2020
World Champion Austria 2020
€ 27,50
WORLD CHAMPION AUSTRIA – yearbook
yearbook
austriatourism.com
A QUESTION OF PERSPECTIVE?
FOCUS VISION #focus #vision #recipeforsuccess You can only spot new opportunities if you see the big picture. That’s our recipe for success. simmoag.at
EXPORTE? EXPERTE! » AUSSENWIRTSCHAFT SERVICEPAKET »
Export-Importberatung: Sie planen Geschäfte über Österreichs Grenzen hinaus? Egal ob Sie neue Exportmärkte erschließen oder neue Produkte einführen wollen, das WKO Servicepaket hat Antworten auf Ihre Fragen.
W wko.at/wien/aussenwirtschaft T +43 1 514 50-1010
World Champion Austria
_6
Editorial
Made in Austria – that’s the motto of a small country’s big adventure: Showing the world what we are able to achieve; that we might be small in area but are big in performance. We start new trade relations, strengthen the existing ones, sell the results of Austrian proficiency and Austrian industriousness in all corners of the world – in short, we export. Austria has all the prerequisites to prevail in this big adventure: A long tradition in dealing with other cultures, the technological and industrial experience of many generations, an excellent school and education system, highly intelligent staff that is good at improvising, hard-working, vigorous, proactive and dynamic entrepreneurs. This is Austria’s future: A neutral country without any claims to power that wants to produce and export better and better goods even to less developed economic areas with its economic output, with its knowledge and its experience of past generations and with the enthusiasm and pioneering spirit of its young generation. This is a task that needs the help of every Austrian. The economy is not only an abstract game of numbers, it is life in its most concentrated form. Export is a vital task for us Austrians, it is a pillar of constant further development, it is necessary to safeguard hundreds of thousands of jobs. And we should not forget the “invisible export”: the hundreds of thousands of tourists that come to Austria and buy Austrian goods. They become ambassadors of Austrian workmanship in their home countries. The three paragraphs above come from the booklet “Export - The big Adventure”, issued by the Ministry of Education in 1962 (!). Not much has changed over the last 57 years in terms of the challenges for the “World Champion Austria”, as the latest facts and figures show: “Austrian export trade has proved its strength with solid growth,” said Elisabeth Udolf-Strobl, Federal Minister for Digitisation and the Business Location, on 10 September 2019 about the export figures for the first half of the year. “The Austrian merchandise trade went up once more with 3.3 percent more exports and 2.8 percent more imports compared to the same period of the previous year.” In June 2019, exports were higher than imports for the first time in three years (i.e. the trade deficit went down considerably) and the entire trade volume reached a record level of 157 billion euros. “In the face of global insecurities and a slowdown of the economy in traditionally important sales markets, international added value chains have become more and more important for businesses,” the Minister said. “Austria remains stable and resilient. The diversification of our exports is our strength and makes our companies less dependent on developments in individual markets.” By the way, with a share of 40.4 percent, machinery and vehicles are still the top export ranked by product group. Six out of ten euros of the GDP are generated through foreign trade, every second job depends directly or indirectly on the export business. The numerous world market leaders in various sectors and the many “hidden champions” who are sometimes even European or world champions in their niche markets are largely responsible for the Austrian export successes. They are joined by highly innovative start-ups and excellent “born global champions”. This book explains their ideas and their achievements.
We thank all our partners and hope you enjoy reading this book!
Foto: Joe Haider
Dear Readers,
Paul Christian Jezek Editor-in-Chief
Rehabilitation Clinic Dussnang, Switzerland
District Hospital Begoro, Ghana
Wu’An Country People’s Hospital Hebei, China
VAMED offers a complete project and service portfolio for health care as a developer, planner, contractor and operator. VAMED has already successfully implemented more than 900 projects for hospitals, rehabilitation centers, nursing homes, health resorts and thermal spas in 88 countries worldwide.
World Champion Austria
_8
Table of content
At a glance 12 Austria’s hidden champions are keeping it in the family
54 Location advocate for jobs and added value
A value-oriented corporate culture decides a company’s fate – particularly in Austria.
As of 1 July 2019, Vienna has a location advocate, established by federal law.
56 A hub for all of Europe and beyond 22 Vital factor of success: research and development
Austrian companies increased their research and development expenditure significantly.
Vienna Airport is appreciated globally as a Central European airport with more than 200 destinations.
59 Huge success for Legitary 24 World markets leaders in and from Austria
From Burgenland right through to Vorarlberg: Globally leading products and processes, as far as the eye can see!
A spin-off from the Vienna University of Technology won the world’s most important competition for music start-ups.
60 Austria’s capital city is a top business location 30 Exemplary export results
Austria’s businesses are doing extremely well in the United States in the face of adversity.
Innovative offers around business settlements, subsidies and digital building application.
62 Flexible production and digital production networks 34 Robotic sensor skins and quantum computers
The renowned Houska Prize awards particularly innovative research projects.
The Viennese Center for Digital Production (CDP) is flying high two years after its establishment.
65 Industry 4.0 for the future 36 The indispensable 7-billion-business
The telecommunications sector is of major significance for the business location Austria. Now, 5G is coming!
The Austrian industrial sector focuses on digitisation. More and more new technologies are used in production.
66 Safety and quality: Factors of success across borders 38 Country of forests, country of timber
Austria’s timber sector has been benefitting domestically and abroad from a dynamic upswing in construction.
TÜV Austria Group supports the healthy growth of companies in Austria and beyond.
68 Wienerberger celebrates its 200-year-anniversary 40 Faster, higher and longer – and good for the GDP
Sports as an economic factor is much more important than most people would probably think.
72 Simacek adds value with digitisation
42 Experts from all over the world are coming
The meeting industry organises more than 21,000 events per year – and the numbers keep on rising.
Carinthia and Styria are still the growth leaders in the ranking of the gross regional product.
Digitisation in facility management has great potential, increases customer satisfaction and relieves the environment.
74 Frux takes off
48 The provinces keep stepping it up
An exclusive interview with CEO Heimo Scheuch
The company is ready for expansion with renowned clients and marketable standard products.
76 Aspöck shines with innovative lighting systems
Individual lighting solutions for vehicles around the globe
51 One billion for Klagenfurt
The new Aviation City Klagenfurt with a logistics centre, technology park, hotel etc will see the creation of 5,400 jobs.
80 Global success with natural cellulose fibres
Lenzing is increasingly acknowledged as a consumer brand.
52 Capital grounds for industrial operations
The Federation of Austrian Industries considers Vienna’s positioning and cooperation significant factors for success.
83 The experts in moulding are operating globally
Electromobility drives innovation and growth at Engel.
24/7/365
Head free for the daily challenges.
T. +43 1 21166-0 www.simacek.com
Your Real Estate Management Expert
_10
World Champion Austria Table of content
86 Innovative heat pumps save the climate
94 In safe hands with Pörner
Ecop Technologies Gmbh has developed a special heat pump for industrial use.
The company from Gablitz installs the latest access control systems, fire alarms and other safety systems.
88 The world champion in extrusion
96 Cosmic ambitions
The internationally highly successful extrusion lines manufacturer SML has built new headquarters in Redlham.
Austria’s largest space company: RUAG Space Austria
96 The Austrian champions of digitisation 89 Made in Regau for China
One-A Engineering from Regau is building a lyocell factory with an annual production of 100,000 tonnes in China.
