Entrepreneur Of The Year

Christoph Kulterer awarded

The EY Entrepreneur Of The YearTM is one of the world’s most prestigious awards for exceptional entrepreneurship. The programme runs across 60 countries and honours outstanding entrepreneurs all around the globe. The renowned award was presented by the expert panel of judges for the 16th time on 15th October 2021 in the Hofburg Imperial Palace in Vienna. Christoph Kulterer, CEO and owner of the HASSLACHER Group, was named Entrepreneur Of The Year 2021 in the Sustainability & Greentech | Production & Services category.

Inspirational success, vision and leadership
More than ever in these times of crisis, what we need is a quality that entrepreneurs above all possess: the ability and the will to persist. Entrepreneurs are shining examples of persistence – whether after a difficult phase, to stay true to their convictions or in order to make social and environmental progress. The Entrepreneur Of The Year showcases and is a unique way of promoting the entrepreneurial activity of individuals with outstanding potential and who inspire others to have vision, exercise leadership and enjoy success.

Theme of persistence
“That’s why this year, we’ve organised this year’s EY Entrepreneur Of The Year around the theme of persistence and we're foregrounding the inspiring stories of Austrian entrepreneurs,” says Erich Lehner, who is responsible for the EY Entrepreneur Of The Year in Austria. Awards were presented in the four categories of Sustainability & Greentech, Innovations & High-tech, Start-ups and Social Entrepreneur. The criteria considered by the panel of independent judges included growth, future potential, innovation, employee leadership and social responsibility.

Sustainability & Greentech award
“I’m delighted to have received this very special award. Our company has been through incredible changes. Our greatest success has been transforming it from a sawmill into one of the world’s leading producers of glued timber construction products. The tremendous growth that this entailed was only possible because of our loyal and dedicated team, and I’m especially proud of them,” said Christoph Kulterer.

“Wood is a renewable resource and has so many different applications. Wood actively stores CO2, so the sustainable commercial exploitation of our forests makes a significant contribution to combating the climate crisis. We are persisting, so that we can push forward the environmental revolution in construction even further. Innovation, curiosity and the love of nature – these are our driving forces. As a global family-owned company, we are focused on success that can be sustained for generations.”

About the HASSLACHER Group
The HASSLACHER Group is an innovative, international, family-run timber company, a world leader in glued laminated timber that has been a byword for pioneering spirit, performance, quality, staying power and social responsibility for 120 years. It and its 1,800 employees at eight locations in Austria, Germany, Slovenia and Russia produce innovative sawn timber, surfaced timber, glued laminated timber, cross laminated timber and structural finger jointed solid timber for cutting-edge timber constructions. All in keeping with the motto “From wood to wonders.”
Further information: hasslacher.com

About Ernst & Young

Ernst & Young (EY) is one of Austria’s leading auditing and consultancy organisations. The company has over 1,000 employees across four locations and generated turnover of around 157 million Euros in the 2020/2021 financial year. The EY organisation's workforce of almost 300,000 employees serves customers all around the world. EY provides an extensive portfolio of services both to large and to medium sized companies.

Further information: ey.com/at

Image: © Point of View
Christoph Kulterer, CEO and owner of the HASSLACHER Group, was named Entrepreneur Of The Year 2021 on 15th October 2021. Image (from left to right) Erich Lehner, Program Partner EY Entrepreneur Of The Year Austria, Christoph Kulterer of HASSLACHER NORICA TIMBER, EY Entrepreneur Of The Year 2021 in the Sustainability & Greentech l Production & Services category, Andreas Lampl, Editor-in-Chief of Trend.