Lindner chronicles - through time and space

1940s
Hans Lindner

Hans Lindner

Hans Lindner was born in Arnstorf as the child to publicans Hans and Therese Lindner.

1950s
Parents as entrepreneurial influence.
Sawmill apprenticeship.

Parents as entrepreneurial influence.

Hans Lindner goes to the grammar school at Kloster Metten (monastery school). He spends the holidays at his parents’ inn in Arnstorf, which is mainly and passionately run by his mother. It is where Hans gets first hand business experience for his professional career. In addition to the inn, his father Hans Lindner sen. had started up a small timber trade in the years after the War.

The entrepreneurial spirit of the parents has a lasting impression on Hans Lindner. Today, he says that through many schools hours he much more “thought about the marketing possibilities of agricultural products and the construction of houses than the conjugation of Latin verbs”.

Sawmill apprenticeship.

At age 17 Hans Lindner began a commercial apprenticeship at Wimmer sawmill in nearby Pfarrkirchen. Very soon, and despite his young age, the owner assigns him highly responsible tasks, such as steering a timber truck.

1960s
His dream: building prefab houses.
First job for Akustikbau Lindner GmbH.
Early large-scale projects in Bavaria.

His dream: building prefab houses.

At 22, Hans Lindner graduates from the commercial branch of the ‘Staatliche Ingenieurschule für Holztechnik’ (engineering college for timber technologies), in Rosenheim. At this point he dreams of going to Finland, the ‘country of prefabricated houses’. He himself plans to build prefabricated houses in Germany after that. But events took a different turn: After his mother had become very sick in the meantime, he decides to remain in her vicinity. He works as the deputy production manager at Isartaler-Holzhaus in Holzkirchen, near Munich.

First job for Akustikbau Lindner GmbH.

At the age of 24, Hans Lindner sets up his own business: Akustikbau Lindner GmbH. The representative of a building materials manufacturer, Mr. Schmid, helped him win his first job with a contract size of DM 35,000, a suspended acoustic ceiling in the Agricultural Vocational School Deggendorf. The substructure of wooden slats was produced in the shed of his father. Accompanied by two unemployed carpenters from the Bavarian Forest – 1965 the unemployment rate in Germany was nearly zero – Hans installed the ceiling within five to six weeks to the full satisfaction of the customer. He immediately recognized the potential of the interior fit-out market and postponed the fulfillment of his vision to build prefabricated houses.

Early large-scale projects in Bavaria.

Akustikbau Lindner wins their first large-scale projects, such as the University of Regensburg, several subway stations and the Stachus in Munich.

1970s
First production site in Arnstorf.
Lindner builds for the Summer Olympics.
Grown to 400 employees.
First holiday home for employees.
Becoming a general contractor.
First issue of the company newsletter.

First production site in Arnstorf.

The first production facility, a joinery, is built. Ceiling and partition systems are the first products being manufactured there. The building was used until 1988.

At a time of full employment in Germany (0.5 % unemployment rate), Lindner is growing faster than the labour market allows for: vacancies remain unfilled. Hans Lindner and his early companions decide to recruit one hundred Turkish employees. They help to build the company further and many of them soon take on managerial responsibilities within the construction site teams. Most colleagues remain with Lindner until their well-deserved retireme

Lindner builds for the Summer Olympics.

Lindner is contracted with several projects on the occasion of the Olympic Games in Munich, inlcuding the fit-out of student housings, olympic riding facilities and the olympic village.

Grown to 400 employees.

Consistent growth in the 1970s: Akustikbau Lindner GmbH now employs about 400 people.

First holiday home for employees.

1974 Lindner builds the first holiday residence for employees and their families on the Costa Blanca, Spain. The ever increasing number of staff members made it necessary to look for additional vacation opportunities in other areas. Several new multi-apartment residences are built or acquired, so that employees can now have their vacation for free in Germany, Austria, South Tyrol, Ireland, Slovakia and Croatia. Every year more than 1,000 Lindner colleagues stay in one of the holiday residences.