Outstanding digital products, services & applications
102 Smart cities, intelligent (e-)mobility and much more
The Austrian Ministry for Transport, Innovation and Technology (BMVIT) is home to research.
90 Export success, tribology and strong adhesives
Lower Austria withstands international competition.
116 Major stocks on the Vienna Stock Exchange 93 Delta Bloc supplies lightweight steels
Listed companies at a glance: From Agrana Holding to Zumtobel
Foto: FACC
Technology leadership in vehicle restraint systems
Foto: AMAG
Imprint PUBLISHER Germanos Athanasiadis EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Paul Christian Jezek PROJECT DIRECTOR Erich Danneberg, MAS GRAPHIC CONCEPT Grafik medianet WRITERS Anna Habenbacher, Prof. Dr. Georg Jungwirth, MBA, Helga Krémer PICTURES s ee embedded picture credits; Cover: © Alpla, AVL List, Doka, Faistauer Photography, Hotel Larimar, Luftbildprofis (2), Wienerberger and Wintersteiger TRANSLATORS Jörg Michner, Kathryn Michner MEDIA OWNER MN Anzeigenservice GmbH, 1110 Vienna, Brehmstraße 10/OG 4, Tel. +43/1/919 20-0, Fax +43/1/298 20-2231, www.medianet.at ADVERTISMENTS Mag. Thomas Parger, Michael Stein ADVERTORIALS Paul Christian Jezek, Helga Krémer MARKETING & SALES Alexandra Otto PRINTER Druckerei Bösmüller Gesellschaft mbH, Josef-Sandhofer-Straße 3, 2000 Stockerau, Österreich ISBN 978-3-903254-19-0 SALES PRICE 27,50 euros SALES Medienlogistik Pichler-ÖBZ GmbH & Co KG, IZ NÖ Süd, Straße 1, Objekt 34, 2355 Wiener Neudorf MAIL ORDER HOTLINE www.medianet.at oder Tel.: +43/1/919 20-2115 oder Fax: +43/1/298 20-2231 COPYRIGHT © 2019 by MN Anzeigenservice GmbH. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed or transmitted in any form or by any means, including translating, photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods, without the prior written permission of the publisher.
www.iv.at
EurÜpäisch Industrie 4.0 Wir bringen Europa weiter.
World Champion Austria Hidden champions
Hidden champions are keeping it in the family In times of increasing competition, non-monetary resources are becoming more and more important in order to remain successful in the long run. In future, a value-oriented corporate culture will decide a company’s success. B y A N N A H A B E N B A C H E R , G E O R G J U N G W I RT H a n d PA U L C H R I S T I A N J E Z E K
I
n the mid-1980s, marketing professor and renowned business consultant Hermann Simon published the term “hidden champions” or “secret winners”, respectively. They signify small and medium-sized enterprises that managed to become European or even world market leaders without anybody really noticing despite their international success. Researchers began to look at hidden champions in the entire German-speaking world in follow-up studies. Austria’s companies were mentioned only sparingly in this research, which in turn resulted in the FH Campus 2 putting its research focus on the phenomenon that is the Austrian hidden champions. In 2008, the first study of 128 Austrian secret winners was conducted. Since then, various aspects of their success stories were researched, for example their distinctiveness in human resources, product policy and their factors of success. The results are published continuously in the yearbook on the business location “World Champion Austria”, among others. Austria is currently home to 194 hidden champions, which are small and medium-sized businesses with a maximum annual turnover of 300 million euros and a top three spot among the world market leaders or European market leaders in their sector. The majority of companies are family-run since their establishment. While non-family-run businesses are mostly profit-oriented, family businesses have additionally a strong social responsibility and the desire to survive across generations. At the same time, they reflect the culture and the value of the entrepreneurial family. Independently from the entrepreneurial family, the significance of value systems is generally increasing: The practised values offer a decisive distinguishing feature from the company’s competitors, which can affect the sustainable development of the company’s value positively.
As companies are confronted with an increasing pressure to change by their macro-environment, a value system can offer stability, security and orientation. New technological developments, the increasing globalisation and ecological changes are major challenges for companies; a sound value system offers the necessary support to overcome these challenges. How do values and success correlate? In addition to the classic economic targets, companies are increasingly measured by “soft factors” such as their practised values. It is no longer enough to focus solely on monetary figures – companies that value values are successful in the long run. Today, a company can only be successful in the long run if it manages to define values based on meaningful achievements. They, in turn, will positively affect the company’s success both in the short term and in the long run. Experts believe that in future corporate success will be based exclusively on a “foundation of values”, which brings meaningful and value-oriented management to the fore. The value system also influences the leadership of employees: In times of skills shortages, it is increasingly important to create a staff-oriented basis for leadership with the help of a value system in order to remain an appealing employer. If a company manages to create a motivating working environment through the active implementation of corporate values, fluctuation will decrease while corporate success increases at the same time, being generated by the achievements of long-standing, motivated and experienced staff. Value systems also play a significant role when dealing with stakeholders. On the market, a company deals with customers as well as other businesses and cooperation partners. Both relation-
Picture: Rosendahl Nextrom
12_13
Rosendahl Nextrom GmbH is part of the internationally successful Knill Group, a more than 300-year old family business from Weiz in Styria.
ships demand stable values such as reliability, honesty and loyalty. Long-term relationships with cooperation partners lead to advantages in transactions and positive effects in experience and economies of scale. In addition, long-term customer relationships generate greater success as customers become less price-sensitive, they recruit new customers and buy more at the same time. All this is based on a stable value system that convinces stakeholders to maintain long-term relationships with the company. Successful companies are also particularly resistant to crises. In times of economic uncertainties, values ensure orientation, security and stability, though the value system mainly helps to prevent crises. No matter whether the company has to deal with an internal conflict or a macroeconomic change, values serve as a stabilising factor and reduce the effects of a potential crisis, which often goes hand in hand with economic losses. A study by the international strategy and technology consultant Booz Allen Hamilton and the Aspen Institute shows a correlation between a value system and above-average financial success. So-called financial leaders, as the financially most-successful companies were called in the study, link their values more intensively to their operative business. Values such as responsibility, flexibility and honesty are more pronounced among financial leaders and are used to guide staff on the one hand and to gain a competitive edge on the other hand. This approach leads to an increased financial success in the long-term, which underlines the significance of a sound value system once more.
The 4 most important factors for consistent value management Four pillars need to be coordinated for the strategic level of value management: Corporate identity, corporate knowledge, corporate development and corporate values. They make up the four dimensions of the C4 value matrix.
11 factors of success for world market leaders 1) A significant competitive edge and high quality – find your niche 2) Long-term thinking without leaving short- and medium-term goals aside 3) Innovative power and creativity 4) Constant development and flexibility 5) Networking and stakeholder management 6) Turning a brand into a world market brand 7) At the top: a target-oriented visionary 8) Inner strength: highly motivated and best-skilled staff 9) Being brave but don’t start to run before you can walk 10) Being trustworthy 11) Being able to deal with setbacks and learn from mistakes No particular order; Source: UBIT/WKW/Karmasin
World Champion Austria
Pictures: Grassmayr (2)
Hidden champions
The bell foundry Grassmayr from Innsbruck has been making bells and works of art from bronze since 1599.
1) Corporate identity can be considered synonymous with the “personality” of a company. It expresses what a company stands for, how it deals with stakeholders, how it devises its product policy and how it creates utility. The corporate identity encompasses everything that sets the company apart from its competitors.
