Timeline

Company timeline


2023

Biohort establishes subsidiary in Switzerland

Biohort Schweiz AG is founded as a wholly owned subsidiary of Biohort GmbH. From 1 January 2024, Biohort will serve the Swiss market independently in order to further develop the brand, brand awareness and brand positioning in a future-oriented manner.

2022

Biohort proudly presents its latest products

The company is introducing two brand new products, just in time for the start of the 2022 gardening season: namely the flexible DaVinci® Planter Box System and the Biohort Privacy Screen. In addition, the popular Neo Garden Shed is now available in an additional 12 sizes due to high demand. With the BikeLift®, Biohort is offering a stylish bicycle wall mount that can accommodate a wide variety of bicycles, from racing bikes to e-mountain bikes, by pulling them vertically up against the wall.

Construction of the new Biohort plant in St. Martin is now in full swing

Following completion of the third site, we are securing Biohort's ongoing success with state-of-the-art industrial facilities covering an overall area of 101,000 m².

Biohort is Austria's leading family-run business

Biohort was named as Austria's, and therefore Upper Austria's, leading family business by an independent panel of experts. We are delighted to receive this award, which confirms our company philosophy.

2021

Product innovations for 2021

Our Neo Garden Shed combines the best from decades of experience. Smooth wall surfaces, a specially developed panel system, and wooden ceiling to regulate humidity along with optional interior panelling make the Neo a unique product. The Alex® dustbin box is also launched. The product range expands to include the SmartBase foundation solution and the LeisureTime Box size 200.

Biohort plant in St. Martin

Construction work on the third production and logistics site is proceeding according to plan. State-of-the-art machinery and a fully automated high-bay warehouse with 24,000 pallet spaces are under construction. The production and storage area will cover 40,000 m². Two hundred additional jobs are created in our new plant despite the high level of automation.

Growth despite corona

We have coped extremely well during the very challenging months of the corona pandemic. A 40% increase in turnover in 2020 was followed by an expected 50% increase this year. We are extremely grateful, first and foremost, to our employees who did a great job despite having to cope with face masks, social distancing and health concerns. Free coronavirus testing facilities and company-organised vaccinations ensure a corona-safe workplace at Biohort.

The Biohort workforce currently stands at 450 (as of June 2021).

2020

Work begins on new Biohort plant in St. Martin

The company is building another plant due to a surge in orders and continuous growth. The 10-hectare site in St. Martin, on the municipal boundary between Niederwaldkirchen and St. Martin, is the ideal location for the additional Biohort facility. Construction work will begin in September.

Product innovations for 2020

The new Romeo® Patio Locker is a real treat for all balcony and patio fans with a customisable range of shelves. Also NEW: The Biohort Charly® Robotic Lawn Mower Garage provides ideal protection for your lawnmower. Choose from a wider selection of accessories, such as side walls for the HighLine® side canopy, LED lights, electrical mounting panel for the MiniGarage and HighBoard.

New members of the Executive Board

Managing Directors Dr. Josef Priglinger and son Maximilian Priglinger expand the Biohort GmbH management team in Neufelden. They will now be supported in their roles by Gerhard Wolkerstorfer and Thomas Lanzerstorfer.

Biohort experiences strong growth

Despite the coronavirus pandemic, Biohort witnesses above-average growth in 2020 and clearly exceeded €100 million in sales.

"Quality at its best" is a key priority for customers right across Europe, and Biohort's reputation is spread by word of mouth.

Plant 2 in Herzogsdorf will double in size by the autumn of 2020. The new production and storage facilities are urgently required. Painted thin sheet metal is processed into high-quality Biohort products on a premises covering 24,000 m² using state-of-the-art technology.

The Biohort workforce also increases to 385.

2019

Forging new paths with the Biohort innovations for 2019

Following the successful market launch of the Biohort Raised Vegetable Bed in 2018, Biohort is already extending its 2019 product range with two additional garden products: the stylish Belvedere® Planting Bed and the convenient MonAmi® Composter. The range of accessories is expanded to include a side canopy for the HighLine® Garden Shed and the decorative FloraBoard for the AvantGarde®, Highline® and Panorama® Garden Sheds.

