A traditional Upper Austrian company initiates a generational change: At the Kranz family business from Schwanenstadt, specialist for casement windows, managing director August Kranz successively hands over the helm to his daughters Hannelore, Christine and Barbara. The trio has been with the company for a long time and is now the fourth generation to run it.
“My father is 61 and slowly but surely wants to take a step aside. That’s why this decision was made,” says Hannelore Kranz, who is responsible for the commercial area in the company. Barbara is responsible for technology, Christine for marketing and advertising.
August Kranz laid the foundation stone for the company?? grandfather of the same name in 1921 with a “mechanical construction and furniture carpentry”. Kranz made a name for itself in the 1980s with casement windows for historic buildings. In 1991 the company stopped making furniture and specialized in window production. The Landestheater in Salzburg, the Liechtenstein City Palace in Vienna, the Welser Landesgericht and the Apothekerhaus in Linz’s old town were outfitted from Schwanenstadt. Customers are the public sector as well as property developers and private investors.
Classics in the 20th century
Casement windows are among the oldest types of construction and, with single glazing, several bars and four wings that can be opened outwards, were the classic in new buildings in the 20th century. Today, casement windows are mostly used for renovations and window replacements, says Hannelore Kranz. The family business uses larch, oak and pine wood for the window frames. Around twelve to 14 casement windows are manufactured at the site every day.
Although nothing has changed in the construction principle of these windows in recent decades, the technology corresponds to the latest standards because sound is better insulated than standard triple-glazed windows.
According to Kranz, the previous corona pandemic has “stablely maneuvered”. Because the business is in a niche anyway, it is said that fluctuations or slumps in orders have been spared. Most recently, sales were around four million euros. 35 employees work in the company.
Refurbish instead of replacing
Kranz is hoping for growth potential in the “Renovation” business area. This should help to counteract the increasing sealing of new building surfaces. Hannelore Kranz expects the need for refurbishment to increase both in private construction and in the property sector. “Repairing casement windows instead of replacing them is economical and sustainable,” she says. After the start of this service in Upper Austria and Salzburg, other federal states will soon follow.
Source: Nachrichten