The 16 companies that were surveyed turnover staff mln. € Pro-Ject Audio Systems GmbH 42 20 Ovotherm International Handels GmbH 300 30 Johann Offner Werkzeugindustrie GmbH 120 21 Doma Solartechnik GmbH 30 5 Dorner Electronic GmbH 100 11 Elk-Fertighaus GmbH 1200 150 Grassmayr Glockengießerei GmbH 25 3 Haidlmair GmbH 300 50 Rosendahl Nextrom GmbH 300 140 Redwell Manufaktur GmbH 25 15 SANO Transportgeräte GmbH 58 8 Sattler AG 678 126 Biotop Landschaftsgestaltung GmbH 30 5 Baur GmbH 180 25 MAI International GmbH 32 6 MK Illumination Handels GmbH 400 100
2) Corporate knowledge is shaped by the way a company acts internally and externally. It is the sum of the staff’s own values and systemic common values. They control the development of corporate know-how. 3) Corporate development expresses how a company creates utility and how this can help the company to develop. In other words, corporate development deals with the orientation, control and change of companies. 4) The dimension of corporate values is represented by the value system, which gives a company its character. Therefore, these values can also be called a company’s DNA. They are the foundation of corporate success, innovative capacity and resilience. The term “C4 management” denotes the use of C4 matrix in order to balance and fine-tune the four value dimensions to one another. The main task is to fine-tune the value dimensions with regard to their balance and utility creation. In order to facilitate successful value management, the C4 management is a fundamental prerequisite for senior management. How to use the controls Another significant instrument for an efficient value control is the “value cockpit”. This term stems from the association with an aeroplane’s cockpit, where the pilot has all the relevant information and controls in one compact place. On the one hand, the value cockpit serves as a measuring instrument that transfers the practised values into a framework of reference, and on the other hand as a control instrument for the
Picture: Redwell
14_15
Redwell Manufaktur GmbH, a classic family business
sustainable orientation of the corporate activities. Expert Friedrich Glauner defines the value cockpit as “a control tool that interlocks the process level of the added value, the corporate culture and the corporate organisation from the perspective of corporate added value.” The value cockpit allows for fine-tuning the values of a company in all operative and strategic processes through the transparent implementation of measuring and control systems. Since value-oriented management aims to consistently align the value system, the value cockpit offers the opportunity to make these values measurable, to link them with specific fulfilment conditions and to adjust them to the reference framework of obligatory values. The value cockpit also controls the corporate culture by aligning the C4 dimensions and ensures that the “value DNA” corresponds to the defined corporate targets. Companies can use “their” individual value cockpit as a measuring instrument to transfer their corporate culture into a reference framework while making the level of fulfilment of the defined values measurable and transparent. Glauner considers the value cockpit the crucial instrument for companies to guarantee a sustainable and outstanding corporate performance. The value system of family businesses The distinctiveness of family businesses is the conjuncture of two different areas of society. The family as an emotional, social entity meets the rational, economic point of view of a company. In addition, there are the moral concepts of the entrepreneurial family, which can shape the family business distinctively across generations. Furthermore, family businesses have intrinsic fami-
ly values that may pose yet another distinction from non-family businesses. In a family business, different social systems come together. The entrepreneurial family and the company cannot be regarded separately from one another; to the contrary, there is a reciprocal interdependency of the company and the family behind it. They create each other’s identity and represent a mutual source of security. Entrepreneurial families always try to realise their own interests and goals through the business activity of the family business. There is no clear line between the two social systems. Therefore, they share not only their interests and goals but also their value systems. Entrepreneurial families transfer both consciously and subconsciously their preferred value system onto the company due to the close link they have with each other. Entrepreneurial families are role models; staff look up to them and adjust their personal behaviour accordingly. If a family embodies a certain value system, it will be transferred onto the company by the staff, which imitates the family. Even if the family does not carry out any operational activities, their moral concepts can be felt also on this level as the values will be transferred onto the entire company through the top-down principle. The close link between the two value systems is considered a significant competitive edge of family businesses over non-fa-
An example: The Johann Offner Group The hammer and iron mill in Wolfsberg auf der Schwemm tratten dates back to the Middle Ages and was first mentioned in the records in 1600. The company has been owned by the Offner family since 1755 and passed on from father to son. Today, it is run by the eighth generation. Originally, the hammer and iron mill produced steel, later nails and wires, and since 1870 scythes. Today, the company offers a large range of longhandled tools and snow clearing tools in an internationally recognised quality. In addition, Offner is the world market leader in forks. A saw mill was built in 1960 and has been expanded and updated ever since. Today, it is one of the world’s most modern and most efficient saw mills in the world. Since 2006, up to 800,000 solid cubic metres of logs can be processed with the latest technology upon request. In 2013, Hans Michael Offner handed over the company’s reins to his son Johann Offner after almost 30 years as its managing director.
World Champion Austria Hidden champions
mily businesses; a homogenous value system ensures the right focus and creates stability. There is a danger of internal friction though, if the values of the entrepreneurial family come into conflict with those of the company. Due to the fact that both systems are reciprocal and can’t be separated from one another, it is important to fine-tune the value systems to create clarity and synergies. At the beginning of a family business’ life cycle, the founding generation lays the foundations for the desired value system. The following generations carry it over, making it a long-term and sustainable construct. Conveying the practised values through communication and acting as a role model on the executive management level is crucial for their lasting effect. Not only will the staff but also the surrounding environment appreciate and realise those values – the family business will have a distinct branding. Family members are becoming brand ambassadors and are inseparably connected to the company and its activities. It is therefore absolutely necessary to create a sustainable value system to avoid confusion or inconsistency. The founding generation of a family business leaves a heritage that consist both of monetary and intangible values. The following generations consistently keep these moral concepts to honour the family heritage. This approach comes with a few risks, however: The values need to be evaluated regularly as part of the value transfer to the next generation, in order to see whether they still meet the current demands. When a company is passed on, the framework conditions often change; the value system must be re-evaluated.
If this doesn’t happen, the transferred values can become an obstacle for future development or a limitation to the flexibility and adaptability of the company. Furthermore, values cannot simply be transferred. They need to be internalised by everyone involved and have to meet the right competence and motivation of the executive management. Values are thus connected more strongly to people than to companies, and this needs to be considered during the company transfer. Therefore, the sustainability of the value system in family businesses depends on continuous reflection and development: The basis is the founding generation, which passes on its values to the next generation. The value system, however, is a dynamic resource that is ideally shaped by tradition but that needs to be adjusted across the years and generations. The value systems of Austrian hidden champions The 16 family businesses that were surveyed for this study (see box page 14) are a geographical cross section of the Austrian hidden champions scene: Three from Vorarlberg, two from Upper Austria, four from Lower Austria, two from Styria, two from Carinthia and one from Burgenland. Apart from their geographic location, the companies (which go back up to 14 generations) also differ in terms of number of staff and the study tried to survey businesses of different sizes. Not only the number of staff but also the turnover (from three to 150 million euros) differs. At first, the companies were asked about the decisive criteria for their success, allowing any number of answers. The results show a strong consistency with the factors of success that Simon
Hidden champions in Austria There are currently almost 190 hidden champions with less than 300 million euros annual turnover and 60 major world or European market leaders with more than 200 million euros annual turnover, making for almost 250 of these great businesses. Nr. 1 in the world
Nr. 2 or 3 in the world
Nr. 1 in Europe
Austrian hidden champions
147
7
40
194
Major Austrian world market leaders
39
4
9
52
186
11
49
246
as of autumn 2019
The international definition of hidden champions does not “only” include the world’s number one but also numbers two and three as well as the number one on its continent (in our case Europe). Therefore, we have split them up in different categories. If a company is a world and European market leader, it is only listed in the first column (the same applies to the other columns). Companies that are listed in the column “No. 1 in Europe” are not among the top three in the world. All listed companies of all sizes are headquartered in Austria.
