Strategic expansion of the Forum Media Group in Austria
The Forum Media Group lays the foundation for further growth. With the acquisition of WEKA Austria, the Bavarian-based media group is not only expanding its presence on the Austrian market, but also creating an important basis for future growth.
Suitable portfolio
Forum Media Group GmbH (FMG) now holds all shares in WEKA Austria (WEKA Business Solutions GmbH and WEKA Industrie Medien GmbH). WEKA Austria was part of the WEKA Group based in Kissing, Bavaria. The acquisition took place on August 1, 2025.
Ulrike Raich, who is taking over as Managing Director and is also General Manager of the existing Austrian subsidiary FVH Forum Verlag Herkert, emphasizes that the experienced local team will be retained, as will the familiar contacts for customers and business partners: “We see a growing need for trustworthy specialist information. By combining our expertise, we can meet this demand even better.”
WEKA Business Solutions GmbH is a specialist publisher and offers online services, software and other solutions in addition to traditional print products. Its portfolio also includes training courses in various formats. Its subject areas are law and taxes, public administration, human resources and management, occupational safety, fire protection, environment and operating facilities, construction and real estate as well as data protection and IT.
WEKA Industrie Medien GmbH distributes various trade journals, provides online services and digital media and offers services in the areas of media design, video production and the organization of congresses, conferences and seminars. Subject areas are automotive, construction and building technology as well as industry and production. Beatrice Schmidt remains General Manager of the company. “The integration into the Forum Media Group strengthens our position in the market and opens up new opportunities for us to successfully implement digital innovations, tap into new customer groups and further develop our media company’s offering in a targeted manner,” she says. “Both companies offer first-class specialist information, training opportunities and modern, digital solutions. They are an excellent addition to our portfolio and will expand our existing offers in Austria in a useful way. We look forward to leveraging synergies and shaping the future together,” says Katrin Krauß-Herkert, CFO of the Forum Media Group.
Title image: Kick-off meeting on August 1 in Vienna (from left to right): Martin Steinhauser, authorized signatory and Commercial Director of the Austrian WEKA companies, Ulrike Raich, new General Manager of WEKA Business Solutions, Jochen Hortschansky, previous General Manager, Katrin Krauß-Herkert, General Manager of Forum Media Group, and Beatrice Schmidt, General Manager of WEKA Industrie Medien.