Becoming a general contractor.

Lindner’s first major general contracting job is the University of Wuppertal, worth DM 22 million. Handling a project of this size requires a disciplined effort throughout the whole value chain. Fortunately it turns out well and the client is satisfied upon completion of project.

First issue of the company newsletter.

The first issue of the employee newsletter ‘Lindner Intern’ appears, written by employees and management. Until today, each employee receives his personal issue of the monthly magazine – from employee to employee.

1980s
New frontiers: Lindner Isoliertechnik.
Reform: small companies within the company.
Lindner starts floor production.
Akustikbau Lindner GmbH becomes Lindner AG.
A falling wall opens additional markets.

New frontiers: Lindner Isoliertechnik.

Hans Lindner acquires Jade Holzwerke in Wilhelmshaven. The acquisition of the specialist for veneered panels paves the way for tendering the wooden partitions for the Deutsche Bank in Frankfurt. 25 years later, the two towers will mark another milestone in the company's history.

With the core business of interior fit-out running very well, a new division is launched: the acquisition of Röckelein, Munich, starts the operation of Lindner Isoliertechnik. It grows into a leading specialist for insulation and environmental protection technology.

The first foreign subsidiary in Baden, Austria, also goes into service in 1982. After some demanding early years, Lindner Austria (together with the floor specialist company Goldbach) has become one of the most successful subsidiaries of the Lindner Group.

Reform: small companies within the company.

After rapid growth during the first 19 years serious problems occur in the corporate structure. To secure the future success of the company, Hans Lindner opted for a fundamental restructuring of the organization. One of the main changes is to merge sale and project execution to improve client service and quality – a model that still runs successfully within the company today.

Small internal profit centres are established during that time in order to promote the individual entrepreneurial spirit of the employees. Since then 15% of the corporate success are given to the employees.

Lindner starts floor production.

Lindner starts the production of flooring systems. Raised and hollow floors become the third major business area within a short period of time, next to ceiling and partition systems.

At the same time Hans Lindner pushes on the internationalization of the company, for instance towards Eastern Europe and the

Akustikbau Lindner GmbH becomes Lindner AG.

The conversion into the corporation Lindner AG Decken-, Boden-, Trennwandsysteme is an important step to build a safe future for the company. The initial public offer takes place three years later. The regional newspaper ‘Rottaler Anzeiger’ for the first time names Lindner the district’s largest company.

Lindner Schadstoffsanierung (Clearance of Harmful Substances) assumes duties as a specialist for deconstruction and professional disposal of asbestos, PCB, PCP, etc.

A falling wall opens additional markets.

The German reunification opens a new market for Lindner. The decision by the Federal Government to move their offices to Berlin makes the new capital one of Lindner’s target markets. At times, up to 1,000 fitters work at Lindner construction sites in Berlin.

1990s
Thank you for 25 years! Hans Lindner starts his Foundation.
Project success: Hong Kong Airport.
Fundatia Hans Lindner for youth support.
Goldbach NORIT joins Lindner.

Thank you for 25 years! Hans Lindner starts his Foundation.

Lindner celebrates its 25th anniversary.

In gratitude for the very successful development of his company, the Hans Lindner Foundation is established as a public foundation under civil law. The foundation has the objective of supporting financially suffering people and of promoting start-up companies in order to create more jobs in the rural economy of Lower Bavaria.

The Hans Lindner Foundation also acquires the former district hospital in Arnstorf. The large complex is transformed into a Multi-Generation Home, called the Parkwohnstift. Today, more than 250 people spend their retirement there in comfortable surroundings, assisted in their everyday life by skilled nurses for the elderly.

Project success: Hong Kong Airport.

The General Contracting business now amounts for 50 % of Lindner’s sales volume. These high-responsibility projects pose a big challenge to the company and employees but also bring a lot of additional work for production, installation and project management.