Picture: Sattler AG
16_17
Herbert Pfeilstecher, Lisbeth Wilding and Alexander Tessmar-Pfohl manage the globally operating family business Sattler AG from Gössendorf in Styria.
had defined for his definition of hidden champions – only the answers “luck” and “timing” differ from Simon’s factors. Many of the surveyed hidden champions state their niche specialisation as the decisive factor of success. The staff is also considered a (slightly less) decisive factor of success due to the high influence of the employees’ productivity and efficiency on the monetary success. Internationalisation was named surprisingly rare as a factor of success, as all 16 companies have an export ratio of more than 90 percent and operate globally. Furthermore, the corporate values of the surveyed companies shaped their strategic alignment and their behaviour, and the effects of the value system on the corporate success is consequently noticeable. The value system defines how much the company values its stakeholders, both internally and externally, and how it deals with them. This forges long-term partnerships that eventually turn into successes and strengthens the concept of sustainability, which depends highly on the value system. Long-term decisions and sustainable business practices create a consistent path and allows for better planning. The values that the company practices create a family atmosphere among the Austrian familyrun hidden champions, which in turn has a positive effect on the productivity and the motivation of their staff. Another factor that affects the corporate success directly or indirectly and which is influenced by the value system is the com-
munication culture. Those surveyed indicated in particular the advantages of an open, honest and transparent communication as it sends clear signals to the inside and the outside. Enthusiasm for the company’s products is connected to the staff’s motivation, which is increased by a certain level of enthusiasm. This, in turn, has a positive effect on the corporate success. The surveyed companies also called striving for quality and innovation an indirect factor of success. All 16 of them operate in a niche and stand out with their high-quality and innovative products and services. Striving to be the best is also something that is influenced strongly by a company’s value system. Finally, those surveyed named regionalism with regards to regional staff and regional obligations towards society. It is to be assumed that regional commitment has an effect on the image as an employer, making it easier to hire staff from the region. The factors were named in decreasing frequency but all lead to the corporate success that the value system influences indirectly. Based on these results, the research question of how much the value system influences the corporate success of family-run hidden champions can thus be answered: The value system has an indirect influence on the success of a company by influencing the business activities positively, leading to long-term success. In other words, according to the results and the findings, corporate success is based to a large extent on a sound value system.
World Champion Austria
Foto: ELK Holding AG
Hidden champions
The Lower Austrian family business ELK Holding AG manufactures sustainable pre-fab houses.
The positive and negative influence of family The surveyed hidden champions stress predominantly advantages such as quick decision-making processes due to flat hierarchies and thus quicker reaction to changing market situations. Furthermore, the family has a positive effect on staff as the employees identify with the entrepreneurial family and therefore work more productively and have a higher motivation. Another advantage is the influence of the entrepreneurial family’s value system, which is consistent with literature. But there are also disadvantages: Due to the close interrelation between family and business, internal family tensions are transferred into the company. When it comes to executive positions, family members are often favoured over others, regardless of their qualifications. Another disadvantage is dealing with risks. Due to the fact that the family depends from the company’s decisions, it acts more carefully and conservative. Therefore, potentials for development are not always being tapped to their full extent. Ten of the surveyed hidden champions are being run by at least the second generation and they spoke of the risk of transferring the company. Problems can arise if the succession is not planned diligently and in due time.
All in all, a family business needs to fine-tune the social systems – family and company – in order to avoid problems resulting from internal frictions. Long-term planning and short decision-making processes Out of 20 answers from the 16 surveyed companies, five relate to the difference in defining objectives. Family businesses seem to plan in the longer term and already take the following generation into consideration. Another five answers relate to shorter decision-making processes. All of the surveyed companies have flat hierarchies, no matter their size. This allows for shorter decision-making processes and quicker reaction times, making a company more flexible and more adaptable. The difference in financing was named four times. The surveyed companies consider financial success important but not crucial. Contrary to corporations, they are not obliged to pay out profits. Therefore, they can set a bigger timeframe for their financial success. This, in turn, has an effect on the long-term strategy as the surveyed family businesses place sustainable success over short-term profit maximisation. Another difference is the family atmosphere that can be found
18_19
in these 16 hidden champions. Four of the companies place great value on a familiar atmosphere in internal dealings, which is a clear difference from non-family businesses. There is a bigger focus on the human factor than there is in large corporations; two of the smallest companies surveyed believe this. 13 of the surveyed hidden champions have at least one family member working in the operative business and working actively at the company. This results in the special situation that these persons can influence the company significantly by taking up different roles. From the respondents‘ point of view, these rolls can be called motivator, point of reference, source of values, driving force and decision maker. The role of the family as a motivator is noticeable in as much as the company’s staff is identifying with the entrepreneurial family and is thus willing to perform better. The family spurs the staff on by serving as a point of reference for the desired behaviour and by leading by example with its own commitment. Families transfer their values onto the company because they have great influence on everyone around them. Another important role of the family is therefore being the source of values. The family is the driving force and thus boosts the company’s further development. Finally, the family also serves as the decision maker in a number of matters. In summary, those surveyed see predominantly an advantage in the family’s influence on the company. The distinctive features compared to non-family businesses give the company a long-term character and offers more flexibility thanks to shorter decisionmaking processes. The surveyed companies stress the human factor and the family atmosphere, which lead to better motivated
The expert on world champions Prof Dr Georg Jungwirth has masterminded several detailed and comprehensive studies on Austrian hidden champions, even to detailed aspects and particular factors of success. Campus 02 University of Applied Sciences Course International Marketing & Sales Management 8010 Graz, Körblergasse 126 Tel: +43/316 6002 8161, Fax: +43/316 6002 1230 georg.jungwirth@campus02.at www.campus02.at
staff and a higher identification with the company. The family plays a significant role as a motivator but also as a point of reference, driving force, decision-maker and source of values. Referring to the research question of what influences the value system of hidden champions, the results show the major importance of the family behind the company. The family is considered by all of those surveyed an important source of values that influences the value system considerably. A good atmosphere as factor of success Openly practised values are the basis for long-term corporate success and are thus the prerequisite for securing the company’s future. The surveyed hidden champions, however, consider the value system to be much more important than being only a support mechanism of corporate management. When asked about the tasks of the value system, those interviewed indicated five aspects in particular. Values are considered reference points, the basis of all business activity and an additional benefit for staff. Furthermore, values signify the behaviour on display and the demonstration of specific moral concepts. A possible explanation for the different assessment of the significance of values could be the company-specific values themselves. This means that companies that recognise values as an additional benefit for staff are also highly staff-oriented. Furthermore, companies that advocate adhering to values and transferring them also place great value on authenticity and honesty. It appears that the value system itself influences the perception of the significance of values in a company. Only one respondent saw no connection between the value system and corporate success. He explained this with the high influence of uncontrollable economic framework conditions and a value system that is considered to have a low significance. 13 of the surveyed hidden champions agreed with the following statement and ten thereof agreed with it strongly: “A company without values is like a game of cards with marked cards. I might by successful but when I get found out it is twice as bad and therefore definitely the wrong way to be successful.” This assessment is explained with the influence of values on the employees and their productivity, which in turn affects economic success. A value-oriented company creates an atmosphere that employees enjoy. Values shape the respectful interaction with staff. Overall, values influence both the efficiency and the productivity and thus indirectly corporate success. Apart from the effects of the value system on staff, values also influence the company’s reputation and its image in the market, which in turn has a positive effect on customer satisfaction and business relations with partners.
