Bought sales
“Definitely less than five million euros. It was planned. We invested very strongly in 2024 and achieved growth of 100,000 new customers, because they have been omitted,” says the Spusu boss. “The business went down. We knew that we will be negative in 2024.”
To do this, you have to know that there was no loss in the 2023 financial year because Mass Response Service GmbH agreed on a new contract with a significant business partner and was extremely credited to 5.86 million euros. This cooperation with the business partner continues. Spusu is a virtual mobile phone provider without its own network that offers its services on the network of three.
Invested massively in advertising
“We have given the strategy internally that we want to have more than 500,000 customers in the four countries of Austria, Italy, England and Switzerland,” says Pichler. “In Austria we already have 650,000 customers, which is ticked off. We also have very good growth in Italy, England and Switzerland.”
In 2024, according to Pichler, Spusu was able to increase sales in Austria from 67.68 million euros to around 80 million euros. This was only possible because they were massively invested in advertising. Testimonial is the kicker legend Hans Krankl.
If around eight million euros were spent on advertising in the 2023 financial year, it was said to have been 11 to 13 million euros in the previous year. Pichler does not want to commit himself here either. But this year the advertising and sponsorship expenses are to be reduced to five million euros.
Sports sponsoring drove back
“We drove back our sports sponsorship,” says Pichler. “In Austria we don’t want to grow as extremely as last year in mobile communications, so we drive back the sponsorships. We stop not listing anywhere, but want to continue in a reduced form.” Spusu remains sponsor of Rapid, Austria Vienna, SKN St. Pölten, the Vienna Capitals and “of 80 football clubs in rural areas”.
Capital providers got out
However, Mass Response Service GmbH has so far had a investor who was involved in sales for a period of 15 years. “I bought it out,” says Pichler. “You can also see that we are doing well.”
Weniger E-Bikes
Spusu also produces e-bikes. If you originally had 2,000 electric bikes producing a year, it is now 700 to 1,000 pieces. “The business is flourishing, but the mega deal with Lieferando limits our sales opportunities,” says Pichler. Spusu rents 375 e-bikes to the food supplier and serve the bikes every six weeks.
The business figures
Mass Response Service GmbH, the umbrella company of Spusu, increased sales of 67.68 million euros to just over 80 million in the previous year. This only includes Austria sales, says Pichler. The group sales are around 140 million euros
The markets
The company works in mobile communications in Austria, Italy, Switzerland and England. In addition to mobile communications, glass fiber fixture is offered in this country. At the same time, the company produces e-bikes and organic wine in Austria