40 years of AHT Cooling Systems

AHT can look back on a long and exciting history on the occasion of its 40th birthday. Not only the company, but also the location in Rottenmann is steeped in history.

Rottenmann was already known as a mining town more than 1000 years ago. Its exposed location between the forest and iron ore-rich mountains and the wild waters of the Palten made it the ideal place for iron processing. Over the centuries, the location was constantly expanded and has developed into an important industrial site over the last 100 years.

For 40 years now, AHT, with its headquarters in Rottenmann in Upper Styria, has stood for quality at the highest level. With its green refrigerant R290 (propane gas), AHT became the pioneer of an entire industry. Innovative equipment and high flexibility ensure that the company is and remains a reliable partner for the entire food retail trade. This is why AHT has rightly become the world market leader in plug-in refrigeration and freezer units for the food retail industry.

16 April 1983 is considered the birthday of Austria Haustechnik, as AHT was still called at that time. On this day, the company was registered at the Commercial Court in Leoben as the successor to the Bauknecht company (producer of electrical household appliances). With a focus on the production of commercial refrigerators and freezers the new company went from strength to strength. In the very first year of its existence, AHT was able to set a major milestone for its customers. It came to the development of glass lidded chests for frozen foods and ice cream. In 1986, this unique product was finally launched on the market and was immediately well received by customers.

At the Olympic Games in Sydney in 2000, the first CFC-free units with the environmentally friendly refrigerant R290 (propane gas) were introduced to the market and used there.

In addition to its headquarters in Rottenmann, AHT has three other production sites in China, the USA and Brazil. Here, specific devices are produced, adapted to the respective market. In addition, nine sales companies worldwide look after the well-being of customers on site.

In 2019, AHT became part of the Daikin family and can thus benefit from a large network and develop into a One Stop Solutions provider. In keeping with the spirit of the times, AHT has recently started offering CO2 units in its product portfolio.

In the meantime, AHT has a market share of 64 % in Europe and 33 % worldwide in the ready-toplug-in sector. Around 1500 employees all over the world ensure smooth production with top-quality equipment, fast and efficient service and thus the highest level of customer satisfaction. Around 5000 customers from large chains to small retailers speak for themselves. AHT is now active in 115 countries. These are serviced through its own subsidiaries and partners.