World Champion Austria Hidden champions
ted in written form; they are adhered to every day. Values are conveyed in particular by the actions of executive management and are made thus visible. Every action and every decision is influenced by the set of values; this set influences day-to-day business significantly. However, not only the executive management but also the behaviour of staff decides how well-defined these values are. The moral concepts documented in the mission statement and communicated on the website are ultimately reflected by the behaviour of all employees and are noticeable through value-oriented decisions. The study established the most dominant values of the 16 The mission statements of leading companies hidden champions during the interviews. Again, the respondents A popular way of writing down values is the creation of a mission could name as many things as they wanted. statement. In addition to the vision, the mission and the goals, it The result is eleven values that can be used in different comstates all values that shall help to reach the overall objectives. position to create the sets of values of these companies: EnthusiAnother possibility is having value sheets that contain the asm, ambition, honesty, employee focus, sustainability, curiosity, essential corporate values in a highly condensed form and which quality awareness, respect, stakeholder orientation, transparency can be distributed among staff. One company states the values in and trust. the articles of association; by signing, all associates submit to The value system of the surveyed hidden champions consists observe these values. on average of three of these values. There is no correlation betJust like the documentation, the communication of values is ween provinces, company size or the managing generation. But also done very differently. Here, we have to distinguish between according to the answers, there seems to be a trend of the most internal and external communication. Values can be communicaimportant values: Stakeholder orientation, employee focus, sustated e.g. as part of the job interview or through the daily interaction inability, honesty, respect and ambition appear to shape the value with staff. systems of the surveyed hidden champions in particular. One way to communicate your values to the public is to put them As values are (also) influenced strongly by the surrounding on the company website. Values can also be communicated at environment they need to be developed further and be adjusted company presentations or at trade fairs in order to offer the outside to changing conditions. However, only two of the surveyed hidden world a glimpse of the company’s attitudes and moral concepts. companies argued for a constant change of the value system. The oldest of the surveyed companies considers it necessary to give a “The rot starts at the top” new impetus to the company’s orientation when transferring it to A criterium that was named by all respondents was the importance the next generation – and this influences the value system. Furof living by the values top down. It is important to incorporate the thermore, it is considered nevalues into day-to-day busicessary to adjust the value ness. The values do not only system to changing economic shape the attitude of everyone conditions. involved but also the decisions. The top ten most important values The majority of responBy acting according to the cordents, however, have a value porate values, these values are A study by Garcia-Alvarez and Lopez-Sintas dealt with the system that has not changed modelled and embedded into values of the founding generation and identified these ten since the company’s establishthe company. dominant values: ment. Those that don’t adjust The way that values are 1) hard work 6) family orientation their value system believe in a incorporated into the company 2) growth 7) determination particular advantage for the also answers the research 3) satisfaction 9) ambition company’s long-term strategic question of how values are 4) business orientation 9) innovation alignment due to its continuity made perceptible within the 5) performance orientation 10) sense of family and stability. The family also company. Values are not only seems to have a significant documented and communicaThe majority of the surveyed hidden champions see a link between the value system and corporate success. However, this link exists only indirectly through variables such as staff or corporate image, which are influenced by the value system. All of the surveyed companies indicated that they live by values and communicate them to the inside and the outside in an open way. Surprisingly, only half of these companies have written down their value system in one way or another. The smaller companies in particular refrain from using a written document and prefer to actively communicate and live by their values instead.
20_21
Picture: MK Illumination Handels GmbH
successful, they need to influence here, as family create the same prerequivalues are usually passed sites for a respectful famion across generations unly atmosphere and an changed, and this affects open communication culthe company. Therefore, ture as the surveyed hidthe family can be consideden champions did. red a long-term stabiliser The entrepreneurial fafor the value system. mily in particular should According to the surrealise its role as a source veyed companies, prioritiof values. Employees sing certain values within identify better with the the value system is not company and are willing considered useful. They to work harder if the famisee the strength of their ly is strongly involved in value system in the sum the operative day-to-day of all its complementing business. The regular prevalues, however. Only sence of the entrepreneutwo respondents could MK Illumination Handels GmbH from Innsbruck shines with 100 million euros turnover. rial family causes staff to name a value that towers adjust its behaviour to that the family. If the entrepreneurial famiabove all others and which shapes the actions of everyone involly manages to consciously act in a way that represents the value ved in the form of a company credo. system, the positive effects increase exponentially through the All other answers are mainly considered “ethical values”, whoactions of the employees. se total make up the value system and are on the same level. The study also shows that writing down values is not crucial Contrary to “utility values”, “ethical values” determine the behafor a successful handling of the value system. Instead, those vaviour towards the public and internally. A prioritisation within this lues need to be incorporated into the business activities and the value category is not necessary as they can exist side by side; this family must lead by example. is also reflected in the answers of the surveyed hidden champions. The essential values of the surveyed hidden champions overlap Finally, the respondents were asked to self-assess how deep for the most part with the results of other studies. This shows that their values are entrenched in their companies, considering all the values such as honesty, strong stakeholder orientation, sustainafactors that they indicated. In this case, they did not evaluate bility, focusing on employees, hard work and perseverance should every value individually but the entire value system and its manibe cornerstones of a healthy and successful value system. festation. On average, the hidden champions saw a manifestation Based on the statements of the surveyed experts and the finof about 80 percent. This figure describes the perception of how dings, family businesses should define three essential values and entrenched the value system of the Austrian hidden champions concentrate on those. However, a higher value can determine the seems to be, considering the defined fulfilment criteria. company’s objective. Here, a smaller number of core values on the level of ethical values leads to a more precise and better-defined What we can learn from the hidden champions value system that can also be modelled better. Recommendations for actions can be deduced from the theoretical The entirety of the value system is crucial for corporate succontents and results of empirical research. They should give famicess. Instead of focusing on one value on the ethical level it is more ly businesses that strive for a similar position to hidden champions useful to fine-tune the values and to find a sound value system an idea how to deal with their own value system. overall. The surveyed hidden champions consider the value sysLiterature places a high significance on the close link between tem a point of reference and the foundation of their work. Family a value system and corporate success. The survey shows that the businesses should therefore make decisions in accordance in order hidden champions also see a connection between values and to have their value system guide the business activities. success. They also consider human relationships to their staff and All in all, every family business should regularly analyse its clients to be particularly important. The human factor is seen as values and evaluate their manifestation, no matter how deeply one of the most decisive criteria of success. If family businesses they are entrenched in the company. ◆ want to benefit from the potentials of their value system to be
World Champion Austria Successful with research
Vital factor of success: research and development An EY analysis shows that 30 publicly listed companies in Austria increased their research and development expenditure significantly over the past 5 years.
