FISCH®-Tools wins the Woche Regionality Prize

Johann Eberhard GmbH – i.e. FISCH®-Tools – was put forward as a finalist in the race for the Regionality Prize 2018 by the Woche readers in the online voting, where it also won over the jury of experts. The hidden champion from St. Josef in Western Styria came out on top in the Regionality Prize 2018.

27. November 2018 in News

“We are overjoyed to receive this prize and are proud of this great award, which for us represents recognition and appreciation in one”, commented the two managing directors Christoph Riegler and Andreas Eberhard. “We would like to thank the jury and all those who voted for us online – in particular our staff, their families and friends, our customers and business partners.” The good news reached the ears of the two directors while in the USA; more precisely, in Phoenix, Arizona. Just a few minutes before the notification of the victory came through from home, the two were able to win a new client: for the next four seasons, FISCH-Tools will be the new official ice auger supplier of the CSA – Canadian Snowsports Association! We were recently able to successfully conclude a 5-year contract with the Swiss Ski Association. The US Ski & Snowboard association, the ÖSV (Austrian Ski Association) and the Polish Ski Association also put their trust in the ultralight ice auger for installing and implementing the gate poles in alpine skiing as well as for mounting safety nets.

FISCH-Tools is Europe’s largest premium producer of forged drilling and milling tools for woodworking. Each year, 2.5 million high-quality tools are manufactured in the high-tech factory in St. Josef. Under the brand name FISCH®, the products, which are found in almost every DIY store, are exported to 46 countries. Christoph Riegler and Andreas Eberhard are leading the West Styrian drill factory on a sustainable course to success. The combination of traditional values, know-how and innovation are success factors that speak for themselves in the continuous improvement when it comes to market shares, numerous patents and product innovations such as the ALU SPEED ice auger. An innovation that was distinguished with the Fast Forward Award, is conquering the ski pistes in Europe and America and has opened up completely new markets.

Despite its international orientation, FISCH-Tools is firmly anchored in its local region. The company, which has over 70 years of history, was started in 1946. Founded by Johann Eberhard, today the family company is run by the third generation and, together with the sales office in France, employees 98 members of staff. Around 90 percent of the employees at the headquarters in St. Josef come from the region. Many began their career with an apprenticeship and stayed on as skilled specialists in the company. This loyalty to the company is evident from the stories of those who have been with the company for 20, 25 and even 35 years. “Thanks to the years of experience and the knowledge of our employees, we are able to operate successfully in international markets”, the managing directors agree. The promotion of young talent is a fixed component of the corporate culture. This applies to both the professional environment as well as to sports. The company frequently supports young people in the Stars of Styria and EuroSkills competitions. And alongside the local sports clubs, FISCH-Tools is also a proud principal sponsor of the young, up-and-coming ALPINE SKI talent Jana Nachbagauer.