Hans Trunkenpolz in Mattighofen. It started out as a metalworking shop and was named Kraftfahrzeuge Trunkenpolz Mattighofen. It wasn't until 1953 that KTM began production of motorcycles. With just 20 employees, motorcycles were built at the rate of three per day. In 1955, a businessman Ernst Kronreif became shareholder of the company, on acquiring a sizable portion of the company. It was then renamed Kronreif, Trunkenpolz, Mattighofen. Trunkenpolz died unexpectedly in 1962. During these early years of motocycle production at KTM, almost all components for the motorcycles were built in-house by KTM.

Rosenbauer

The Rosenbauer Group is one of the world’s three largest manufacturers of fire-service vehicles, based in Leonding, Austria. Owner: majority family owned Sales 2003: EUR 286 mill. Workforce: 1249.

Oesterreichische Nationalbank

The Oesterreichische Nationalbank (OeNB) is the central bank of the Republic of Austria and, as such, an integral part of both the European System of Central Banks (ESCB) and the Eurozone. In the public interest, the OeNB contributes to monetary and economic policy decision-making in Austria and in the Euro area. In line with the Federal Act on the Oesterreichische Nationalbank, the OeNB is a stock corporation. Given its status as a central bank, it is, however, governed by a number of special provisions, as laid down in the Nationalbank Act. The OeNB's capital totals EUR 12 million, half of which is held by the federal government and half of which is owned by employer and employee organizations as well as banks and insurance corporations.

The main tasks of the OeNB center on contributing to a stability-oriented monetary policy within the Eurozone, safeguarding financial stability in Austria and supplying the general public and the business community in Austria with high-quality, i.e. counterfeit-proof, cash. In addition, the OeNB manages reserve assets, i.e. gold and foreign exchange holdings, with a view to backing the euro in times of crisis, draws up economic analyses, compiles statistical data, is active in international organizations and is responsible for payment systems oversight. Furthermore, the OeNB operates a payment system for the euro, promotes knowledge and understanding among the general public and decision makers owing to its comprehensive communication policy, and supports research in Austria.

List of Austrian companies