The last acquisition only became public at the beginning of September: As reported, Doppler Holding, based in Wels, took over the liquid gas provider Primagaz, based in Kirchbichl, Tyrol, thereby expanding its market position. The purchase of another competitor was completed today. All shares of the Vienna-based Propangas GmbH (also known as Drachengas) were taken over, which includes the headquarters in Schwadorf in Lower Austria as well as branches in Graz and Feistritz.
“This completes the investments in this segment of the liquid gas market in Austria for Doppler Holding,” says owner Franz Joseph Doppler. Nothing was disclosed about the purchase price. Propane gas belonged to the Italian Veroniki Holding, which operates in several European countries.
With the turn of the year, customers of Primagaz, Propane Gas or Doppler Gas will be supplied with liquid gas from the new brand “Dopgas”. The company of the same name is growing to around 140 employees, and the merger would secure these jobs in the long term, it is said.
According to Holding Managing Director Bernd Zierhut, the management of Dopgas will be divided among the existing companies: Doppler will take care of the personnel agenda, the propane gas boss will be responsible for finances. The Primagaz boss should become the managing director.
Dopgas will have storage capacities of around 6,000 tons, which will ensure supply to customers for 30 days in the event of a bottleneck. As reported, the bottling station for bottled gas in Enns is to be expanded in the coming years. Liquefied gas is used as a heating medium in industry or in the private sector.
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**Interview with Franz Joseph Doppler, Owner of Doppler Holding**
**Interviewer**: Thank you for joining us today, Mr. Doppler. We’re excited to hear about your latest acquisition of Propangas GmbH. Can you share what motivated this decision?
**Franz Joseph Doppler**: Thank you for having me. Expanding our market position in the liquid gas sector is a strategic move for us. By acquiring Propangas, we’re not just adding a competitor to our portfolio; we’re enhancing our service capabilities and ensuring a more robust supply chain for our customers.
**Interviewer**: This acquisition follows your recent purchase of Primagaz. How does this fit into your overall vision for Doppler Holding?
**Franz Joseph Doppler**: It’s all part of our mission to consolidate our presence in the liquid gas market across Austria. With these two acquisitions, we’re completing our investments in this segment and transitioning to a unified brand, Dopgas. This will streamline our operations and improve our service delivery to our customers.
**Interviewer**: You mentioned that the transition to the new brand will happen at the turn of the year. What can customers expect from Dopgas?
**Franz Joseph Doppler**: Customers will enjoy continuity in service as they transition. We foresee no disruptions in their supply of liquid gas. We’re also committed to enhancing our service standards and ensuring that every customer receives the support they need. Our combined workforce will ensure that we can meet demand efficiently.
**Interviewer**: Speaking of the workforce, how will this acquisition impact the employees of both companies?
**Franz Joseph Doppler**: We’re dedicated to job security. With around 140 employees under the Dopgas banner, we’re committed to securing those jobs long-term. The merger creates a more stable organization, and we see this as an opportunity to leverage our combined expertise and experience.
**Interviewer**: Can you tell us about operations and management structure within Dopgas?
**Franz Joseph Doppler**: Certainly. We’re creating a management structure that incorporates leadership from all existing operations—Doppler will oversee personnel matters, the Propangas team will manage finances, and we’re promoting the Primagaz leadership to the managing director position. This collaborative approach will help us innovate and respond more effectively to market demands.
**Interviewer**: with regard to infrastructure, what are your plans to ensure adequate supply?
**Franz Joseph Doppler**: We’re focusing on enhancing our storage capabilities. Dopgas will have around 6,000 tons of storage, which will support customer supply for about 30 days should any bottlenecks arise. Additionally, we have plans to expand our bottling station in Enns over the next few years, which will further bolster our operations.
**Interviewer**: Thank you for your insights, Mr. Doppler. It seems like exciting times ahead for Doppler Holding and its customers.
**Franz Joseph Doppler**: Thank you! We’re looking forward to what the future holds as we embark on this new chapter with Dopgas.
