Almi GmbH is a strong partner of the Almi Group and has impressed for over nine decades as a successful and reliable specialist in the international food industry. As an Austrian family business, we pass on values and experiences from generation to generation – they are the basis of our success, which is now visible worldwide. Although we operate all over the world, we are proud of our roots in the central region of Upper Austria. Regionality is close to our hearts, as it stands for quality and the fulfillment of individual customer wishes.
As an industry pioneer with a high willingness to innovate and invest, we not only shape trends but are always one step ahead of them. The developments of the past show that we are on the right path. An incentive for the future to continuously develop ourselves further without forgetting our past.
Owner & Chief Executive Officer
“We take care of tomorrow's trends today. Thanks to our strong research and development, we are always one step ahead when it comes to innovations.”
Chief Executive Officer
“We are a traditional family business with the strength of a group. As with any good family, we are strong individually, but together we are unbeatable.”
Chief Operating Officer
“Our experienced and international employees, in combination with the latest technologies, offer you successful solutions.”
The success story of Almi, from a small colonial goods store to the international Almi Group, is largely based on the fact that the company has always been and continues to be run as a family business. All members of the Mittermayr family have contributed to the development of the company from a young age and learned early on what can be achieved when everyone pulls together. Therefore, the motto for the employees of the Almi businesses is: Others have colleagues, we have family.
With courage, diligence, and a big dream, Alfred Mittermayr lays the foundation for an international corporation.
In the midst of the global economic crisis and just a few weeks after his wedding to his Friederika, Alfred Mittermayr fulfills a long-held dream: He opens his own small shop in Linz-Urfahr, Leonfeldnerstraße 15.
Known throughout Linz with the „Riesenknacker“
Moving to a larger, centrally located store on Waltherstraße. In the same year, son Alfred Junior is born.
Expansion of the colonial goods trade and supplying restaurants and butchers with spices and oils. This includes the company Hütthaler, which in turn supplies Mittermayr with so-called "Riesenknacker", for which he becomes known throughout Linz.
With pepper through the difficult time
After the outbreak of the Second World War, Alfred Mittermayr recognizes the signs of the times and buys several tons of pepper. During the war and even afterwards, it becomes an important asset that helps to keep the business running through this difficult period. Alfred is drafted - along with his BMW convertible - and his wife Friederika bravely manages the business through the war years.
Business with the „wild“ garlic
Upon his return, Alfred Mittermayr gives up the grocery store on Waltherstrasse, relocates the business to Harrachstrasse, and focuses on trading spices, oils, and fats. Alfred mixes hoarded pepper with caraway and coriander and delivers these and other spice mixes to butchers under the name "Pikala". As a substitute for the coveted garlic, he has large quantities of wild garlic cloves harvested.
Pickling salt as "door opener" and the birth of "Almi"
Alfred Mittermayr receives the trade license for the production of curing salt. This allows him to expand his range with an important product that serves as a "door opener" for further products for many butchers. In the same year, the brand "Almi" - the initials of Alfred Mittermayr - is born.
The second generation: „When I had completed my apprenticeship, I was rarely at home anymore."
After his apprenticeship, Alfred Mittermayr takes over sales in Salzburg, Carinthia, Styria, Tyrol, and Vorarlberg. Fricki assists her mother with invoicing, accounting, and payroll. Heinz starts in 1953 as a commercial apprentice: “At 15, my father gave me a driver and said I should go to the Mühlviertel and see what I can sell.”
New Markets: “We had to be careful not to fall under 'soliciting' with it.”
After the withdrawal of the Allies, Almi gains numerous new customers in Vienna, Lower Austria, and Burgenland. Heinz Mittermayr, not yet 18 years old, delivers with a chauffeur and a fully loaded truck, which had to be well looked after.
Trade fair appearance in Wels: "There were no brochures yet, but promotional gifts like pencils and razors."
As a well-established brand, Almi has been represented with its own booth at the Welser Messe since 1965. Advertising initially does not play a major role, but promotional gifts and vehicle lettering are a must. One of the highlights of the trade fair is the visit of Chancellor Franz Vranitzky in 1992, who has the model butchery explained to him.
Move to Leonding: "He bought a trailer to stay warm. He was on the construction site every day, both summer and winter."
Due to strong growth, a new spacious facility is built in Leonding from 1970. Alfred Mittermayr senior - already over 60 at the time - takes on the construction supervision and by the end of 1972 the new location is completed. In 1977, Alfred Mittermayr hands over the business entirely to his two sons, Alfred and Heinz Mittermayr, in equal parts.
