Getty Images / Contributor, Stefano Madrigali, Einhell
It was a mega party that was celebrated on July 28, 2023 at the Volksfestplatz in Landau an der Isar, Bavaria: the tool and garden equipment manufacturer Einhell invited 1,400 guests to the “1st Billion Party” in an oversized marquee. There was reason to celebrate: In 2022, the company broke the one billion euro sales mark for the first time in its 60-year history. The motto for the future was already shining inside the tent: “Together we will reach the 2nd billion!”. Business is booming.
The Oktoberfest band Münchner Zwietracht played, as did the world-famous Boney M. singer Liz Michell. “Lets Dance” juror Joachim Llambi hosted the colorful evening. Celebrities such as Bayern legend Giovane Élber and Mercedes motorsport director Toto Wolff congratulated. The highlight was the Austrian pop star DJ Ötzi rocking the Einhell stage.
Einhell
Gisela and Josef Thannhuber cut the cake at Einhell together with Markus and Philipp Thannhuber as well as Andreas Kroiss
It was an evening of superlatives for the employees of the tool company. Einhell boss Andreas Kroiss enthused: “It has always been my big vision to exceed the 1 billion euro sales mark. Together we made this possible. I am incredibly proud and grateful for this outstanding achievement and the valuable contribution of each individual.”
DJ Ötzi Einhell
What Kroiss did not mention, however, was that Einhell’s Russian business made a significant contribution to the group’s earnings, which amounted to a profit of around 60 million euros. Since the beginning of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, numerous German companies have turned their backs on Putin’s empire, and many goods are no longer allowed to be imported due to the sanctions. But even companies that sell goods that are not included in the sanctions lists have stopped doing business with Russia since the war.