October 20 - Josef Prangl, founder of Austrian access, lifting and transport provider Prangl, passed away unexpectedly recently at the age of 87.
Born in March, 1927 in Gabersdorf, Josef Prangl tried his hand at teaching, trading motorcycles and dealing cars, before founding Prangl, which specialised in crane hiring and heavy duty transports, in 1965.
He acquired a 6,000 sq m property in Simmering in 1967, which has now grown into a 26,000 sq m facility in Brunn am Gebirge. The company plans to move into an even larger location in Vienna, with around 67,000 sq m of space.
In 1991 Prangl began a new line of business: hiring aerial work platforms. Back then Josef Prangl was Europe's first crane supplier who understood and also implemented the synergies between the crane and working platform business. For this, says Prangl, he will always be remembered as a visionary pioneer.
In 2000, Josef's son Christian Prangl joined the company, and with his support, the company's founder was able to gradually retire from the business, although he still maintained close ties with the company that he had built.
Josef Prangl, 1927 - 2014