Expert advice and combination mixes: “The sausage maker is only human, after all. Sometimes he forgets this, and sometimes that.”
Almi strengthens its market position with competent customer advice and facilitates the work of butchers with ready-to-use combo mixtures.
The third generation: “I did everything that came up: loading cars, washing cars, sticking bags, mixing.”
The tradition of Almi as a family business continues with the involvement of Alfred and Heinz's children. Just like their fathers, Alexander, Alfred, and Christian are learning the business from the ground up.
Spice blends to South Africa: "Some of these businesses were, so to speak, right in the middle of the jungle."
With the company Spicetech as a trading partner, Almi supplies spices to South Africa. The business is developing well, and the sales area is expanding to the countries of Botswana, Zimbabwe, Malawi, and parts of Kenya.
Departure to the East: “Then we made a toast, of course with vodka.”
After the opening of Eastern Europe, the demand for Western know-how in meat and sausage processing is great. Almi takes advantage of this situation and conquers new markets: first the Czech Republic and Slovakia, then Poland and finally Russia. Experienced consultants and technologists like Josef Zukal are doing pioneering work on site.
The export successes make a further expansion of the production facility in Leonding indispensable.
On 5,000 m2, a four-story production building with state-of-the-art grinding, mixing, and filling technology, as well as a warehouse for raw materials, will be constructed.
Almi researches - Almi develops - Almi advises
To test the latest developments for user and practical suitability, the Almi Academy and the Almi Technical Center are being opened. Customers are welcomed and receive tailored seminars and consultations.
After the turn of the millennium, the focus is on the development of Eastern Europe and the expansion of exports to Asia and Western Europe.
The founding of Almi Romania and Almi Serbia-Montenegro in 2001 strengthens the position in Eastern Europe. In the following years, the subsidiaries are expanded to include Almi Hungary (2003) and Almi Bulgaria (2004).
The new headquarters of Almi in Oftering near Linz.
The construction of the headquarters in Oftering takes on impressive dimensions. The new building spans 19,500 m2 and includes, among other things, the company's headquarters with three floors, a warehouse, a two-story packaging facility, a cafeteria, and a dining hall. The investment amounts to a substantial 35 million euros.
Global expansion remains in focus.
Almi strengthens its presence in the CIS countries with the acquisition of distribution companies in Ukraine, Georgia, and Kazakhstan. In 2016 and 2017, Almi Russia and Almi Belarus are founded. In Europe, Almi is almost comprehensively present with its own subsidiaries, establishing Almi Czech Republic in 2014 and Almi Netherlands in 2018.
Global success drives growth forward.
Only five years after the construction of the Almi Headquarters in Oftering, an additional operational expansion of 10,000 m2 is required. In the same year, Almi opens up new opportunities in the African market through the majority acquisition of the South African company Spicetech. Additionally, in the same year, Almi Germany is founded.
Close to the consumer with high-quality nutritional supplements.
The company Natural Power, specializing in sports nutrition, expands the Almi Group and excites athletes and health-conscious individuals with products developed and produced in Oftering. Due to the exceptional achievements in the Austrian economy, Almi earns the distinction of the Austrian Coat of Arms.
Expansion in Asia.
The establishment of Almi China allows for a faster response to the Asian market and addresses country-specific needs. Individual customer requirements are also a priority with the opening of the technical center in Moscow.
Founding Innov8 and expanding the headquarters
To solve individual problems through innovative research and development, Innov8 was founded. Expansion of the Almi Headquarters by 3,600 m².
Successful integration of the traditional family business Italdroghe.
The strategic acquisition strengthens the position in the European market and enables not only a broader product range but also an additional production site for sustainable growth in the food industry. The products will continue to be sold under the Italdroghe brand. From 2021, the company will operate as a subsidiary under the name Almi Italia S.R.L.
Founding of Almi France SARL
With the establishment of Almi France SARL, even more attention can be paid to individual customer needs. The office is located in Schweighouse, near Strasbourg.
Close to the end consumer
Through the recent acquisition of the brand Auinger Almi expands its range and offers customers the optimal seasonings for a broad palette of flavours also in supermarkets.
Thanks to our global network, we are familiar with the challenges and trends in the respective markets. With our international locations and representatives worldwide, there is always a competent contact person near you. Our team of experts looks forward to hearing from you!
