THE STORY OF IFN - 91 YEARS OF EXPERIENCE

The origins of IFN can be traced back to the building and construction locksmith’s shop, Klinger, founded in 1931. The IFN group (Internationales Fensternetzwerk or International Window Network), which is 100% under family ownership, unites the expertise, the power of innovation, and the flexibility of several companies.

Interlinking strong companies from the window, doors, façades and sun protection sectors into one future-proof group, “building façades”, ensures our sustainable growth.

Today, the IFN Group is represented by the Internorm, TOPIC, GIG, HSF, Schlotterer, Kastrup, Skaala, Skanva and Neuffer brands in over 33 countries.

Eduard klinger sen.
scale up

1. Generation

Eduard Klinger sen.
2. Generation IFN
scale up

2. Generation


v.l.: Helmut Klinger,
Eleonore Kubinger,
Eduard Klinger jun.
3. Generation IFN
scale up

3. Generation


v.l.: Mag. Christian Klinger BSc,
Mag. Anette Klinger,
DI(FH) Stephan Kubinger, MBA
1931
1931 Foundation
scale up
Foundation
Eduard Klinger Senior establishes the Klinger building and construction foundry in Linz, Upper Austria, and lays the foundations for the company.
1966
1966 - First UPVC windows production in Austria
scale up
First UPVC windows production in Austria
A separate plant for producing UPVC windows is set up in Traun.
1966 - The Internorm brand
scale up
The Internorm brand
Birth of the Internorm brand. The market launch of the Internorm brand on the E. KLINGER exhibition stand.
1967
1967 - The second generation
scale up
The second generation
Eduard Klinger Sr. gives each of his three children, Eleonore, Eduard and Helmut 25% shares in the company.
1977
1977 - Acquisition of Sarleinsbach plant
scale up
Acquisition of Sarleinsbach plant
Rapid growth makes a third site necessary: Internorm acquires a local window manu-facturer in Sarleinsbach, Upper Austria, and converts the site into a modern PVC window factory.
1979
1979 - Start Extrusion
scale up
Start of extrusion
The company’s very own extrusion plant is put into operation in Sarleinsbach. Its aim is to promote independent innovations in window systems, independent of profile suppliers.
1982
1982 - Werk Lannach
scale up
LANNACH PLANT
A PVC window factory is set up at the Lannach site in Styria. The first Internorm wooden windows are produced in this factory in 1988. Today, the factory specialises in wood/aluminium products.
1983-89
1983 - An export offensive
scale up
An export offensive
Internorm begins exporting to Germany, Italy and Switzerland.
1984
1984 -  MANUFACTURE OF INSULATING GLASS STARTS
scale up
MANUFACTURE OF INSULATING GLASS STARTS
Internorm sets up its first private insula-ting glass production facility in Traun
1991
1991 -SALES CONVERSION  
TO SPECIALISED TRADE
scale up
SALES CONVERSION TO SPECIALISED TRADE
Direct sales are discontinued: Internorm products are only available through qualified specialist dealers – which is unique in the industry.
1994
1994 -Lead-free formulation
scale up
Lead-free formulation
Internorm is the first manufacturer in Europe to develop a lead-free PVC formulation that makes PVC windows more environmentally friendly.
1997
scale up
The third generation

he second generation retires from the operating business to the Supervisory Board and each sends one of their children – Anette Klinger, Christian Klinger and Stephan Kubinger – to the Executive Board.

WOOD/ALUMINIUM WINDOW PRODUCTION BEGINS

Internorm develops a brand-new type of wood/aluminium window system, meeting customers’ need for mainte-nance-free ‘wooden windows’.

2002
2002 - FOUNDATION OF IFN
FOUNDATION OF IFN

Foundation of the International Window Network. In addition to Internorm, independent, specialised companies are being set up with the aim of jointly developing all-round solutions.

2003
2003 - INVESTMENT IN TOPIC
scale up
INVESTMENT IN TOPIC
Topic, the front doors specialist, founded in 1976
2003 - INVESTMENT IN GIG
scale up
INVESTMENT IN GIG
GIG, the façades specialist, founded in 1945
2005
2005 - ACQUISITION OF HSF S.R.O., MALACKY, SLOVAKIA
scale up
ACQUISITION OF HSF S.R.O., MALACKY, SLOVAKIA
HSF, founded in 1994
2007
2007 - Investment in Schlotterer Sonnenschutz-systeme GmbH
scale up
Investment in Schlotterer
Sonnenschutz-systeme GmbH
2015
scale up
INVESTMENT IN KASTRUP

Kastrup, a Danish windows and doors manufacturerr

SCHLOTTERER INVESTS IN THE START-UP BLINOS

The first external solar shading for tenants that can be installed without causing damage.

2018
ACQUISITION OF SKAALA
A Finnish windows and doors manufacturer
2018 - ACQUISITION OF SKAALA
scale up
 
2020
ACQUISITION OF SKANVA
A leading online supplier of windows and doors in Northern Europe
2018 - ACQUISITION OF SKANVA
scale up
 
2021
START OF THE LARGEST INVESTMENT PACKAGE..
in IFN’s history to expand Internorm, HSF, Topic and Schlotterer. Ground-brea-king ceremony for the expansion at Sarleinsbach
2022
participation NEUFFER
A leading online supplier of windows and doors in Europe
2022 - Participation Neuffer
scale up