ÖAMTC officials urgently need breakdown service even

Why director Oliver Schmerold throws the towel after 15 years of success. And what his withdrawal has to do with federalism and the countries.

The mood in the state-of-the-art ÖAMTC headquarters was depressed. president Günter thumser had told the employees on Wednesday, the long -time director, Oliver Schmeroldwill say goodbye to the beginning of June. For 15 years, operational head of Austria’s largest club has been popular and recognized not only at the workforce. He has been manage the ÖAMTC very successfully for 15 years: the number of members increased from 1.7 to more than 2.5 million, the services are expanded and economically positive results.

What happened that the top manager now throws the towel?

This has a lot to do with the federal, complex structure of the ÖAMTC, built up on 100 -year -old club statutes. 12 volunteer presidents, seven state associations with employed state directors, a director as an operational boss. The question is whether such a construct is still up to date for an organization with 4,200 employees.

There have always been differences, but the trenches have been getting deeper and deeper for a year. It is about the question of whether more federalism or more centralization. And for core tasks versus future business. Also through the member magazine auto touringwith two million editions, the country’s largest magazine is disputed.

On the one hand, Vienna, Lower Austria and Burgenland (WNB), which are merged in an association, have 42 percent of the voting rights and put the association, the headquarters. On the other hand, except for Vorarlberg, the other countries.

The WNB under President Thumser is accused of wanting to centralize the mobility club like a group. He heads the branded article association and was a long successful boss of Henkel Austria and CEE.

In the WNB you can see the adversary as a colorful provincial troop, sometimes far away from economic expertise, prevent a future-oriented strategy. The fact that Schmerold was on the side of the modernizers still tightened the conflict. Even a mediator could not help.

Training rejected

Some country officials do not want to be bothered with operational details. The statement from a session is rumored, “we do not want to know anything surgical, but just get along well”. When President Thumser set up a free supervisory board for the officials, the interest was manageable. The training was rejected.

Such a qualification would certainly not have harmed one or the other. The ÖAMTC presidents of Carinthia are considered the main critics, Johanna Mutzl, and Pia crows In Tyrol. Both are consultants, for communication and conflicts, with cute squirrels and wisdoms such as “humans are unique and think differently” on their homepages.

The departure of Schmerold could be a healing shock. An external advisor should soon provide breakdown help, for a structural analysis and the further strategy.

“The ÖAMTC deals intensively with the joint development of a future-oriented governance. That means a leadership and management structure that brings the federal principle together with the necessary joint umbrella organization of such a large institution,” explains Thumser to the courier. Nache: “Especially responsible for the 4,200 employees who are extremely committed and loyal to people in terms of mobility every day”.

Controlling tones also come from Carinthia. There are always different opinions within a large organization, says President Mutzl. “There were different perspectives on structural questions, which were always discussed factually and professionally”. Future challenges would require a constant further development of the structures, “the close cooperation between state associations and the Federal Organization remains a central factor of success”. So what.

Facts

 Leistungen 
Breakdown help, legal advice, test services, insurance, travel service. Protection letter with health and vehicle reclining, health protection abroad. Charging points, lobbying and information

Balance sheet
2.578 million
Members, trend continues, 4,200 employees, 115 bases. 18 travel agency branches, 2163 benefit partner. Beteiligungs GmbH comprises commercial daughters, 1.5 million euros in balance sheet profit (2023).