Vienna, October 15, 2025 – Austria’s Cartel Court has imposed a €130,000 (approximately $151,511.7) fine on Pusiol GmbH following a request from the Federal Competition Authority (BWB), finding that the construction company participated in a long-running cartel in the construction sector across Austria.
According to the BWB, Pusiol engaged between July 2002 and August 2016 in price coordination, market allocation, and exchange of sensitive information with competitors on public and private tenders in Lower Austria, primarily in the civil engineering sector.
These practices formed part of a wider, nationwide cartel in the construction industry, covering both roadbuilding and structural engineering projects, and aimed at minimizing competition and securing contracts through mutual bid manipulation.
The arrangements involved agreeing on tender winners, coordinated pricing, and submission of cover bids, with some companies refraining entirely from bidding on certain projects. The overarching purpose was to maintain market shares and capacity utilization while eliminating competitive uncertainty.
Cooperation and Fine Reduction
While not a leniency applicant, Pusiol cooperated extensively with the BWB to clarify the facts and submitted a comprehensive acknowledgment of its involvement before the Cartel Court. Taking into account the company’s limited role, small size, and financial capacity, the BWB proposed a reduced fine, which the court accepted.
The fine is part of the BWB’s broader investigation into collusion in the Austrian construction industry, one of the country’s largest competition cases. The BWB confirmed that many proceedings have already been concluded, while others remain under investigation.
