It Remains Exciting
Interview with Alexander Fürnschuß, Managing Director of e.denzel GmbH
Climate change is one of the greatest challenges of our time – and requires a fundamental change in how we handle energy. More efficiency, sustainability, and alternative solutions are in demand. e.denzel GmbH from Graz has been dealing with energy for over 100 years. Today, it convinces customers with complete solutions for electrical and building technology, focusing on the idea of not wasting energy, but using it efficiently and sustainably.
Wirtschaftsforum: Mr. Fürnschuß, e.denzel has a history of over 100 years in electrical engineering. How did e.denzel become the company it is today?
Alexander Fürnschuß: e.denzel started in 1918 as a small electrical installation company in Graz and has grown steadily over time; from 20 to over 100 employees today. Additionally, we employ numerous subcontractors from the region and about 25 temporary workers continuously. Our location is ideally connected in terms of transport, allowing us to operate throughout Austria. The past years have not only been characterized by an expansion of the range of services but also by restructuring in the management. Behind this is always the idea of being able to serve customers optimally and make them happy.
Wirtschaftsforum: What does that mean exactly?
Alexander Fürnschuß: We have progressively increased the management team and in 2012 added an additional managing director and a chief representative to the management board. To meet increasing market demands, 2014 saw the establishment of the HKLS department specializing in heating, air conditioning, and sanitation, and in 2016 the acquisition of Intratec, which operates in the fields of automation technology and IT technology.
Thus, we were able to integrate all these areas into our offerings and establish ourselves as a full-service provider for energy and building technology. Today, solutions from a single source, covering the business fields of electrical engineering, heating, air conditioning, plumbing, and automation technology, are our trademark. In 2024, we undertook another realignment and introduced an additional level of divisional management. With this management structure, we were able to set the course for further growth.
Wirtschaftsforum: What does the management look like today?
Alexander Fürnschuß: There are three managing directors and one authorized signatory; two additional authorized signatories work at our subsidiary Intratec. What's unique is that all the managing directors have grown up within the company and learned the trade from the ground up. These personal construction site experiences are of great advantage when it comes to planning and implementing complex projects. To some extent, we have worked on-site at customers that we now manage; meaning, there is mutual knowledge and trust. I myself have been working at e.denzel since 2010, started as a technician, continued my professional education alongside work, have been in the management since 2020, and since 2024 a managing director and partner.
Wirtschaftsforum: What does e.denzel stand for in the market today after this continuous development?
Alexander Fürnschuß: We generate around 22 million EUR in revenue and are one of the largest providers in the region. We mainly serve industrial customers and public authorities, but also larger shopping centers, furniture stores, highway maintenance depots, or airports, primarily in Styria. We focus on long-term customer relationships. We have customers that we have been serving for over 40 years; during this time, trustworthy partnerships and even real friendships have emerged. We support their facilities throughout their entire lifecycle, assist in the development of further sites, and take on maintenance.
Wirtschaftsforum: Complete solutions from a single source have become a trademark. What exactly does that mean?
Alexander Fürnschuß: Each facility is unique. We get involved from the planning stages of a project and accompany it up to maintenance and servicing. The necessary expertise is within our company. We do not need to rely on external services and can also realize special requests. This sets us apart from the competition. Many orders come through public tenders, while other customers choose e.denzel due to the personal support and complete solutions offered. They know that our long-standing staff have comprehensive expertise and experience and can implement it effectively.
Wirtschaftsforum: What role does digitalization play for e.denzel?
Alexander Fürnschuß: It plays a significant role on various levels, for example, in communication. We are constantly in connection with our project staff, all important information is transmitted digitally, everyone has access to new plans, documents, or changes at any time. The building technology has now been completely digitalized, so that one can access the systems from anywhere.
Wirtschaftsforum: For over 100 years, e.denzel has evolved with the market. What is the future direction?
Alexander Fürnschuß: The fact that we have a very good capacity utilization despite the tense market situation confirms our corporate philosophy. We want to continue to grow, become even more well-known as a full-service provider, and be the first choice for our customers in the region. For this purpose, in July 2025, the Styrian provincial coat of arms was awarded to us by the State of Styria. We can rely on an excellent team for this, on dedicated and competent employees who can develop in the company from apprentices to managing directors. The familial cooperation, appreciation, and communication at eye level are very important to us. Only together can we be sustainably successful.