DIY-Lifetime Award for Karlheinz Essl

Karlheinz Essl, founder of the Austrian DIY chain Baumax, was presented with the DIY-Lifetime Award within the framework of the 12th International DIY Congress in Mainz organised by the BHB (German DIY & Garden Retailers’ Association). In his laudatory address Michael Baumgardt, president of the BHB, paid tribute to the achievements of Mr Essl throughout his lifetime. Not only did he make his company into the leading DIY chain in Austria, but geared it strongly towards central and eastern Europe after 1990 as well. As a result, in the words of Baumgardt, Baumax became one of the major European DIY retailers. Karlheinz Essl stressed how important it has always been to him, and still continues to be important, to continue to advance the idea of DIY retailing in Europe in partnership with the BHB. The prize is sponsored jointly by the BHB and Dähne Verlag, publishers in Ettlingen, Germany. The jury comprises four members: one from each of the sponsoring organisations, plus one each from two industry associations, Haus & Garten and Industrieverband Garten. This is the sixth time that the award has been presented. Previous recipients: Dr Gerhard Büchtemann (Lugato), Otmar Hornbach (Hornbach DIY stores), Baldwin Knauf (Knauf Gips KG), Manfred Maus (Obi) and Hans Rudolf Müller (Gardena). Download: