The Vivatis Group asserted itself in the challenging economic environment of 2024 and recorded a noticeable sales growth. The group remains on its continuous success and growth course.
Based on a clear strategic orientation and a diversified product portfolio as well as thanks to high resilience, the Vivatis Group also successfully continued their growth course in 2024. Despite economic challenges, the company proved to be resistant, could use market opportunities and further expand its position as one of the country’s largest food companies. Specifically, in 2024 sales of around EUR 1.35 billion was generated, which is an increase of 65 million euros and thus around 5.1% compared to the previous year’s sales 2023, which amounted to EUR 1.285 billion. The decisive factor for the positive development in 2024 was both the acquisition growth through a strategic purchase as well as organic growth, which was promoted by the strong performance of individual business areas.
„In view of the challenges in 2024, I am proud that we were able to successfully develop our business. This is the result of our clear strategic direction and the excellent performance of our subsidiaries. A major driver of this success is also our continuous investments: since 2020 we have over 350 million euros in our companies, growth, innovations as well as the continuous training and further education of the employees: In the inside- a clear commitment to our future viability and competitive strength. These investments enable us to further consolidate our market position, to open up new opportunities and to remain successful in the long term“, Explains Mag. Gerald Hackl, CEO Vivatis Holding AG.
Persistently challenging cost situation
The business activities of the Vivatis group in the 2024 financial year were-as in previous years-significantly influenced by increased or very volatile costs for raw materials, energy, logistics and personnel as well as continuing inflation. As early as 2023, the group had to bear additional loads of EUR 160-170 million. In 2024, expenditure also rose by around 50-60 million euros compared to the previous year, mainly due to the higher wage and salary costs. Currently, the increased increased energy prices, the exorbitant high transport cost index and the high -priced raw materials such as beef, poultry and butter are currently calling for the group.
Strong performance in many business areas
The past year was very satisfactory for GMS Gourmet GmbH, the market leader in community catering. The company has strong growth, especially in the field of business catering, and now supplies more than 3,000 companies with food, 400 of them were added last year. Depending on the size of the company, between 20 and several thousand meals are output daily. The success of gourmet results from two decisive factors: On the one hand, the company has established itself as a top quality provider in the industry, with a high-quality and continuously growing range of dishes that is very popular with customers. On the other hand, the company benefits from the closure of numerous restaurants, which has led to a new extension of the customer base. By buying SV Austria GmbH in the previous year, an additional 50 attractive locations were added. “”With a gourmet we are aiming for around 60-80 million euros in Germany in the next three years, in particular through cooperation, acquisitions and joint ventures ”, So Mag. Gerald Hackl, CEO Vivatis Holding AG.
The Gerstner Kuk Hofzuckerbäcker, who, in addition to the Vienna Palais Todesco, also in the State Opera, in the Musikverein, in the Art History Museum, in the Vienna trade fair and since 2024 also at two locations in Schönbrunn Castle, also shows a very good performance. Overall, the catering area of the Vivatis Group generates almost 70 million euros in sales.
Despite a noticeable consumption of consumption, Karnenta was able to develop satisfactorily. The company, based in Klagenfurt, supplies numerous well -known catering businesses and hotels across Austria with high -quality meat products. In the pasta division, the traditional company also increasingly relies on purely plant -based products.
The Maresi Group, which achieved great success, especially abroad, also showed a strong performance. Brands such as Sanshi, Knabbernossi, Inzersdorfer and Maresi are enjoying continuing popularity with the consumers: inside. Around half of the approximately 180 million euros in sales are generated abroad – especially in the Czech Republic, Hungary, Slovakia and Romania. The focus is on new markets such as Slovenia and Croatia for the future.
The convenience area continues to record significant growth. Brands such as Toni Kaiser, Bauernland, Wojnar’s, Inzersdorfer as well as Karnenta and Gourmet benefit from this development. In the service sector, Daily, the specialist for frozen logistics and Purea as a supplier for the pet food industry, also offer enormous potential for the future.
With a view to the coming years, the Vivatis Group will remain confident despite the challenging framework. “”Thanks to a clear focus on healthy, qualitative and sustainable growth, innovation and the strong performance of our subsidiaries, we are well positioned in order to further expand our market position and continue to act successfully in the future“, Mag. Gerald Hackl, CEO Vivatis Holding AG, emphasizes.
About vivatis
With around 4,100 employees and an annual turnover of around 1.35 euros (2024), the Vivatis Holding AG is one of the largest purely purely Austrian companies in the food and luxury food industry. Under the roof of the holding company, based in Linz, there are established branded goods producers as well as specialized production and service companies. Smalling names such as Gourmet, Gerstner, Senna, Karnenta, FW Trading, Maresi, Knabber Nossi, Inzersdorfer, Himmeltau, Siggi, Shan´Shi, Toni Kaiser, Bauernland, Ackerl, Wojnar’s, Daily and Purea are part of the group’s comprehensive brand. More information at: