The Company

THE HEART OF OFFICE SUPPLIES: PBS HOLDING AG

Business Model & Strategy

SUSTAINABLE COMPETITIVENESS MEETS CONTINUITY AND PROGRESS

We inspire all with product diversity – and first-class service across all channels. This makes PBS Holding a strong partner at your side in the office world.

From idyllic Wels in Upper Austria, we supply office environments throughout Europe as a premium supplier. Our vision? In a world where no one wants to invest excessive amounts of time in buying paper, office supplies and stationery, be inspired with product variety and first-class service across all channels.

Our mission? To offer our customers the right products at all times, and make them accessible through every conceivable channel.

Our strategy? To be as local as possible, and as central as necessary. This is how we achieve maximum customer proximity and competitiveness. With over 1,400 employees across eight countries, we serve more than 200,000 customers, generate an annual turnover of around EUR 420 million and offer a wide range of IT solutions.

We supply wholesalers, retailers and commercial end customers. In addition to this, we also operate retail shops, making us one of the leading providers in Central Europe in both areas. With our national logistics solutions, we ensure the highest level of service and efficient resource management while minimising the number of transport routes in use.

It is our core principles that set us apart: from dedicated local support to adopting a pioneering role that will shape tomorrow’s world, we are your first-class partner in office supplies.

Transcending borders: our scope of action

Germany
Italy
Austria
Poland
Slovakia
Slovenia
Czech Republic
Hungary

Our organisational structure

Our structure and corporate philosophy reflect our unique approach to both entrepreneurship and accountability. Our Executive Management team, as well as all managing directors and business partners, are involved in all questions of strategy and in our overarching projects. This generates a unique dynamic – and ensures a high level of commitment at all times.

History and innovation

From the print shop
to a leading
group of companies

From its humble beginnings as a printing company in 1788 to the leading Group of companies in the paper, office supplies and stationery sector: together, we continue to write amazing success stories.

Customer needs are at the heart of our innovative spirit. We listen, we implement customer wishes and develop new processes and solutions. In doing so, we are constantly expanding our range and adapting to changing needs.

However, innovation also comes from external sources, such as M&A activities and cooperation with external service providers and educational institutions.

We promote a culture of continuous improvement and work together to find solutions that inspire our customers. Innovation arises at different levels and in different contexts: every country, every business model, every brand, every division, every department and every employee – not only do they all contribute new ideas, but also implement these within the company.

2023
2022
2021
2020
2019
2018
2017
2016
2015
2014
2013
2012
2011
2010
2009
2008
2007
2006
2005
2004
2002
2000
2023
2022
2021
2020
2019
2018
2017
2016
2015
2014
2013
2012
2011
2010
2009
2008
2007
2006
2005
2004
2002
2000

Start of construction work for the logistics centre in Wels-Oberthan, expansion of the logistics centre in Ahlten

Foundation of the global sales unit PBS Global Solutions GmbH

PBS Holding set the course for a global expansion with PBS Connect International and the acquisition of Hofmann&Zeiher. New webshops would bring a breath of fresh air: PBS Connect International for international customers and a relaunch of the Büro Handel Austria webshop.

Logistics at peak performance! Lamitec moved and expanded to ensure efficiency and performance. Our IT competence was strengthened and the webshop Büroprofi Austria received an upgrade for a greater, all-round shopping experience.

We continued to grow! Expansion in the Czech Republic and Slovakia would strengthen our position and proximity to customers. Acquisition of renowned Office Depot companies makes us the leading B2B supplier. Structural optimisation in Germany would unite PBS Germany North and West under PBS Deutschland Großhandels GmbH for even more efficient service.

20 years of Q-Connect: we proudly celebrated two decades of our own brand! At the same time, we continued to expand and would from now on also be present in Italy. With the foundation of Desktoo Italia in Milan, the PBS Holding Group expanded its presence to a total of eight countries.

Growth and synergies: as part of our expansion strategy, Büro Handel GmbH successfully took over the mail order business Strein in Villach/Carinthia. In addition, we merged the companies Büroprofi and Skribo to form Büroprofi Skribo GmbH.

A strong tradition would go on to embrace a new form of life: we were delighted to announce the acquisition of the Europe-wide trademark rights of the renowned “Donau” brand from the Biella Group. With this acquisition, we would go on to enable a brand relaunch and a uniform packaging design to bring the traditional brand back to life.

We were pleased to announce the successful merger of BP Kanex with Lamitec in Slovakia. In addition to this, with the introduction of CIPS3, our advanced merchandise management system, and over 1,400 CIPS3 systems in Austria and Germany, this would now enable our customers to conduct business efficiently and smoothly. And: Alka went on to become PBS Germany.

Another big step towards the future: we were delighted by the majority shareholding in Lamitec in Slovakia. In doing so, this would bring a breath of fresh air into our Group of companies and offer our partners and customers another strong pillar under the umbrella of PBS Holding AG.

