LiGHT connects PEOPLE
We have been manufacturing lighting poles with design, perfection and quality for many decades. Technology has come a long way since the early days. Today, as in the past, we stand for innovation and development. In the future, modern technologies from the fields of mobility, energy, urban planning, administration and communication will be networked in smart cities and smart streets. This calls for sustainable development and technical innovation. Our Fonatsch answer to this is mast have BY FONATSCH - the intelligent, digital mast. We live and breathe innovation, which is why we are delighted that our multifunctional and energy self-sufficient bus stop shelter of the future - the station BY FONATSCH - has already won several awards. From the "creative into the future award" to the "VCÖ Mobility Award Lower Austria".
At Fonatsch, we shape light! Aesthetically beautiful, our poles, masts and waiting stations fulfill important functions - networked and equipped with the latest lighting, information and safety technologies!
Management
Marie-Luise Fonatsch
Executive Management & Owner
Our team
Mst. Christian Brahmer-Oiser
Production Manager
Hannelore Loidl
Accounting
Anita Buchegger
Disposition & Order processing
Ing. Florian Fuchs
Technician & Construction
Ing. Lukas Ledl
Technician & Construction
Johannes Koppelhuber
Project Management
Michael Pichler
Dispatch Manager
History
"Work and family" certificate
We were presented with the "berufundfamilie" (work and family) certificate at a ceremony in the Palais Berg in Vienna. Fonatsch GmbH has been a certified family-friendly employer since 2013, and in January 2024 we were once again the recipient of this government quality seal for successful re-certification. This officially confirms that we continue to offer our employees good, reliable conditions for combining family and career.
TÜV certification
In March 2023, we successfully passed our TÜV certification for the following areas: Design, construction, production, sales and logistics of innovative lighting poles, bus stop shelters & waiting stations as well as street furniture according to EN ISO 9001:2015 and EN ISO 14001:2015.
Visit from Federal Minister Klaudia Tanner
In March 2022, we had the pleasure of welcoming BM Klaudia Tanner to Melk. Of course, she didn't miss the opportunity to visit our production facilities and to walk along the Smart Street. We also took the opportunity to discuss the topics of a future Blackout & Civil defense mast, DAB+ radio and lighted emergency meeting points.
Award "creative into the future"
Fonatsch has once again been awarded the 2019 "creative into the future" prize in the "technical innovation" category by the Lower Austrian Chamber of Commerce (WKO)
Austria's first SMART STREET opens!
In August 2018, Austria's first smart street was officially launched in Melk. A further step towards digitalisation and innovation, not only for us, but also for the state of Lower Austria. We presented also a new product: mast have BY Fonatsch, our multifunctional and intelligent mast.
Entrepreneur Award 2018
Marie-Luise Fonatsch was awarded the "Entrepreneurial Women's AWARD" 2018 in the category of Innovation at the award ceremony in January 2018.
VCÖ Mobility Award Lower Austria
The VCÖ Mobility Award Lower Austria has been awarded. Our station BY FONATSCH was able to bring this prestigious award to Melk. Deputy Governor Stephan Pernkopf, Provincial Councillor Karl Wilfing, VCÖ Spokesman Christian Gratzer and Huber Hager (ÖBB-Infrastruktur AG) presented the VCÖ Mobility Award Lower Austria to Marie-Luise Fonatsch and Alexander Meissner. "The VCÖ Mobility Award honours 'smart' projects that serve as a good example for many others," said Dr. Pernkopf.
"creative into the future" award for station BY FONATSCH
We were honoured to receive the "creative into the future" award from the Lower Austrian Chamber of Commerce for our station BY FONATSCH. This award reflects the great diversity and high quality of all WKO member companies and the products that contribute to the success of the business location in an innovative way.
station BY FONATSCH
In 2016, the station BY FONATSCH was added to our portfolio, a multifunctional, autonomous design bus stop shelter in various sizes as well as themed "station" waiting areas. Each waiting station is manufactured by us in Melk. Equipped with photovoltaic modules and state-of-the-art technology, we also offer modular expansion options. Every station BY FONATSCH can be customised. From a green roof habitat for bees and insects, a USB charging option, an illuminated info point or city light, WLAN to an e-bike charging station. We have meanwhile also preconfigured themed stations BY Fonatsch and so many variants of this model have been created. For example: stationBIKE, stationHIKE, stationBEE, stationCHILL and stationSMOKE.
50 years of Fonatsch
On June 10th, 2015 we celebrated our anniversary with a light festival. Our guests were the night watchmen from Waidhofen an der Ybbs, who told us about the history of light. The dancers from the School of Dance under the direction of Gianpiero Tiranzoni, Ron Glaser with band and Daidalos (fire show) gave an impressive show.
Foundation of the GmBH
In 2001 the company was transformed into the Fonatsch GmbH
The trade has been changed
Locksmithing and masts had long become the core business.
Our family-owned business was founded
The company was registered as a manufacturer of agricultural machinery, a dealer in agricultural machinery and equipment, and the third entry was for locksmiths. Soon after, the company received an order to manufacture a lighting pole for Prinzersdorf. Recognising a gap in the market with potential for the future, the company specialised in the manufacture of masts.