PORR CEO Karl-Heinz Strauss: “By acquiring a majority stake in rhtb:, PORR is strengthening its portfolio with key interior fitout skills. As particularly valuable, we regard the company’s expertise in the construction of heating and cooling systems for new builds and refurbishments, as well as its capabilities in the area of raised floors. Additionally, refab construction has become an indispensable component of modern building. It enables us to deliver high-quality results while significantly reducing construction times. The services provided by rhtb: are a clear asset to our portfolio”.

The components made by rhtb: will be used in a variety of areas including residential solutions offered under the PORR Living brand, which is set for further expansion. PORR builds affordable housing at construction costs of less than EUR 2,000 per square metre, based on prefabricated construction methods. The first PORR Living pilot project is already underway: A residential development comprising 50 apartments in Lower Austria. Karl-Heinz Strauss: “The strong interest from clients, as well as the scalability of our concept to other areas such as industrial construction, clearly shows that there is still a lot of potential here”.

Long-standing partnership

The references of rhtb: include significant interior-construction projects in places such as the Austria Center in Vienna and the Vienna University of Economics and Business. PORR and rhtb: also happen to enjoy a longstanding and successful partnership already: It was rhtb: who handled the interior refurbishment of the PORR headquarters in Vienna as well as fitout works at several other locations. Strauss: “From the word go, rhtb: has impressed us with the quality of its work”.

rhtb: was founded 27 years ago by entrepreneur Rainer Haubenwaller, who will remain on board as a co-owner and shareholder. The company’s 100-strong workforce will also be retained.  

Haubenwaller adds: “It has always been important to me to offer rhtb:’s employees a secure and attractive workplace. With PORR on board, we can continue to plan for the long term and build together on what we have achieved. This will develop rhtb: into Austria’s leading interior fit-out company.’”