Success on all levels: PBS Germany slid under the umbrella of Geord Kugelmann GmbH. PBS Connect Polska expanded its wholesale division, and Biella Polska’s wholesale business and the “Donau” brand would also move into the hands of PBS Connect Polska.

A year full of milestones: Otto Office in the Czech Republic and Slovakia would become part of PBS. PBS Bohemia entered the Czech market with its wholesale division. Warsaw welcomed the newly-founded PBS Connect Polska. In parallel, the German logistics locations in Ahlten and Jüterbog were now on a growth course, while the Unterhaching warehouse was relocating. And in Austria, a new data centre was inaugurated to house the IT applications in several countries.

Dynamism and growth were now on the agenda: takeover of the distribution structures of Piramida d.o.o., incorporation of Biroprodaja d.o.o. in Slovenia, and inclusion of the company Kanex in Slovakia. South Tyrol also celebrated a great success with its first Italian office professional partner.

The winds of change: Dekor Center changed hands and made way for the newly founded Ignisol Handels GmbH. At Büro Handel GmbH, the addition of advertising materials to the product range was a breath of fresh air.

Unity and expansion characterised the year: the German sales companies united under the umbrella of PBS Deutschland GmbH, including the regions South, North and West. PBS Germany welcomed Maeder & Deipenau GmbH to its sales portfolio. ALKA customers would now benefit from a significantly expanded product range. And in Slovenia, the inclusion of the distribution operation Biromaterial d.o.o. in Piramida Zagorje would go on to strengthen the business.

A big welcome to Schreyer GmbH, which became part of PBS Germany. At the same time, an expansion of ALKA logistics in Germany ensured greater performance and efficiency.

A networked future: the service partner network “Büroprofi” celebrated its incorporation in Germany, which promised to deliver new synergies and collaborative efforts.

Golden times: Büroprofi launches the “Golden Partner Programme”, a brilliant innovation for committed partners.

Further growth: PBS Holding GmbH become PBS Holding AG and welcomed RNK Service GmbH in Berlin to the family. SKRIBO Germany also expanded its network with franchise partners. And in Slovenia, the new Biromaterial d.o.o. was established. A year full of developments!

With the foundation of PBS Germany and the takeover of the renowned wholesale supplier ALKA in Lehrte/Hanover, we went on to set new standards. We also welcomed the companies Kanzenel & Beisenherz and Hermann & Meyding. SKRIBO GmbH expanded its portfolio through the acquisition of C. Becker in Linz and the integration of Joh. Haas KEG. And, last but not least, we took off to new heights with the incorporation of Büroprofi Slovakia s.r.o. in Bratislava. An exciting year of progress!

It was with tremendous enthusiasm that we introduced the innovative merchandise management system CIPS 2, a new step towards efficiency and user-friendliness. At the same time, we expanded the range of services offered by Büro Handel GmbH, which also included customised logistics solutions for customer-specific products – such as advertising materials and printed matter.

A new milestone was reached: the incorporation of PBS Holding GmbH. It marked an important step in our development and radiated both confidence and strength. At the same time, we launched the Büro Handel and Büroprofi webshop – an excellent opportunity to offer our customers an even more exciting shopping experience. At the same time, we installed the innovative “Trader” merchandise management system to make our processes even more efficient. It was an exciting moment of change and growth.

Management

First Class Partner for your office

Executive Board

Leadership with class: our Executive Board

Mag. Andreas Schachtner

Deputy Chairman of the Board

Born: 1965

Company tenure since 1991

Shareholder

Responsibilities:

  • IT
  • Logistics

Dr. Richard Scharmann, MBA

Chairman of the Board

Born: 1967

Company tenure since 1994

Responsibilities:

  • Wholesale
  • B2B
  • B2C
  • Strategy

Mag. Christian Müller

Chief Financial Officer

Born: 1972

Company tenure since 2004

Responsibilities:

  • Chief Financial Officer
  • Legal
  • HR

Supervisory Board

With a view to excellence: our Supervisory Board

KR Ing. Anton Stahrlinger

Chairman of the Supervisory Board

Univ. Prof. Dr. Rudolf Wimmer

Deputy Chairman of the Supervisory Board

Mag. Renald Knogler

Member of the Supervisory Board

DDr. Alexander Hasch

Member of the Supervisory Board

The Group’s leadership by the Executive Board and Executive Management team must be described as exemplary. For this, I would like to express my great thanks as Chairman of the Supervisory Board. The entire Supervisory Board would also like to thank all employees. This is because without them, without every individual in their place, such successful development would not have been possible in such challenging times.

KR Ing. Anton Stahrlinger

Chairman of the Supervisory Board

Executive Management

Working together: our Executive Management

PBS Holding AG:

Mag. Anja Hochmeier, Customer Solutions

Herbert Althuber, MA, LL.M., Law and Human Resources

Proc. Peter Oberndorfer, International Purchasing B2C, B2B

Mag. Michael Schuch, Supply Chain Management

Cornelia Pichler, Accounting

PBS Logitek GmbH

Martin Schiefer, Wolfgang Fürtbauer, Executive Management

PBS Austria GmbH:

Mag. Elke Schweitzer, Executive Management

Büro Handel GmbH:

Alois Heigenhauser, Executive Management

Büroprofi SKRIBO GmbH

Mario Leimhofer, Executive Management

PBS Connect International GmbH

Thomas Winkelhagen, Executive Management

PBS Deutschland Großhandel GmbH

Martin Kunow, Executive Management

Desktoo Italia S.r.l.