The major contract Hong Kong International Airport with an order volume of more than DM 90 million is signed. With 160,000 m² of metal ceilings it represents the largest contract in the company's history. The smooth and professional handling of this high-profile project fills Hans Lindner and all employees involved with pride, even more when considering the flight distance of twelve hours and six or seven resp. hours in time difference.

The quality management of Lindner AG and Lindner Insulation and Industrial Services GmbH is successfully certified to DIN EN ISO 9001. This demonstrates the companies’ ambition to operate in a transparent and reliable way and to the highest quality standards to meet their customers’ needs.

Fundatia Hans Lindner for youth support.

The Fundatia Hans Lindner is established in Satu Mare, Romania, focusing on youth development programmes. In 1999, the foundation is extended to Kampala in Uganda, where children and adolescents are also at the very heart of operations. Hans Lindner and his family regularly spend time with the employees of the foundations at the foundation offices.

Goldbach NORIT joins Lindner.

A proven specialist in high quality flooring systems, the acquisition of Goldbach NORIT enriches the range of products tremendously and also means another burst of growth for the family business at a time when the construction industry is still struggling with an ongoing downturn. Lindner Floor Systems are now positioned as a leading member in the market.

2000s
New challenge: project development.
Hans Lindner receives Order of Merit.
Certified acoustic labs open in Arnstorf.
Hans Lindner follows his passion: brewing beer.
New production site for wooden doors.
Schmidlin (UK) joins Lindner.
Opening of Schlossparkhotel Mariakirchen.
Launching Cruise Liner and Ship Fit-out.
Green Building milestone: Deutsche Bank, Frankfurt.

New challenge: project development.

Own project developments bring further expertise: identifying potential locations and then developing and building office space, commercial and residential centres, becomes a new area of business for the company. In 2000, Lindner starts projects in Slovakia, Hungary and Bulgaria.

The largest project is the Business Park Sofia, ideally located between city centre and the airport. Developed on an area of 220,000 m², the Business Park offers 240,000 m² of office and commercial space for 650 companies with 11,500 employees. In the neighbouring Residential Park Sofia, Lindner builts nearly 200 single- and multi-family houses on a site area of 200,000 m².

Hans Lindner receives Order of Merit.

Hans Lindner is awarded the Bavarian Order of Merit in appreciation of his entrepreneurial success and his service to the public.

Certified acoustic labs open in Arnstorf.

The Headquarters in Arnstorf, now comprising over 100,000 m² of office and production area, gains another attraction: Lindner build their own sound-testing laboratories. The project-specific adaptation of self-manufactured system products has become a core competency of Lindner and the integration of own TÜV certified laboratories significantly enhances the capacities for short-term product alterations and development, especially when working to tight deadlines for completion.

Lindner AG buys an old castle, Schloss Mariakirchen, from the 16th century to preserve it from decay. An extensive refurbishment begins and turns the estate partly into a picturesque training centre for own employees and also other companies.

Hans Lindner follows his passion: brewing beer.

The innkeepers’ son Hans Lindner fulfils his dream: Right next to the Schloss Mariakirchen he opens his own brewery, the Schlossbräu Mariakirchen. The old stable of the castle, built in 1785, houses not only the brewery, but offers various function rooms with capacities for more than 200 guests.

Meanwhile the internationalisation of the company continues: a new subsidiary in China emphasises Lindner’s presence in Asia. Ever since then, the facilities in Taicang manufacture metal ceilings and partition systems to German quality standards.

New production site for wooden doors.

Out of the small company aw Türen, a new product division with a highly promising future emerges. Lindner sets up a modern production plant for Lindner Doors in Ostrov, Czech Republic. Finished wooden doors are manufactured true to customer specification – ranging from standard object doors through to sound and fire protection doors with special surfaces and in customised dimensions.

