Young craftsmen look to the future: Wastlhuber turns 100!

Young craftsmen look to the future: Wastlhuber turns 100!

In Mühldorf there is a breath of fresh air in the traditional carpentry workshop Wastlhuber. Michael Obereisenbuchner, who took over Sepp Wastlhuber's carpentry business, has taken on the challenge of company succession with flying colors. During a job interview in 2018, the then 24-year-old was asked for the first time whether he would like to be his successor. At that time he didn't know anything about the search for a successor. But the young man, encouraged by a lecturer at his master's school, took the step and applied.

After a two-month phase as a journeyman and completing his master's certificate, Obereisenbuchner worked in the company for four years and prepared intensively for the takeover. Management consultant Reinhold Wanner accompanied the handover process and emphasized the importance of different skills for the role of an entrepreneur.

A well thought-out handover process

The Wastlhuber carpentry workshop, which will celebrate its 100th anniversary in 2026, was able to take 15 employees and their families with them on the journey, which led to a smooth change in management after two years of preliminary planning. In October 2022, employees were informed of the upcoming changes and, to the relief of many, everyone remained with the company.

“It is reassuring to know that the workforce remains part of the company,” says Matthias Hoferer, Obereisenbuchner’s deputy. To ensure continuity, Axel Wastlhuber, the predecessor, will remain in the company until the end of 2026 and will provide Obereisenbuchner with advice and support. A team of three, consisting of Obereisenbuchner, Wastlhuber and Hoferer, makes the decisions together.

Digitalization and new offers

One of the hallmarks of Obereisenbuchner's leadership is his commitment to digitalization. He launched his own website to make the Wastlhuber carpentry shop visible online. With a wide range of services, ranging from high-quality construction and furniture carpentry to a possible expansion for contract work, the carpentry shop has made a name for itself both in Mühldorf and throughout Europe.

The carpentry offer includes furniture construction, interior design, ceilings and the production of windows and doors. Future plans also include stair construction, which offers customers individual, handcrafted solutions. Above all, the reliability and good service speak for the Wastlhuber carpentry company, which has always stood for quality and continues to support its customers in the planning and implementation of their projects.

Company succession is not only important for the Wastlhuber carpentry business. Ensuring that technical knowledge and skills are passed on to the next generations is also seen as essential across the industry. A well-planned succession process is crucial for the stability and continued existence of carpentry businesses. Actova emphasizes that early succession planning, ideally at least five years before the planned change, is of great importance in order to find suitable successors and integrate them into the company.

The Wastlhuber carpentry workshop not only stands for an impressive tradition, but also for future-oriented corporate management. Obereisenbuchner sees his role not just as a job, but rather as a calling, which promises positive developments for the coming years.

For anyone interested in the extensive services and history of the Wastlhuber carpentry shop, further information is available the official website to find. We can't wait to see what new developments await us in Mühldorf.

Innsalzach24 continues to report on current events surrounding carpentry.