New headquarters in St. Martin

Biohort has witnessed continuous growth (up to 26%) over the last 10 years and the trend is continuing. However, since significant mid to long-term expansion of the production and office facilities is not feasible at Biohort's Neufelden site, a brand new Biohort plant is under construction at a cost of around 60 million euros. A state-of-the-art production facility incorporating a high-bay warehouse is built on the company's three-hectare construction site. Preparations for this construction project started in the spring of 2019.

Work begins on Herzogsdorf plant expansion

The 12,000 m² production plant that went into operation in the year before is set to double in size again. Construction work began in autumn 2019.

2018

New products ensure continued success

Biohort continues to impress in 2018 with the launch of innovative new products: the new Raised Vegetable Bed is striking with its long durability and elegant design. The Panorama® Garden Shed combines a classic gable roof with modern details while the CornerBoard creates clever storage space on balconies and patios.

Start-up of Biohort Plant 2 in the neighbouring district of Herzogsdorf

After starting building works in July 2017, Biohort proudly opens Austria's most state-of-the-art sheet processing plant in just under one year. In addition to the Neufelden site, the new facility provides the necessary resources to ensure the continued growth of Biohort's quality products on a site covering 12,000 m². This has also created 50 new jobs in the region but this is only the beginning: expansion of the site is already in the pipeline.

The successful commissioning of the site is duly celebrated at a gala with famous faces on the guest list including the provincial governor of Upper Austria, Thomas Stelzer, alongside friends, neighbours and colleagues. 

The next generation enters the board room

In the spring, Maximilian Priglinger is appointed to the executive board alongside his father Dr. Josef Priglinger. Father and son will jointly manage the company from now on.

Biohort Restaurant - Proud recipient of the "Healthy Kitchen" certificate

The Biohort company restaurant is awarded the "Healthy Cuisine" certificate by the Province of Upper Austria. Two freshly cooked dishes are on the menu every day - a bonus for our hard-working employees. 

2017

Biohort starts the new year with an innovative bonanza

  • WORLD FIRST: Ground screw foundation. State-of-the-art concrete-free foundation. For uneven surfaces with slopes of up to 10% • No concrete, no dirt, no waiting times • Optimum levelling, best protection against stormy weather
  • MiniGarage: Ideal for bicycles, garden tools and much more. With a height of just 145 cm, no planning approval is required.

Biohort constructs another production facility

Biohort needs more production and storage facilities to cope with its continuing growth. As further expansion of the Neufelden site is not feasible, the company has purchased a four-hectare plot of land in a neighbouring district. Starting in the summer of 2017, a 12,000 m² hall complex with state-of-the-art production facilities and a high-bay warehouse will be constructed during the initial expansion phase. The overall investment costs amount to around €20 million. Completion is scheduled for the end of 2018. The company headquarters will remain in Neufelden.

State recognition for Biohort

  • Nationally recognised training company
  • The Biohort shop won the 2017 Upper Austria Online Award in the "Established Online Shops" category.

2016

We are kicking off the garden season with numerous innovations:

with the new in-vogue colour, metallic quartz grey, new sizes for the Equipment Locker and HighBoard, revamping of the AvantGarde Garden Shed with stainless steel door handle and standard cylinder lock together with a brand new, innovative collection of accessories such as the suspension basket and hook set.

The end of July saw the relaunch of our website www.biohort.com. With many new features and an integrated online shop, we are setting future trends.

Biohort also achieved recognition in 2016: Standart-Corona Award, Mühlviertel Business Award and the TYPO3 Award.

2015

In recognition of his business achievements, CEO Josef Priglinger is honoured with the professional title of "Kommerzialrat" (Counsellor of Commerce) by the President of Austria, Dr. Heinz Fischer. The certificate was presented at a celebratory ceremony by Chairman of the Upper Austrian Chamber of Commerce, Dr. Rudolf Trauner.

The new Biohort online shop is launched. This makes it even easier to shop at Biohort!

The construction of a new cold storage facility with a 5,000 m² storage capacity started in the spring. The building was officially opened at the open day on 6 September 2015 in the presence of Dr. Josef Pühringer, provincial governor of Upper Austria. Over 2,000 visitors seized the opportunity to tour the plant.

