Company chronicle

You may have been aware that we invented the aluminium roof tile. But it is perhaps news to you that we were also responsible for developing the precursor of the snow gun. Buckle up and off we go on a short journey through PREFA’s company history.

1946	Master metal worker, Alfred Gödl, develops the first aluminium roof tile in Salzburg.
1955	Production of aluminium roof tiles is taken over by Fried. v. Neuman, Marktl. The tiles are laid by installation teams throughout Austria.
1968	Start of gutter production.
1970	PREFA also showcases its spirit of innovation in areas other than roofs and façades. The Martkl snow slide, the forerunner of the snow gun, is launched on the market.
1975	PREFA manufactures the precursor of the famous “Big Foot” skis – Martkl snow glides made from anodised, hardened aluminium.
1976	Introduction of the two-layer stove enamel surface (in anthracite).
1980	Introduction of the SP 80 coating system (in anthracite, brown and dark green).
1981	Fried. v. Neuman is taken over by Dr. Cornelius Grupp.
1983	Start of production of shingles and sidings.
1985	Restructuring of the installation teams with laying outsourced to metal work companies.
1986	Founding of PREFA Aluminiumprodukte GmbH.
1991	Construction of the warehouse in Wasungen (Germany).
1998	“Opening of the production plant in Wasungen (Germany). Set up of PREFA Switzerland sales company. Start of production of rhomboid roof tiles.”
2001	New logo, new claim: “The roof as strong as a bull!”
2003/04	Set up of sales companies in the Czech Republic, Hungary and Poland.
2005	Founding of PREFA Academy.
2008	Market launch of PREFA Solar.
2010	Market launch of the P.10 surface.
2011/12	New offices and a new training centre built for PREFA Czech Republic in Prague.
2012/13	“Market launch of FX.12 roof and façade panels. Company buildings in Wasungen are extended with a new training centre.”
2016	PREFA celebrates 70 years since the invention of its roof tile by bringing the R.16 roof tile and rhomboid roof and façade tile 44 × 44 onto the market.
2018	The extension of the popular sidings - introduction of the Siding.X
2019	Introduction of the large format shingle DS.19 Drainage system with P.10 coating (in three colours: P.10 anthracite, P.10 light grey, P.10 brown)
2020	Introduction of the PREFABOND aluminium composite panel Introduction of three new wood look colours for PREFA sidings (walnut brown, grey oak, natural oak)
2021	Launch of the PREFARENZEN Journal & Online Magazine
2022	Introduction of the new large formats PREFA Siding 500 and Siding 600 Opening of the new PREFA logistics centre and finished goods warehouse in St. Georgen (Austria)

Aerial photo of PREFA’s Austrian production site in Marktl bei Lilienfeld

About us

Since 1946, our greatest passion has been the production of aluminium roof and façade systems. We took that passion to Germany in 1998.

Find out more

Map showing all European countries in which PREFA does business, with the two production sites in Austria and Germany in red

Facts and figures

Exciting facts and figures about the traditional company PREFA

Find out more

Questions and answers

Find extensive know-how about roofs here. We answer the most important questions about the world of PREFA.

Find answers

Company chronicle: The most important PREFA dates