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The focus was on the plant’s successful development, the site’s importance to the region, and expressing gratitude to those who made this success story possible: first and foremost, the employees. “The Gaishorn am See site has been in existence for 35 years, 25 of which as part of the Mayr-Melnhof Holz family,” said Managing Director Bernhard Waldner as he welcomed the numerous guests. Plant Manager Markus Thier, who co-hosted the ceremony with Waldner, emphasised the importance of the workforce: “They are the heart and soul of this company. It’s a fantastic team.”

From a pioneering spirit to an international timber construction specialist
The site’s roots date back to 1991. At that time, entrepreneurs Aigner and Dominici founded Leichtbau-Baustoff-Handels-GmbH, which was later renamed Systemholz AG. As early as 1992, the first glued laminated timber plant began operations with twelve production staff and four office staff. In the years that followed, the site continued to develop dynamically. New production lines, two additional glulam plants and substantial investment turned Gaishorn into a major centre for timber processing. In 2001, Mayr-Melnhof Holz acquired a majority stake in the glulam plant. “This decision marked the start of strategic diversification along the timber value chain. That was a very, very important step for us in the company’s history,” emphasised owner Franz Mayr-Melnhof-Saurau.

Products from Gaishorn for the whole of Europe
In the years that followed, the site developed into an internationally recognised producer ofnglued laminated timber. Another milestone followed when Mayr-Melnhof Holz acquired 100 per cent of the plant in 2007 and officially opened the cross-laminated timber plant in 2008. “Cross-laminated timber is the future of house building – not just for detached houses, but the future in general,” said Mayr-Melnhof-Saurau. “The future belongs to timber.”

Solidarity as a key to success
“We have always stuck together,” recalled Mayr-Melnhof-Saurau, referring to the difficult times of the economic crisis from 2008 onwards, which plunged the entire group into an existential crisis. The solidarity of the workforce played a key role in overcoming this major crisis and laying the foundations for the site’s successful further development.
Today, the plant works closely with the group’s other sites and is regarded as a key source of expertise within the group. The know-how developed in Gaishorn played a decisive role in the construction of the new cross-laminated timber plant at the Leoben site.

A strong employer and key partner for the region
The company’s regional significance was also highlighted during the ceremony. Mayor Werner Haberl described the site as an “indispensable partner for the community”. He paid particular tribute to the role of Mayr-Melnhof Holz Gaishorn as the region’s largest employer and a supporter of community life: “A great many people now come to work here, not
just locals, but from near and far,” he said. “This is of inestimable value to our community. Work means families, a future, security and also quality of life.” His conclusion was correspondingly clear: “This plant is the jewel in Gaishorn’s crown.”

The timber industry as a sector of the future
Styrian Provincial Councillor Simone Schmiedtbauer also emphasised in her speech the importance of the site for Styria as a timber-producing region. “If Styria is a pioneer in any field, it is in the raw material of wood,” she said. At the same time, she highlighted the role of those companies that create high-quality jobs and secure them for the long term. “This raw material secures 55,000 jobs in Styria. That’s 55,000 livelihoods, and 55,000 good reasons why we, as politicians, must do everything in our power to support companies like this one, to help them cut through red tape so that they can breathe and carry on.”

She paid particular tribute to the entrepreneurial spirit of the family who own the business and the commitment of the workforce: “Thank you for the fact that entrepreneurs like this still exist. That is by no means a given any more.”

Thanks to the staff
The most important words of thanks on the anniversary went to the staff. For owner Franz Mayr-Melnhof-Saurau, they are the foundation of the company’s success: “The future rests on your shoulders, in your hands,” he said in his speech. “It is truly very important to me to say ‘thank you’ to you all here. For so much team spirit, for so much
dedication.”

The anniversary celebrations featured an extensive programme of events, including guided tours, childcare provided by our partner the Graz University of Technology and the MINKT Laboratory in Trieben, and musical entertainment from the Goaszechn Musi, the Gaishorner Tanzlmusi and the Gaishorn/Treglwang Market Band, the team at MM Holz Gaishorn celebrated its successful past with its guests whilst looking optimistically to the future.

“We know we can do it. We know that, if we stand shoulder to shoulder, we can weather even challenging times. Because the future belongs to us. The future belongs to wood. We are proud of what we have achieved and look forward to the coming decades with confidence. Together, we will continue the success story of MM Holz Gaishorn,” said Franz Mayr-Melnhof-Saurau.

Good luck! Here’s to the next 35 years!

Photos: MM Holz with Artur Cisar-Erlach