T
he ranking of companies with the highest expenditure for research and development by auditor and consulter Ernst & Young from August 2019 puts AMS AG from Styrian Premstätten on top. In 2018, the globally operating technology group invested a remarkable 239 million euros into innovations, which is an increase of twelve percent compared to the previous year. Voestalpine came in second place, spending 152 million euros (+ 8 percent) in 2018, followed by S&T, which invested 123 million euros – about 7 percent more than in 2017.
Country Managing Partner at EY Austria. “The big transformation that comes with digitisation can be seen particularly in the field of information technology and in the industrial sector. Therefore, not only global players but also Austrian companies have to react faster and push innovation in order to survive on the market.”
Picture: OMV
High R&D intensity equals high EBIT margin Globally, pharmaceutical corporations and the biotech sector dominate the ranking of research and development expenditure, while in Austria the sectors information technology, industry and mining/ metal production lead the pack. Turnovers (+ 10 percent from 2017 to 2018) and EBIT (+ 40 perTechnology sector leading in R&D intensity cent) also went up in Austria. A clear connection between aboveWhen it comes to research and development intensity, that is the average R&D intensity and a high EBIT margin can be seen parratio of R&D expenditure to turnover, Fabasoft leads the way with ticularly in information technology: Companies with especially high 24.1 percent of turnover being spent on R&D in 2018. research and development inAMS (16.8 percent) and Kavestments achieved an abovepsch TrafficCom (14.9 percent) average EBIT margin of 14.7 are second and third, followed percent. by S&T and AT&S. The top five Companies with below-avare made up exclusively of IT erage R&D intensity, however, companies. only had an EBIT margin of 11.7 Zumtobel from the industrial percent. This development sector comes in sixth place. The does not only apply to informacompany from Vorarlberg spetion technology but also to mincialises in lighting technology ing, metal production and the and invested 6.1 percent of its industrial sector. turnover into research and deThis implies that innovative velopment. companies are more successful, “The information technolosays Reimoser. “It becomes gy sector spends on average clearer and clearer that a comabout 12.7 percent of its turnopany’s competitiveness is inver on research and developcreasingly determined by its ment,” says Gunther Reimoser, Austria made a huge leap forward in R&D over the last 25 years.
Picture: voest-alpine
22_23
One of Austria’s big strengths is the highly qualified and motivated skilled labour in research and development.
technological and innovative capacity. Investors place increasing value on these factors.” The research ratio doubled in 25 years Overall, Austria made a huge leap forward in research and development over the past two decades. The increase of the research ratio from 1.53 percent (1994) to currently 3.17 percent proves this. Austria’s improvement in the field of research and development is one of the biggest in Europe. The companies’ systematic investment into R&D contributes as much to this development as the dedication to public spending by the state, offering far-reaching research subsidies and an innovation-friendly tax system. Austria is one of the few European countries that has already surpassed the EU’s goal of having a research ratio of three percent by 2020. According to the global estimate of Statistics Austria, Austria has increased its research and development expenditure to 12.3 billion euros, which is 5,6 percent or 658 million euros more than the previous year. Thus, the expenditure is higher than the projected nominal increase of the gross domestic product of 4.9 percent. Last year, Austria recorded a research ratio of more than 3 percent – the EU goal for 2020 – for the third year running.
Compared with other EU-countries, Austria’s research ratio comes second behind Sweden, having surpassed Germany, Denmark and Finland. ◆
The 10 companies with the highest R&D expenditure mln euros
± 2018/17
1) AMS
239
+12
2) voestalpine
152
+8
3) S&T
123
+7
4) Andritz
109
+14
5) Kapsch TrafficCom
103
+21
6) Zumtobel
73
–11
7) AT&S
66
+5
8) Palfinger
51
+10
9) Lenzing
43
–23
10) OMV
40
+21
Right column: change compared to 2017 according to EY
World Champion Austria Hidden Champions
120 world markets leaders in and from Austria at a glance From Burgenland right through to Vorarlberg: Globally leading products and processes, as far as the eye can see!
A
Burgenland
Carinthia
c I sosport Verbundbauteile: plastic composite materials for the ski and snowboard industry; www.isosport.com
cA lpina Sicherheitssysteme GmbH: safety materials for high-speed sports; www.alpina.at
Picture: UngerSteelGrou/Toni-Rappersberger
Unger Steel Group: From a locksmith in Burgenland to a global corporation
Picture: Novomatic
bit of luck. A large number of companies in all nine Austrian provinces are playing in the economic Champions League and are among global technology leaders. Here is a selection of more than 100 of these high-end companies (the majority are Hidden Champions) but the list is by no means exhaustive.
c Lumitec: LED light solutions; lumiteclighting.com c Mareto: tubes for cosmetic products and lipstick covers; www.mareto.at c Swarco Futurit Verkehrssignalsysteme GmbH: polycarbonate traffic lights; www.swarco.com c Tupack Verpackungen GmbH: plastic tubes and lipstick covers for the cosmetics and pharmaceutical industry; www.tupack.at c Unger Stahlbau GmbH: European market leader in steel engineering; www.ungersteel.com c Vossen GmbH & Co.KG: European market leader in terry cloth products; www.vossen.com
fter eleven unsuccessful attempts, football club Red Bull Salzburg managed to reach the group stage of the Champions League 2019/20 for the first time; Linz-based LASK could have been there too with a little
One of the leading operators of casinos: gambling giant Novomatic
Picture: Pollmann
Picture: Wewalka
24_25
Wewalka is the world’s largest family-run producer of fresh dough.
Every other sliding roof in the world uses mechanics from Pollmann.
cG lock GmbH: world market leader in pistols for police units etc.; among the world’s largest manufacturers of pistols; https://eu.glock.com c Greenonetec Solarindustrie GmbH: panels for solar thermal plants; www.greenonetec.com c Hirsch Armbänder GmbH: leather watchstraps; www.hirschag.com c Joh. Offner Verwaltung und Vertrieb GmbH: forks; www.ofner.at c Infineon Technologies Austria AG: special super wavers (microchips); www.infineon.com c S.A.M. Kuchler Electronics GmbH: cutting systems for sausages and cheese; www.sam-kuchler.com c Treibacher Industrie AG: recycling of vanadium-nickelmolybdenum catalysers, light diodes, precision moulding; www.treibacher.com c Wild GmbH: optomechatronic systems; www.wild.at
c J ungbunzlauer Austria AG: worldwide leader as a producer of biodegradable natural ingredients; www.jungbunzlauer.com c Klinger Dichtungstechnik: industrial sealing material; www.klinger.co.at c LiSEC Group: flat glass processing; www.lisec.com c Novomatic AG: world market leader in the production and operation of electronic gambling equipment; www.novomatic.com c Ovotherm International Handels GmbH: transparent packaging for eggs; www.ovotherm.com c Pollmann International GmbH: (electro-)mechanical components for sliding roofs; www.pollmann.at c Riegl Laser Measurement Systems GmbH: laser measuring devices for the civil sector; www.riegl.com c Test-Fuchs GmbH: testing systems for aviation and aerospace, GSE (ground support equipment) and AGE (aircraft ground equipment); www.test-fuchs.com c Wewalka GmbH Nfg. KG: the world’s largest family-run producer of fresh dough; www.wewalka.com c ZKW Group: headlights for cars, lorries and two-wheeled vehicles; premium light and electronics systems; www.zkw-group.com
Lower Austria cA sta: copper components for energy generation and transmission; www.asta.at c Biomin (part of the Erber Group), Getzersdorf: producer of livestock nourishment; www.biomin.net c Croma Pharma: hyaluronic acid injections; at.croma.at c Delta Bloc International GmbH: concrete barriers for motorways and carriageways; www.deltabloc.com c Doka Group: formwork and safety systems for construction sites; www.doka.com c FHW Franz Haas Waffelmaschinen GmbH: waffle and biscuit making equipment; www.haas.com c GW Cosmetics: eyelash and eyebrow colours; gwcosmetics.at
Upper Austria cB ackaldrin International The Kornspitz Company GmbH: Kornspitz (baked goods); www.backaldrin.com c Engel Austria: injection moulding machines and their automation; www.engelglobal.com c Erema Engineering Recycling Maschinen und Anlagen: plastics recycling machines; www.erema.com c FACC: winglets et al.; www.facc.com
World Champion Austria
cF ill GmbH: ski production machines; www.fill.co.at c Fronius International GmbH: robotic welding, lightarc welding and resistance spot welding; www.fronius.com c Greiner Tool.Tec (GTT): tools and devices for the extrusion of plastic profiles; www.greiner.com c Hitzinger GmbH: individual power supplies; www.hitzinger.at c Keba AG: automating machines; www.keba.com c Lenzing: world market leader in cellulose fibres; www.lenzing.com c Miba: premium automotive parts; www.miba.com c Numtec-Interstahl GmbH: marking and reading machines for the steel and non-ferrous metal industry; www.numtec-interstahl.com c PC Electric: industrial connectors, plugs and distribution boxes; www.pcelectric.at c Pรถttinger Landtechnik: agricultural forage wagons; www.poettinger.com c Rosenbauer International AG: fire service technology in the areas of firefighting and disaster management; www.rosenbauer.com c Rubble Master GmbH: building material recycling plants c Teufelberger Seil GmbH: ropes for boats and ships, crane ropes; www.teufelberger.com
Picture: Engel Austria
Hidden Champions
Engel Austria GmbH is a globally operating manufacturer of injection moulding machines.