2014

The HighLine® Garden Shed is now also available in white, boosting sales even higher. The popular LeisureTime Box is now available in the new 160HIGH format and provides the ideal storage solution for large sun lounger cushions!

The following new products are presented at the GAFA trade fair in Cologne:
The HighBoard and LoungeBox® solve the problem to the increasing demand for storage solutions for cushions, outdoor cooking equipment and accessories, garden accessories and much more.

Company wins the Rohrbach Business Award in the "Youth and Skilled Workers" category.

Biohort continues to go from strength to strength and is consolidating its position in other countries of Northern Europe.

2013

Biohort welcomes in the New Year by modernising its market presence and launching an impressive display of innovative products. The new HighLine® Garden Shed exceeds all expectations in terms of the number of sample displays.
The new assembly manuals providing virtually text-free, "Lego-like" instructions have proved revolutionary.
A grand opening gala was held on 26 April 2013 to commemorate Biohort's "Fifteen years in Neufelden" and the completion of the latest expansion project, with many famous faces in attendance.

Biohort is the proud recipient of the coveted "Pegasus in Gold" business award in the medium-sized company category.
Upper Austrian Chamber of Commerce presented to Dr. Josef Priglinger.
The company receives the INEO award in recognition of its exemplary training record from 2013 to 2016.
The "SME Niche World Champion" award is also presented to Biohort by the Austrian Chamber of Commerce.

2012

The construction of the new production facility is progressing at pace. This will enlarge the Neufelden site to 20,000 m².

Biohort presents its two new products at the GAFA trade fair in Cologne (2–4 September). Once again Biohort wows trade professionals with the HighLine® Garden Shed and the GarageBox!

The new machines and equipment are installed in the production building in December. The bright and airy facilities with underfloor heating provide Biohort employees with optimum conditions to deliver high-quality, productive work.

2011

In January, the company acquires the former premises of Vogt Elektronik Austria in neighbouring Niederwaldkirchen. In addition to 6,000 m² of hall and office space, an additional 15,000 m² of undeveloped land is available for future expansion. Our sister company Ascendor Lifttechnik will move there in September once the site has been revamped.
The "AvantGarde®" Garden Shed wins the coveted "Red Dot" Design Award and Biohort is awarded 4th place in the "Pegasus" Business Awards.
New products include the "Europa" Garden Shed in metallic silver and the "StoreMax" in metallic dark grey and metallic silver.
The new "CasaNova" Outbuilding is also boosting storage solution sales, thereby placing high demands on the production team. A nationwide network of sales representatives is created in Spain and Italy.
The company comes second in the 2011 "Trio of the Year" awards in the Craft category, presented by the Austrian business magazine "Trend".

The ground was broken for the 6,000 m² expansion of Biohort's production facilities in Neufelden in November 2011. The project will create even more space for Europe's market leader in high-quality metal storage solutions in response to increasing demand.

2010

A technically improved and more aesthetically pleasing version of the popular "LeisureTime Box" with smooth lid is launched on the market. The "Europa" Garden Shed, now available in the new, in-vogue colour of metallic dark grey, is boosting sales.
The first insulated "CasaNova" Outbuilding is presented to international trade professionals at the "GAFA" trade fair in Cologne in the autumn of 2010, earning admiring glances along the way. The screw-free exterior walls and surrounding skylight made from acrylic glass create a great look. The "CasaNova" consists of insulated sandwich panels with a 40-mm polystyrene core. It can withstand a snow load of 215 kg/m2 and can even incorporate a sectional overhead door.

Nomination for the "Goldenen Securitas 2010" award in the "Safe and Healthy Working" category.
The homepage is revamped and now features an online configurator, product advisor and a "Biohort in my garden" tool.

2009

Opening ceremony for the new building constructed next to the existing Biohort factory with the workforce split between the two facilities. A new production and storage facility including office space is now available for continued growth, covering a total area of 4,500 m2. Biohort is listed with all of the well-known builders' merchants and purchasing associations in Germany and Austria. The other export markets are also developing extremely well. The new in-vogue colour, metallic dark grey, plus the XXL "AvantGarde®" Garden Shed also ensure the business continues to go from strength to strength.

