This is Stefan Pierer: ÖVP donor and uncomfortable entrepreneur

Controversial cultural promotion for KTM Motohall

In 2015, KTM received a subsidy commitment of EUR 4.5 million from the state for the construction of an exhibition hall. 1.8 million euros of this came from the cultural budget – two tranches of 600,000 euros each were decided, and another waiver of another.

The procedure had come under criticism after cultural funding for the free scene in 2018, but the payment of a 600,000 euro rate for the Motohall was decided as a museum. The former governor and cultural officer Josef Pühringer (ÖVP) was subsequently faced with infidelity investigations by the economic and corruption prosecutor, which were, however, had been discontinued.

How Stefan Pierer’s career started

Born in Bruck on the Mur in 1956 (he celebrated his birthday on Monday) and in the nearby Etmißl industrial and father of two children after studying the business and energy industry on the Mur, began his career. Montant University Leoben At the boiler manufacturer Hoval. There he worked his way up to the sales manager. In 1987 he founded the investment company Cross Holding together with the investor Rudolf Knünz.

Pierer formed a global brand from the company parts acquired in 1991 from the bankruptcy mass of KTM Motor vehicle construction KG. As a renovator, he also made himself with the facade specialist Plasterboard and at the ski shoe manufacturer Koflach a name. In 2018 he seemed for the first time in the Forbes list of billionaires on.

Most recently, he countered his share in the German car supplier Leoni by more than 200 million euros. Together with the Red Bull heir Mark Mateschitz he took over the majority with the fire brigade supplier Rosenbauer. At least at KTM, the controversial investor is now almost at the beginning.