Ardo Austria Frost GmbH intends to close its production and packing plant in Groß-Enzersdorf in 2027
Groß-Enzersdorf, 24.09.2026.
Ardo is an internationally growing family business specializing in frozen vegetables, herbs, and fruit with 16 production, packaging, and distribution sites in Europe.
In the light of the strategic review of Ardo’s operational footprint, the role of Ardo Austria Frost GmbH was also reviewed. Based on a thorough analysis of investment requirements, cost situation and market potential, Ardo intends to close its plant in Groß-Enzersdorf. Although Ardo has invested millions in recent years in new production lines, the plant is aged and would need significant investment in production, packing, warehousing, and utilities. Given the distance to the Western European market and the limited cost competitiveness versus Central European countries, the Austrian production facility can only be justified for the domestic market. Required capital expenditure will be substantial, which is a too big investment for a small relatively domestic market.
Social plan for affected employees
It is expected that this step will affect approx. 190 Ardo employees and 50 temporary workers employed at Ardo Austria Frost GmbH, except employees from sales and sales backoffice, who intentionally will be working from a new and to be defined location close by Vienna.
Christian Karwen, Site Director at Ardo Austria Frost GmbH: “We are well aware of our responsibility towards our employees and contracting partners like regional farmers and local suppliers and have therefore decided to actively inform them about this difficult decision well in advance. It is important to us that we work out a social plan for the approximately 190 Ardo employees affected in the coming period together with the works council that takes social criteria into account and supports the intended phase out of activities here in Austria.”
When implementing the planned closing, Ardo Austria Frost GmbH will presumably continue business as usual in Groß-Enzersdorf until December 2026 in production of vegetables. From August 2027 onwards it is our intention to concentrate our focus on sales in Austria with vegetables supplied from other Ardo plants.
Going forward, Ardo Austria Frost GmbH will then focus on local sales and sales backoffice in Austria from a new location close to Vienna and serve customers with supply from other EU plants.
ABOUT ARDO GROUP:
Ardo is an international family-owned company and a market leader of fresh frozen vegetables, herbs and fruit. Our assortment also includes pasta, pulses, rice, potato products and vegetable snacks. With 16 production, packaging and distribution sites in 7 countries and more than 3,200 employees, we supply nearly 1 million tons of products annually to retail, food service and the food industry, generating a consolidated turnover of €1.3 billion.