Fabrizio Pistoni, Executive Management

Hofmann + Zeiher GmbH

Matthias Zeiher, Martin Kunow, Executive Management

Biroprodaja d.o.o.

Borut Premzel, Executive Management

Lamitec, spol. s.r.o.

Martin Molčan, Executive Management

PBS Connect Polska Sp. z o.o., Polen:

Miroslaw Szydlowski, Executive Management

OFFICEO s.r.o.

Milan Baran, Executive Management

PBS Deutschland GmbH & Co KG

Martin Kunow, Executive Management

PBS Hungária kft.

Balazs Ivan, Executive Management

PBS Global Solutions GmbH

Ian Kirton, Executive Management

Our commitment to integrity, transparency and fairness: in our Group of companies, acting responsibly is more than just a concept – it represents a central pillar of our culture.

This is also deeply anchored in our Code of Conduct, which we adopted in 2016:

  • Our ethical and integrity behaviour is non-negotiable. It forms the foundation of our work and our interactions with each other.
  • We value each and every one of our employees and promote an atmosphere of respect, trust and non-discrimination. Everyone has their place here and can feel both safe and valued.
  • Health and safety at work are enormously important to us. We take responsibility for ensuring that each and every day is a safe working day.
  • Our business relationships are rooted in mutual trust, and the integrity of our employees is indispensable to us. These people are at the heart of our company.
  • Fair play is not only important on the sports field, but also in competition. We play by the rules and respect our competitors.
  • Open communication is a major concern for us. That’s why our door is always open – all the way up to Executive Board level.
  • We establish clear boundaries between the interests of the company and our private interests, in order to avoid any conflict of interest.
  • And finally, we do not tolerate bribery and corruption of any kind. Integrity and transparency characterise our business conduct. What counts for us is performance and nothing else.

More information on the topic?

Key figures

Numbers that speak for themselves

The PBS Group at a glance:

Austria

EUR 92,6

million turnover (2023)

263

employees

68,4 %

Web quota

Germany

EUR 114,6

million turnover (2023)

299

employees

80,4%

Web quota

Italy

EUR 24,7

million turnover (2023)

30

employees

100%

Web quota

Poland

EUR 61,5

million turnover (2023)

104

employees

85,8%

Web quota

Czech Republic

EUR 74,5

million turnover (2023)

332

employees

80,0%

Web quota

Slovakia

EUR 26,5

million turnover (2023)

151

employees

82,1 %

Web quota

Slovenia

EUR 8,7

million turnover (2023)

59

employees

35,5 %

Web quota

Hungary

EUR 29,7

million turnover (2023)

204

employees

51,8 %

Web quota
Icons/swipe ziehen

We let numbers speak for our success: with an impressive turnover of EUR 433 million, we we once again achieved an all-time high in our company’s history.

This underlines the strong position and our success in our markets. In a challenging global economy, we have demonstrated our ability to effectively manage price volatility, secure supply chains and optimise cost structures. The result was once again a record result, reinforced by a 6.7% return on sales (EBT margin). For customers and stakeholders, this illustrates our strong and stable position in the market, along with our willingness to provide excellent services even in difficult times.

In tandem with challenging market conditions, PBS Holding performed extensive investment projects in several countries in line with our long-term development plan: Among other things, construction has begun on a new warehouse site in Austria, which will be completed in the second half of 2024 and will provide us with an additional capacity of 19,000 pallet spaces. In Germany, the expansion of the pallet warehouse at the Ahlten site in the Hanover region with an additional 4,000 standing spaces went into operation in November 2023.

Whistleblower

Fair Play:
Honesty,
Integrity &
Transparency

For us, honesty, integrity and transparency are of paramount importance: if you witness a breach of the rules or even criminal offences, we urge you to help us identify and stop them.

You can submit your whistleblowing report anonymously or by giving your name – your confidentiality is guaranteed. After submitting your whistleblowing report, we will provide you with a protected mailbox to maintain the dialogue.

Important: please do not abuse this system to submit false or defamatory reports. Reports must be submitted in all seriousness and serve solely to stop unlawful action.

Our reporting platform serves primarily, but not exclusively, the following purpose:

  • Detect and punish crimes such as corruption, fraud, money laundering, theft and embezzlement,
  • Ascertain other violations of the law, such as anti-trust violations, violations of competition law and intellectual property rights (e.g. copyrights, trademarks, patents),
  • Report any form of crime and
  • Counteract major policy violations.

Together, we protect our company – and preserve “fair play” in competition!

Do you have an important tip you need to submit?