History Anton Paar

Precision meets versatility:
for more than 100 years

Anton Paar then and now

A long-standing, family-run company from Graz with strong regional roots and a global network.

Early on, Ulrich Santner and later his son-in-law, Friedrich Santner, recognized the advantage of close cooperation with science and research. Product developments are thus created in close collaboration with universities and external research institutions, gradually transferring technology from research into industry.
The first expansion abroad took place in 1982 with the founding of Anton Paar Ltd., the company’s first sales subsidiary. In 1986, a subsidiary was established in the United States, laying the foundation for further international growth. Today, the Anton Paar Group is active in 110 countries worldwide.

2025

Friedrich Santner takes over as chairman of the executive board of the holding company, Anton Paar Group AG.

2022

Anton Paar celebrates its 100th anniversary.

2021

Anton Paar ConsumerTec GmbH is founded as a B2C provider of measurement technology.

2020

The management of Anton GmbH is expanded to include the sons of Friedrich Santner, Dominik and Jakob Santner.

2018

In March 2018, the group of companies established the Sudhaus, a two-toque evening restaurant with a show brewery on the Anton Paar company premises in Graz. Ulrich Santner is stepping down from the supervisory board.

2016

Anton Paar SportsTec GmbH is founded and offers analysis and training systems for professional and soccer sports.

2010

24 Asset Management GmbH is founded. From then on, the company buys, develops and rents out real estate in the greater Graz area.

2006

Anton Paar takes over MSB Morocutti and continues to run the company as Anton Paar ShapeTec GmbH. Anton Paar ShapeTec develops customized solutions in metal and joining technology.

2003

The non-profit Santner Private Foundation becomes the indirect owner of Anton Paar GmbH. The foundation uses its income to support charitable research in the natural sciences and technology, as well as addiction prevention and the rehabilitation of people with addictive disorders. The 500-employee mark is exceeded for the first time. Ulrich Santner is stepping down from the management board and now serves as chairman of the supervisory board.

1997

Friedrich Santner takes over the management of the company together with his father-in-law. He begins to build up direct sales worldwide and acquire complementary measurement technology companies.

1963

Ulrich Santner, son-in-law of Margareta Platzer, takes over the management of the company. With his innovative spirit, he laid the foundations for the company’s later expansion in the field of measurement technology. He intensified the exchange with universities and systematized the transfer of new technologies from research to industry.

1932

Margareta Platzer, Anton Paar’s daughter, becomes the first female master machinist in Styria. In the years that followed, she used her talent for precision mechanics and precision manufacturing together with Prof. Otto Kratky to develop and construct the Kratky small-angle X-ray camera.

1922

Master machinist Anton Paar founds the one-man locksmith’s shop of the same name in Graz.