Also coinciding with the 65th birthday of main shareholder and deputy chairman of the firm’s supervisory board, Hubert Palfinger, the event saw hundreds of the firm’s customers, dealers and investors entertained at the Salzburg Arena.

After a musical introduction by a brass band, formed from the company’s workforce, the evening’s entertainment continued with discussions of the company, presented in a ‘chat show’ format by host Fritz Etter, a popular Austrian entertainer. Participants included Hubert Palfinger, his sons Hubert jr and Hannes, and members of the Palfinger board, alongside the Austrian chancellor Alfred Gusenabauer and local politicians. A key theme was the contribution Palfinger makes to the Austrian economy, and the family nature of the business. Supervisory board chairman Alexander Exner explained his role in helping the company balance the traditions of a family business, with its listing on the Vienna Stock Exchange.

A gold-painted PK 74002 stood at the centre of the hall, and was auctioned for charity. Diners that Cranes Today’s representative spoke to estimated the normal market value of a PK 74002 at around EUR80,000. The winning bidder, dealer Gunter Kuhn, paid EUR137,000.