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The best-in-class distribution and marketing organization
for premium beverage brands in Austria

JOHANN emerged from the renowned KATTUS-BORCO joint venture and has been the premier address for the distribution and marketing of premium beverage brands in Austria since summer 2024. Our roots stretch back over 165 years and are based on the passion and innovative spirit of our founder and namesake, Johann Kattus.

INNOVATION

Our Mission

At JOHANN, we strive for excellence in all aspects of our business. Our goal is to promote the best premium beverage brands through innovative marketing strategies. Our over 165 years of experience and our continuous spirit of innovation make us a reliable partner for brand owners, customers, and consumers alike.

FOUNDING

Our story

In 1857, Johann Kattus founded a grocery store at Hof 8 in Vienna, where he sold wine, coffee, tea, tropical fruits, spirits, and champagne. With his vision, innovative spirit, and unwavering perseverance, he created an organization that is still internationally recognized today. JOHANN honors this legacy and carries it forward with pride and dedication.
HISTORY

Johann Kattus
 The patron saint of JOHANN

Johann Kattus is the namesake of the newly established marketing company. His entrepreneurial spirit and personal values ​​serve as inspiration for JOHANN, bridging the gap between the company’s history and its forward-looking vision.

“My great-great-grandfather, Johann Kattus, was a pioneer and visionary of his time as an importer of premium products since 1857. Passion, innovation, risk-taking, perseverance, and integrity: the core values ​​he exemplified as the company founder are the framework with which JOHANN will grow and continuously develop in the future,” explains Johannes Kattus, 5th generation.

A pioneer of his time

1857
Johann Kattus was born in Eggenburg, Lower Austria, in 1823 and began his career as a traveling salesman for two successful wine merchants. In 1857, he ventured into self-employment and opened his own grocery store in the building that now houses the private members' club "AM HOF 8." There, he specialized in the distribution of wine, coffee, tea, tropical fruits, spirits, and champagne.

A global entrepreneur

1870

On one of his many trips abroad, Johann Kattus founded a caviar factory in Astrakhan on the Caspian Sea in 1870. With an impressive annual production of 200 tons, he supplied not only the Imperial Court in Vienna, but also the Tsar's Palace in St. Petersburg, German royal courts, and American hotels. This period marked the beginning of long-term business relationships, such as the one with the Luxardo family, that continue to this day.

Recognition and legacy

1898
In 1898, Johann Kattus was appointed Purveyor to the Imperial and Royal Court, an honor that underscored his outstanding achievements and his contribution to Austrian cuisine.

JOHANN – A family business with tradition and vision

Today

JOHANN is proud to be a Kattus family company. With deep roots in tradition and a clear vision for the future, JOHANN combines 165 years of experience with innovative approaches to act as a leading distribution and marketing partner for premium beverage brands.

TEAM

Our LeadershipTeam at JOHANN

Karl Wurm
Managing Director & Head of Marketing

The management of JOHANN is in the experienced hands of Karl Wurm. He brings extensive international management experience, most recently at Beam Suntory, where he served as Managing Director for E-Commerce in the EMEA (Europe, Middle East, Africa) and South America markets. His expertise in business transformation will contribute significantly to positioning JOHANN as a best-in-class distribution and marketing organization.
Structure and focus

JOHANN will be organized into four Channel Competence Centers: Off-Trade, Premium On-Trade, Mainstream On-Trade and E-Commerce. This structure enables us to market our high-caliber brand portfolio in a targeted and differentiated manner and to implement the growth strategies of the various brand owners sustainably and effectively.

Carmen Hosa
Head of Sales

Carmen Hosa is responsible for sales as Head of Sales. With ten years of experience in the FMCG sector, most recently as Commercial Manager Austria & Switzerland at Beam Suntory, she brings extensive knowledge and valuable input to our sales strategy.

Thomas Hochhaltinger
Head of Finance & Operations

Thomas Hochhaltinger is Head of Finance & Operations. With eleven years of experience in the manufacturing industry, including a role as Managing Director at Mayr-Melnhof, he brings in-depth financial and operational knowledge essential for efficient and future-oriented business management.
WHAT WE DO

JOHANNYour first address for successful beverage marketing

At JOHANN, we see ourselves as the leading distribution and marketing organization for national and international premium beverage brands. Our mission is to provide brand owners, retail partners, and the fine dining and hotel industry with outstanding solutions tailored to the ever-changing needs of the market.

Our expertise

Premium beverages in focus: JOHANN positions itself as the first choice for the marketing and distribution of premium beverage brands. Our broad brand portfolio is particularly strong in Vienna and its tourist hotspots, where we impress with our many years of experience and deep market understanding.
Integrated marketing strategies: We use tailored marketing strategies to optimize brand placement in target markets. Through our international trend scouting and our expertise in e-commerce and digital marketing, we take marketing to a new level and create innovative brand experiences.

Our strategy

Efficient processes and transparency: We develop efficient processes for dialogue with brand owners and rely on digitalization and automation to maximize transparency and efficiency.
Competence centers for integrated communication: JOHANN is building its own competence centers for digital marketing, social media, trade marketing, and event management. These specialized areas enable us to offer fully integrated communication solutions, ensuring a consistent brand message across all channels.

Contact

+43 1 3684350

office@johann1857.com

Billrothstraße 51, 1190 Vienna

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