Miesbach continued to increase manufacturing capacity as the business grew, and by the time of his death in 1857 the company had nine factories, a clay plant, and multiple coal mines.

After World War One and the fall of the Austro-Hungarian Empire Wienerberger lost many of its foreign operations and rebuilt around its core Austrian businesses.

Starting with its purchase of Germany's Oltmanns-Gruppe company in 1986, Wienerberger expanded into other regions of Europe and entered the plastic pipe business.

The company continued to undertake numerous international acquisitions, including Baggeridge PLC in 2007, Semmelrock in 2010, and Tondach Gleinstätten and Keymer Tiles in 2014.

[5] In 2021 the company's American branch, General Shale, acquired Meridian Brick of Georgia, doubling revenues in the United States.

The competition features five categories, honoring projects that showcase the versatility of ceramic building materials in unique ways.