Economic strength does not arise solely in the major centres

09/16/2026 | Economy & Infrastructure

Renate Kamleitner, Andrea Heindl — How much personal liability is reasonable, even towards one’s own family? KGG and consultant Renate Kamleitner (left) helped to reduce the risk for entrepreneur Andrea Heindl (right), as well as for the bank – thereby making the purchase of the new waterjet cutting machine viable. Photo: © www.kgg-ubg.at

Whether it is jobs, apprenticeships or regional value creation: small and medium-sized enterprises are a vital part of economic stability in rural areas. Yet it is precisely for these businesses that necessary investments can often prove a challenge. A new machine, a refurbishment or the modernisation of equipment can quickly add up to sums that cannot be financed from day-to-day operations alone.

Renate Kamleitner and Andrea Heindl in front of the machine — Photo: © www.kgg-ubg.at

This raises a difficult question for business owners: how much personal risk can they, and are they willing to, take on? After all, providing additional personal guarantees could also affect their family in the event of a crisis. At the same time, deciding not to make an investment could result in a business falling behind its competitors.

KGG and UBG, together with the financing banks, help to facilitate suitable financing solutions. Through guarantees from the KGG or equity investments by the UBG, the financial risk can be spread across several parties. This improves the financing base and can make projects possible that would otherwise be difficult to implement. This benefits not only the individual business, but also the entire region.

Staying competitive through innovation

The dessert manufacturer Heindl’s Genussstücke GmbH in Naarn demonstrates just how important investment can be for the future of a rural business. Entrepreneur Andrea Heindl transformed a traditional bakery with three branches into a specialised food manufacturer. Today, the company supplies the retail sector and the catering wholesale trade, amongst others.

To hold her own against large industrial suppliers, Heindl invested in an AI-controlled waterjet cutting machine. This enables cakes to be cut quickly, precisely and with minimal waste into a wide variety of shapes. For the business, it was the largest investment to date.

Securing the necessary loan with private collateral alone would have posed a high personal risk for the entrepreneur. She therefore brought KGG on board in collaboration with her main bank. A guarantee covers part of the credit risk, thereby facilitating the financing.

An investment with an impact beyond the business

What initially sounds like the financing of a machine has a wider regional dimension. The business can develop new products, remain competitive and secure jobs and apprenticeships.

#schongenial, because in this way KGG and UBG are helping to ensure that economic development can take place even outside the major centres.