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Palmers wants to continue to take over Hygiene Austria. The masks are currently manufactured in stock. Wieser: The quality of the purchased FFP2 masks is excellent. Wieser: “I just don’t think it’s okay if a partner, to put it casually, steals a bit during this time.”
19.37, March 8, 2021
After fiber maker Lenzing, the majority owner of mask maker Hygiene Austria, surprisingly retired its two CEOs on Monday, it has to minority shareholder Palmer’s remaining managing director Tino Wieser is solely responsible for limiting the damage in the mask scandal. In reality, he wanted to take over the company entirely, but Lenzing broke off contact, Wieser told the APA on Monday night.
In the afternoon, Lenzing had announced that it would take effect immediately. The appointment of Stephan Sielaff as Managing Director Hygiene Austria was withdrawn and Stephan Trubrich will be called as managing director. The reason given was that they had not been given full access to important documents.
“Last week we worked together with Lenzing to clear the whole thing up, including the entire weekend, except yesterday at eight o’clock when I suddenly sat there alone,” Wieser told the APA. “Today the statement came in at noon, while all employees were invited to a team luncheon, that all Lenzing employees would be retired.”
Noise among Hygiene Austria owners
“Not well”
Until then, Lenzing had been there with 15-20 people. “In terms of the division of tasks, it was clear from the beginning that Lenzing would do the production and procurement of materials, as well as quality assurance and certificates,” said Wieser. Palmers’ tasks were sales, marketing, logistics, and accounting. “I just don’t think it’s okay if a partner steals a bit during this time, to put it bluntly.”
Wieser does not accept Lenzing’s reasoning that important documents were not accessible. “Do you know what happens when a house is searched? Everything is confiscated. We sat here until Saturday night, worked out everything together. Yesterday data was exchanged, the latest data was exchanged this morning. “But it is not possible to inspect documents that are in the prosecution.
“I called everyone, no one answers”
Over the weekend, mask production was discontinued but has since resumed, Wieser reported. It is now producing in stock at the moment. “Last week was not the best in terms of sales, you have to be very clear.” The quality of the masks is excellent, even if small quantities have been purchased from China. That was checked again last weekend.
He still intends to take over Hygiene Austria entirely. “I made a purchase offer, we were already drafting the contract, the notary was appointed for 2 in the afternoon today”Wieser said. Instead, however, there was Lenzing’s surprising press release. He is still interested in the acquisition, but “you have to talk to me. If the majority shareholder no longer talks to you, it will be a bit difficult. I called everyone, no one answers.”
More than 100 million masks produced so far
“I understand people’s insecurity,” Wieser said, but “our masks are all of the highest quality. We also had the masks made by the contracted manufacturer rechecked over the weekend. “ Nobody has to worry, “the masks are better than anything else you can buy on the market.” Hygiene Austria made 98 percent of its sales in Austria. “We are an Austrian company and everything I deliver is fine.” So far, more than 100 million masks have been produced, of which only a small part has been purchased from a contract manufacturer due to high demand. “I am of the opinion that I have done nothing wrong,” said Wieser. “In my opinion, a certain amount of the product is sufficient to write ‘Made in Austria'”. It is the same model and the same material, “they are twice as expensive as if you made them yourself.”
“This is Europe, this is not the pampas”
It was also criticized that the certification of FFP2 protective masks was not carried out in Austria. Last weekend’s review also took place in Hungary, Wieser said. “This is Europe, this is not the pampas.” In the course of the certification process, we call out to all parts of Europe: “Who can issue us a certificate quickly?” Austria has only had one certification body, I think since December last year. “With other certification bodies, there would have been waiting times of six to eight months.
“I never called the Kurz”
Wieser also rejected the allegation that Hygiene Austria had employed undeclared temporary workers. They used three personnel supply companies and were presented with statements from social security and tax authorities every month. to verify that all employees have successfully logged in. “In the course of the investigation last week, we had all the records of all the employees. I will put my hand on fire for that.” They currently have 220 employees and plan to increase to 300 by the middle of the month.
The scandal takes on a political dimension through Wieser’s relationship with Federal Chancellor Sebastian Kurz’s (ÖVP) office manager, who is married to his brother, Palmers board member Luca Wieser. Hygiene Austria could have benefited from this close relationship, making it suspicious. Wieser also rejects this accusation. “We have sold a total of only one percent of everything we have produced during the entire period to public authorities, governments and the BBG (Federal Procurement Company, note)“said the managing director of Hygiene Austria.” I never used the Kurz on the phone. I was at your election rally, what do I know when it was in 2015? – to congratulate you, that’s all “.