cT rench Austria GmbH: dry insulated air core reactors; www.trenchgroup.com c Trodat Holding GmbH: self-inking stamps and laser engraving machines; www.trodat.net c Voestalpine: world market leader in switch technology and special rails as well as tool steels and special profiles; www.voestalpine.com c WFL Millturn Technologies GmbH & Co KG: world market leader in multifunctional millturn centres; www.wfl.at c Wintersteiger: field test technology, wood surface repair, etc.; www.wintersteiger.com
Picture: Palfinger
Salzburg
Palfinger: market leader in loading cranes, naval cranes and skip loaders, among others
cA tomic Austria GmbH: alpine skies; www.atomicsnow.com c Geislinger GmbH: couplings and dampers for large engines; www.geislinger.com c Copa-Data GmbH: software for automated controls of industrial plants and building technology; www.copadata.at c Eisenwerk Sulzau-Werfen: high-tech rollers for the international steel industry; www.esw.co.at c J. Meissl GmbH: umbrellas and umbrella bars with the focus on custom products; www.meissl.com c Orderman GmbH: wireless electronic ordering and billing systems; www.orderman.com c Palfinger AG: mounted loading cranes; www.palfinger.at
Picture: Knapp
Picture: Rosenbauer
26_27
Rosenbauer is the world market leader in firefighting and disaster management
Knapp Group: a globally leading company in logistics
cR ed Bull: world market leader in energy drinks and simultaneously one of Austria’s most valuable and best-known brands; www.redbull.com
c Inteco special melting technologies: plants for specialist metallurgy; www.inteco.at c Isovoltaic AG: special foils for photovoltaics modules; www.isovoltaic.com c Knapp AG: storage and intralogistics; www.knapp.com c Komptech GmbH: waste treatment and processing of biomass; www.komptech.com c König Maschinen GmbH: baking machines, www.koenig-rex.com c LCT GmbH: translucent concrete, https://lct.co.at c Mayr-Melnhof: coated cardboards; www.mayr-melnhof.com c Ölmühle Pelzmann GmbH: pumpkin seed oil; www.pelzmann.com c Pewag Group: tyre protection and snow chains; www.pewag-group.com c Pieps GmbH: avalanche rescue systems, www.pieps.com c Remus: sports exhaust pipes; www.remus.eu c Schaller GmbH: biomass and water measuring in recycled paper; www.humimeter.com c Wolfram Bergbau und Hütten AG: tungsten carbide and tungsten metal in powder form for the high-tech industry; www.wolfram.at c Wollsdorf Leder Schmidt & Co GmbH: high-quality leather upholstery for the automotive industry; www.wollsdorf.com
Styria c AHT Cooling Systems GmbH: cooling and freezing systems for commerce and trade; www.aht.at c Andritz AG: production systems for the cellulose, paper and steel industry as well as further industrial sectors; www.andritz.com c Anton Paar GmbH: measurement of density, concentration and CO2, rheometry; www.anton-paar.com c AT&S Austria Technologie & Systemtechnik AG: European market leader and globally one of the leading producers of premium circuit boards and IC substrates; ats.net c AVL List: the world’s largest independent company for the development of drivetrains for combustion engines and measurement and inspection technology; avl.com c Binder + Co AG: screening and glass recycling; www.binder-co.com c CNSystems Medizintechnik; devices for non-invasive cardiovascular monitoring; www.cnsystems.com c DiTest Fahrzeugdiagnose GmbH: emission testing; www.avlditest.com c IBS Holding GmbH: dewatering systems for the paper industry; www.ibs-ppg.com
Tirol c Egger Gruppe: thin chipboards; www.egger.com
World Champion Austria
Picture: Alpla
Picture: Trodat
Hidden Champions
Alpla became the world market leader in plastics packaging.
c Glockengiesser Grassmayr: bell foundry established in 1599 (!) in Innsbruck, delivered bells to 100 countries; www.grassmayr.at c Kompass Karten GmbH: hiking maps; www.kompass.at c Pirlo GmbH: snuff boxes, metal packaging; www.pirlo.com c Riedel: crystal glasses; www.riedel.com c SPGPrints Austria GmbH: laser engraving systems for the textile, carpet and packaging industry; www.spgprints.com c Sunkid Skilift FĂśrdertechnik GmbH: ski conveyor belt; www.sunkid.at c Swarovski Optik KG: long-range and military optics; www.swarovskioptik.com c Vizrt: graphic art for TV and visual studios; www.vizrt.com
Vorarlberg
Riedel Glas: world market leader in glasses and decanters for different types of grapes
cA lpla Werke Alwin Lehner GmbH & Co. KG: plastic packaging; www.alpla.com c Bachmann electronic GmbH: controls for wind power; www.bachmann.info c Baur PrĂźf- und Messtechnik GmbH: high voltage, testing and measuring technology; www.baur.at c Doppelmayr: ropeway transportation systems; www.doppelmayr.com c Getzner Werkstoffe: vibration insulation; www.getzner.com c Julius Blum GmbH: metal fittings; www.blum.com c WolfVision GmbH: high-end visualisers; www.wolfvision.com
Picture: Getzner Werkstoffe
Picture: Riedel
Start-up Trodat turned into a world market leader within 20 years.
Getzner is the world market leader in vibration insulation.
Picture: Vamed
Picture: Andritz
28_29
The Andritz Group stands out globally in the field of high-end production systems.
The Austrian health service provider Vamed is successful around the globe.
