Linz – As of November 2026, ekey will be part of the MACO Group. The two well-established Austrian companies, based in Salzburg and Linz, are thus pooling their expertise to jointly shape the future of smart building access. Following MACO’s acquisition of a majority stake, Manuel Biechl, Chief Sales Officer of the MACO Group, and Michael Gallner-Holzmann, a representative of ekey’s owner family, will assume management of the company.
Shaping the next generation of building access together
The goal of the partnership is to combine the technological strengths of both companies, further develop solutions for smart building access, and tap into new international growth opportunities.
“With MACO’s commitment, we have found a strong partner to help us implement our future growth strategy. It is particularly important to us that we maintain our technological expertise, our innovative strength, and our long-standing relationships with our customers and partners, while at the same time taking advantage of new opportunities that arise from this collaboration,” says Michael Gallner-Holzmann
ekey remains ekey: The brand and our long-standing partnerships remain unchanged
The ekey brand and the existing product portfolio will remain unchanged, as will the long-standing, proven business relationships with door, lock, and hardware manufacturers, as well as companies in the electrical, building, and smart home technology sectors. At the same time, the partnership opens up new opportunities to further develop technologies and products and to create additional value for customers and partners.
Investment in Austrian technological expertise
Both companies have close ties to their Austrian locations: MACO is headquartered in Salzburg, and ekey in Linz. The partnership thus strengthens two Austrian technology hubs and creates long-term opportunities.
“The future of building access is digital, connected, and user-friendly. With ekey, we are gaining a strong technology specialist that perfectly complements our expertise in the field of smart access solutions. At the same time, together we are sending a clear signal of innovation and value creation from Austria,” says Manuel Biechl, CSO of the MACO Group.
Intelligently combining mechanics, electronics, and biometrics
The partnership opens up new opportunities: Both companies aim to integrate their technological expertise more closely, develop solutions for the next generation of smart building access, and create additional value for customers and partners.
“MACO and ekey have been working together successfully for many years. With this majority stake, we are taking this partnership to the next level and pooling our expertise even more closely. This is how we create comprehensive system solutions for smart, connected building access,” says Mario Neuwirth, CEO of the MACO Group.
About MACO
MACO was founded in 1947 and is one of the world’s leading manufacturers of window, door, and large-surface fittings. The group employs approximately 2,300 people at six production sites and 15 international sales offices. With its Research and Innovation Center at its headquarters in Salzburg and the integration of HAUTAU GmbH, the corporate group has systematically expanded its expertise in the areas of window automation and sliding systems in recent years.
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