Success story
Klaus Darbo followed the company tradition, resolutely continuing the strategy of manufacturing products of superior quality. In 1978 his company marked up an annual turnover of 1,8 million Euro with a workforce of around 50 by supplying the catering trade, but this was not good enough. Within 12 years turnover had risen to 27,6 million Euro. Klaus Darbo's plan for achieving this success was clear from the beginning. The company's future lay in widening sales in the food trade. After carrying out a far-reaching study into the wishes of consumers, he and his team set to work. The brand name "DARBO NATURREIN" (ALL NATURAL) was born. This term has become a yardstick for quality in the preserves trade.
After a few years, Darbo was producing the most popular jams in Austria. The company's position as market leader was gradually developed and Darbo managed to achieve the leading position in the Austrian preserves and honey market. Darbo's capacity for innovation was one of the key factors in the company's success. In 1994 Darbo's premium quality fruit syrups line was launched and within a short time it had captured a 20% market share, thus revolutionising the syrup market. In 1998 Darbo triumphed with yet another innovation, Darbo Fruchtikus, Austria's first fruit snack for eating with a spoon.
Now Darbo is one of Austria's leading food manufacturing companies with a turnover in 2009 of 102,6 million Euro and is now one of the best-known and respected brands in the Austrian food trade.
Darbo, the Tyrolean food manufacturer, also has since 2009 a new chairman of the board. Klaus Darbo has been running the company since 1970, and is now handing over to his son Martin Darbo and leaving the board.
After putting considerable effort into exporting - once Austria's market had been opened up after becoming a member of the European Union - Darbo is making 40% of its total sales abroad. Darbo sells mainly special preserves and syrups and also supplies top-class catering establishments at international level. As a medium-term target, the company is aiming to make exports worth 50% of total sales.
A. Darbo AG's long-term aims are:
- further expansion of market share in Austria
- to seek other diversification opportunities, which support the brand's core competences (fruit and natural products)
- further developing exports.
A. Darbo AG currently employs 284 committed staff. At the heart of the company's social policies are people, as only a satisfied workforce is able to advance the company along the road to success. Every worker is able to seek advancement in his or her specialist field. Staff are fully involved in the company's activities and so are highly motivated. It is in this way that this showpiece company from the Austrian Tyrol has created the best possible basis for continuing success.