Schmidlin (UK) joins Lindner.

The British curtain wall specialist Schmidlin (UK) joins Lindner and rounds off the range of Lindner services. In Arnstorf production lines for system and custom facades are set up. The acquisition also expands the scope of duties for the major project Heathrow Airport Terminal 5: Lindner is no longer working just on the interior fit-out, but is also responsible for the building envelope. The order volume at Heathrow Airport grows to approximately 130 million euros.

 Hans Lindner becomes honorary citizen of his hometown Arnstorf. Prior to that, he had been granted honorary citizenship by the Romanian town of Satu Mare back in 2001.

Opening of Schlossparkhotel Mariakirchen.

Lindner builds their first hotel: The Schlossparkhotel Mariakirchen opens as a 4-star hotel. The listed garden house of the castle from 1810 serves as the entrance to the hotel. In the years to come further hotels under the brand mk | hotels, partly with own brewery, are set up.

In Dubai a joint venture is established, called Lindner Depa. Lindner enters the rapidly growing market in the UAE with own local offices after thorough preparation by the supply-only business. Soon after that expansion the first new major order is won: Lindner Depa starts the interior fit-out of the Dubai Metro Stations on the Red Line.

Launching Cruise Liner and Ship Fit-out.

Lindner again adds a field of application to their interior fit-out expertise: At the dockyard of renowned Meyer Werft, the first of several projects for the fit-out of high-quality cruise ships start off.

Green Building milestone: Deutsche Bank, Frankfurt.

Green Building also becomes more and more important for Lindner. The growing market for building certification and, corresponding with it, the increasing demands for carefully designed products, is a big opportunity for Lindner as a provider of the complete supply chain, from the development to the keys. The renovation of the Deutsche Bank office towers in Frankfurt is a milestone for Green Building projects worldwide by successfully winning LEED Platinum and DGNB Gold status.

2010s
Formation of the Lindner Group KG.
To top it all off: Prater joins Lindner.
Largest supply-only order: Holy Mosque.
50th anniversary of Lindner Group.
Forestry and Agriculture – good products for a good life!

Formation of the Lindner Group KG.

The Lindner Group KG creates an umbrella for all of the company’s divisions. The former Akustikbau Lindner GmbH has developed into a large family enterprise employing more than 6,000 people. Every day, Lindner works at 1,500 construction sites worldwide.

To top it all off: Prater joins Lindner.

The building envelope and roof specialist Prater Ltd, based in London, becomes part of the Lindner Group. With its successful development over 60 years, family-owned Prater is a perfect fit for the Group. The core competencies of Prater complement the range of services in the UK market, where Lindner now offers interior fit-out and the entire building envelope.

Also new within the Lindner portfolio: scaffolding. The daughter company of Lindner Isoliertechnik und Industrieservice GmbH significantly adds to the Group's capacity for industry projects, building construction and renovation as well as specialist interior fit-out.

Largest supply-only order: Holy Mosque.

The development, production and delivery of special metal ceilings for the “Holy Mosque” Masjid al-Haram in Mecca is not only a milestone for the business in the Middle East but also the largest supply-only contract Lindner has ever had.

50th anniversary of Lindner Group.

On the occasion of the anniversary, the Lindner Group takes a look back on pioneering projects, decisive places, classic products, mastered challenges and milestones

Forestry and Agriculture – good products for a good life!

A logical continuation of the business divisions Gastronomy, Hotels and Breweries is the new area Forestry and Agriculture. It produces high-quality organic food with a great emphasis on ecological and sustainable operation, for example through species-appropriate pasture grazing.

The food is then used for the company´s own demand, but also for external selling under the Land.Luft brand.

2020s
Conversion of Lindner AG to Lindner SE

Conversion of Lindner AG to Lindner SE

Lindner AG is now a European company: On May 30th 2020, Lindner AG (public limited company under German law) was converted into a European SE (Societas Europaea).