Change of Managing Director at AfB Austria; Daniel Büchle takes over from founder Paul Cvilak.
After more than two decades, founder and long-time managing director Paul Cvilak is handing over the reins to Daniel Büchle, who will share responsibility with Gernot Hochfellner.
What began as a bold business idea more than 20 years ago is now one of the most important addresses for sustainable IT in Austria. With AfB, Paul Cvilak demonstrated early on how cost-effectiveness, environmental protection, and social responsibility can successfully go hand in hand. As a certified IT refurbisher, AfB professionally refurbishes used hardware and returns it to the recycling cycle, thus setting an important precedent for the ecological circular economy in IT.
Almost half of its more than 700 employees, including more than 50 in Austria, work in the primary labour market with a disability. A total of eleven colleagues with disabilities are employed at the Vienna and Klagenfurt locations.
“I would like to express my sincere gratitude to Paul, who has significantly shaped AfB as Founder and Managing Director. Without his daily dedication, his vision, and his commitment, AfB would not exist in this form,” said Gernot Hochfellner, Managing Director of AfB Austria, in recognition of his long-time companion.
Daniel Büchle is no stranger to taking over as CEO. He had already replaced Paul Cvilak as the German CEO at the beginning of 2024. He now forms the new dual leadership in Austria with Gernot Hochfellner. Büchle’s mission is clear: “I look to our shared future with great confidence and am convinced that AfB will harness the potential for sustainable and inclusive IT refurbishment in Austria.”
Gernot Hochfellner also looks to the future with confidence: “We have big plans and will continue to be successful as a team. AfB’s social and ecological focus is firmly anchored – our goal is to remain a model company for inclusion and the circular economy.”
AfB has had a presence in Austria since 2010 with its first branch outside of Germany. Cooperation between Austria and Germany has intensified in recent years and is now set to be expanded even further. “We want to improve processes across the board by breaking down national boundaries in people’s minds and defining clear responsibilities. Always with a focus on achieving the best possible result for our group, our partners, and our customers,” explained Daniel Büchle.
“Our partner companies can then return their devices to any branch and benefit from the same high standards of speed, quality, and cost,” added Gernot Hochfellner.
Even though Paul Cvilak is stepping down from the management team, he will remain closely connected to AfB as CEO of the holding company i500 gAG. In his farewell address, he turned his attention to the team: “I would like to thank all of my colleagues for your commitment and spirit. It has been a pleasure and an honour to build and support AfB in Austria together with you.”
