Red Bull boss Didi Mateschitz got through the crisis economically with his beverage company, but personally he is not doing so well.
While Austria is preparing for the third lockdown, the machinery at beverage company Red Bull continues. Chef Didi Mateschitz explains how things are going with the beverage manufacturer and how things are currently going privately.
In the previous year, Red Bull generated almost 7.5 billion euros worldwide, despite the global corona pandemic, the energy drink continues to be a best seller, and there are no major losses to be feared in the new annual report. The group from Fuschl am See got through the first Corona year 2020 almost without any damage.
At Laola 1, Didi Mateschitz gives an insight: “We got through this year with the company in a controlled manner and without any real damage. The production, the logistics, the raw material delivery, the distribution, everything stayed the same. There was no difference in demand to the last few years. So it fits economically.
Anyone who works at Red Bull never had to fear short-time work or wage cuts: “We never had anything like that. In the catering industry, in my private companies, there was also none,” explains the 76-year-old. With his soccer club Red Bull Salzburg, he also completely waived the government's corona funding – Rapid, on the other hand, received the biggest chunk of aid with two million (of 4.7 million in total for all sports clubs).
With private assets of just over 22 billion euros (according to the current Forbes list), one should believe that the red-white-red parade entrepreneur has a permanent grin on his face.
But: “My private sensitivities? Please don't ask me! I don't know, should I laugh or cry, it is sometimes unbearable. You don't have to understand everything anymore …”
Corona spared Red Bull economically, but the big boss has to nibble on it personally.