2008

Market launch of the "WoodStock" all-rounder enabling Biohort to meet numerous customer requests for a firewood storage facility. WoodStock can also be used as an equipment locker thanks to the practical range of available accessories. The Biohort workforce increases to over 50 with work on a state-of-the-art building beginning in July. Biohort delights trade professionals with its countless innovations at the "GAFA 2008" trade fair in Cologne.

2007

The "AvantGarde®" Garden Shed is now also available in green and in size XL. The company continues to consolidate its market position. Over 30 independent sales representatives now operate on behalf of Biohort, including in France, Netherlands and Denmark.
The sister company, Ascendor Lifttechnik, is founded. It produces high-quality, design-focused platform stair lifts (www.ascendor.at).

2006

The "AvantGarde®" model is now available in two sizes and will become Biohort's top seller by the end of the year. Our production and administrative workforce has also increased. The "Biohort" brand is increasingly gaining recognition as being synonymous with top quality and service.

2005

The new "AvantGarde®" Garden Shed is the first metal garden shed to satisfy the requirements of modern architecture. With its metallic silver exterior, the model is perfectly in line with current trends. Biohort's elegant design is presented to trade professionals for the first time at spoga 2005. 

2004

The "LEONARDO" fencing system is presented to enthusiastic trade professionals at the GAFA 2004 trade fair. "LEONARDO" is the first metal picket fence for straightforward self-assembly with the advantages of an aluminium fence. The company also proudly presented the StoreMax 120 – specifically designed to store two dustbins – and the Equipment Locker in dark green.

2003

The Rollup-Unibox 180 is replaced by the new StoreMax 190. In response to numerous customer requests and in line with current trends, the "Europa" Garden Shed is now also available in dark green with a grey-white interior. Biohort also introduces the new metallic silver "Equipment Locker" - the solution for small storage requirements - at the GAFA 2003 trade fair.
The company also acquired "Hall 4" covering a surface area of 1,350 m2 in a bid to meet future production requirements.

2002

The new "StoreMax 160" is also a resounding success on the export markets. A stylish storage solution for dustbins, known as the "CoverBox", was unveiled to the public at the "IHM 2002" in Munich. Additional sales markets are being opened up through participation in other international trade fairs taking place in Cologne, Birmingham, Paris and Munich. The "Biohort" brand is gaining recognition across Europe and is synonymous with the concept of "high-quality metal storage solutions" in specialist circles.

2001

The "Europa" Garden Sheds are now also available in the latest standard colour, quartz grey, in addition to dark brown. The new storage solution in the guise of the "StoreMax 160" is launched in Austria in the spring and generated a great deal of interest. The "StoreMax 160" certainly drew in the crowds at the "GAFA 2001" in Cologne.
The company purchases the previously rented production facility (4,000 m2) including open space as well as a large neighbouring plot of land earmarked for future expansion.

2000

The new Biohort "Rollup-Unibox 180" is launched, heralding the advent of the design-focused product development phase at Biohort. Sales have been initiated in France, Italy and Netherlands.

1999

Biohort is listed in the majority of builders' merchants and DIY stores in Austria. The company also features in 8 major lists in Germany.

1998

Move to the bigger site in 4120 Neufelden, Pürnstein 43.

1997

Biohort "LeisureTime Boxes" are launched in three sizes. In Germany, the company is listed with BayWa, Hagebau and Dehner for the first time. On 25 September 1997, Dr. Priglinger acquires 100% of the Biohort shares from Normstahl. The latter sold its door division to Swedish company CARDO A.S. at the same time.

1996

The production portfolio is reviewed and revamped. The new "EUROPA" Garden Shed is presented at the "GAFA '96" international trade fair in Cologne.

1995

Dr. Josef Priglinger is appointed Managing Director. In addition to specialist traders, sales have also been extended to builders' merchants and DIY stores (listed for the first time with bauMax). Start of the market offensive in Austria, Germany and Switzerland.

1994

Outsourcing of the garden tools division to BIOHORT Gartengeräte GmbH, which has also taken over sales.

1978

The production of metal garden sheds begins at the NORMSTAHL plant in Niederwaldkirchen. The products are sold via the NORMSTAHL Moosburg (BRD) garage door division. The product range is extended over the years to include metal composters and metal cold frames.