Vienna
c Lenus Pharma: treatment of male infertility; www.lenuspharma.at c MAM Babyartikel GmbH: market leader in the baby’s dummy /pacifier segment in the United States, Denmark, Sweden, Norway, Finland, France, the Czech Republic, Austria, Switzerland, Israel and Chile; www.mambaby.com c Plasser & Theurer: track renewal machines; www.plassertheurer.com c Pörner Ingenieursgesellschaft mbH: bitumen production plants; www.poerner.at c RHI Megnesita: world market leader in premium fire-proof products; www.rhi.magnesita.com c Schiebel Elektronische Geräte GmbH: mine detectors and unmanned aerial vehicles; www.schiebel.net c Siemens AG Österreich: special rail vehicles – with its six plants, globally operating competence centres and regional know-how in each province, Siemens contributes considerably to the Austrian added value; www.siemens.at c Starlinger & Co GmbH: woven plastic bags; www.starlinger.at c Thomastik-Infeld GmbH: strings for instruments; www.thomastik-infeld.com c VAMED: single source supplier for health facilities; www.vamed.com c Vienna Symphonic Library: virtual orchestra music; www.vsl.co.at c Wienerberger: brick building systems; www.wienerberger.com ◆
Picture: Frequentis
c 123 Sonography GmbH: online courses for physicians and medical experts who work with ultrasound devices; www.123sonography.com c Agrana Beteiligungs AG: world market leader in fruit processing and major producer of fruit juice concentrates in Europe; www.agrana.com c Dietzel GmbH: installation systems for electrical engineering; www.dietzel-univolt.com c Frequentis AG: information and communication systems for air traffic safety; www.frequentis.com c iSi GmbH: compressed gas storage; www.isi.com
Frequentis: world market leader in speech systems for air traffic control
World Champion Austria Export
Exemplary export results – also in the United States Austria’s businesses are doing extremely well in the country of endless opportunities in the face of adversity.
T
The greatest innovation so far came in 2018, when Wawelka introduced the concept of “fresh dough rolled on baking parchment” for an improved baking convenience among US households. Also, the company managed to conquer not only the East Coast but also the West Coast by being listed at retail giant Safeway Albertsons in addition to Walmart and Krogers nation-wide. Thus, Wewalka products are available at more than 10,500 US retail stores. The next step is a vegan shortcrust pastry, which will roll out in the United States in the near future. The other nominees in the category Start-up were ms.GIS GmbH and Cropster GmbH.
Top start-up with innovative dough Since 2015, Wewalka GmbH Nfg. KG from Lower Austria has been selling a fresh dough range specifically targeting the needs of American consumers. In addition to the very first puff pastry and the first round pizza dough, flatbread dough is also part of the existing product range.
The right footprint Styrian Knapp AG is among the market and technology leaders among providers of intralogistic full solutions, automated storage systems and logistics software for the fields of healthcare, fashion, retail, food retail and industry. The company is a pioneer and leading provider of shuttle systems and other revolutionary technolo-
Pictures: Stream Unlimited (2)
he USA-BIZ-AWARD, the “Business Oscar” of AdvantageAustria’s Trade Commission in Los Angeles, puts the outstanding achievements of Austrian businesses on the hard-fought US-market on the red carpet and in the media’s spotlight. “In 2019, the Business Oscar was awarded for the ninth time in the categories Start-up, Market Footprint, Trendsetter, Investment, Innovation and Spectacular,” says Walter Koren, the Austrian Trade Commissioner in Los Angeles. This year, the province of Styria is upfront with three winners, followed by a company each from Lower Austria, Upper Austria and Vienna.
The start-up StreamUnlimited employs more than 100 people.
StreamUnlimited founders CEO Frits Wittgrefe and CTO Markus Rutz
Picture: Carmen Porto
30_31
Winners in the category Investment: Trade Commissioner Walter Koren, Thomas Carson (Anton Paar USA), Gerhard Apfelthaler, Max-Mario Prince von Schaumburg-Lippe
path of growth in the United States. According to the Motorcycle gies such as vision systems with image recognition technology, the Industry Council, KTM North America’s 8.1 percent market share is Pick-It-Easy robot, high performance pocket sorter solutions for ebigger than the one of all other European brands combined. commerce applications and pharmaceutics solutions with Six Sigma Thanks to their broad range accuracy. of models, the brands KTM and Knapp AG with its US headHusqvarna Motorcycles attract quarters in Kennesaw, Georgia, “The export trade with the US is becoming more the youngest target groups in focuses in the United States on and more important for Austria. Exports doubled the motorcycle industry’s core Fortune 1000 businesses, e-comover the last decade and reached a record level of segments. With a 40 percent merce and new businesses with share in the off-road segment, high growth potential. The com10.6 billion euros in 2018 - an increase of almost they are also the absolute marpany recorded its best result ever ten percent compared to 2017.” ket leader in the United States. in 2018 and achieved a growth W a l t e r K o r e n , Tr a d e C o m m i s s i o n e r KTM has launched targeted rate of 375 percent in the past four marketing activities for a series years. of next generation street products with industry-leading, intelliThe other nominees in the category Market Footprint were gent, extreme and exciting powersport solution. The outstanding Rosenbauer International AG and Koenig Maschinen GmbH. image, coupled with great successes at the Rallye Dakar, is setting new trends. The top trendsetters The other nominated trendsetters were Wikitude GmbH and Upper Austrian KTM AG is Europe’s largest motorcycles manufacWiesner-Hager Moebel GmbH. turer with its brands KTM and Husqvarna Motorcycles and is on a
World Champion Austria
Picture: AVL List
Export
The other nominees in the category Investment were Tiger Drylac and AHT Cooling Systems GmbH.
Picture: Wewalka
give our clients better access to us,” explains Reinhard Eberl, ManOutstanding investors aging Director of Anton Paar USA. The Styrian measurement technologies corporation Anton Paar Styrian AVL List GmbH won the category Innovation, pipping GmbH has increased its activities on the US market massively. Getzner Werkstoffe GmbH and Jerich Austria Gmbh at the post. Furthermore, the company from Graz acquired Quantachrome Instruments in Florida and now has a production site in the United Highly innovative... States. AVL List GmbH, also from Styria, landed a major contract for inteThe new company sites in Houston, Texas, and Los Angeles, grated testing systems for the world’s largest zero emission lab in California, opened in 2018, were the main drivers of this recent California. The government growth. There is also a new agency California Air Resources mobile laboratory that tours the Board (CARB) awarded AVL United States and showcases the contract for supplying the Anton Paar’s measurement entire hardware and software technologies right at the clifor a new research facility for ent’s doorstep. Soon, a new vehicle emissions. This is a mademonstration lab in Chicago, jor step on the way to a higher Illinois, and a modern centre of air quality and less pollutant technology at the headquarters emissions. in Ashland, Virginia, will open California is a trailblazer in their gates. “Our regionalisathe fight against climate tion strategy aims to improve change and a committed propoour service on location and to Wewalka: Fresh dough products, fine-tuned to the US market.
32_33
The Knapp Group invests almost 40 million euros annually into research & development.
“The United States are our second-most important trading partner before Italy, the previous number two. And I’m positive that this success story will continue as long as our businesses remain as innovative and attractive.” W a l t e r K o r e n , Tr a d e C o m m i s s i o n e r
appliances / smart home businesses who want to improve their products with audio streaming and voice assistant technology. StreamUnlimited is the first Austrian company to be certified as an Alexa System Integrator by Amazon prior to the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) 2019. This goes to show that the company is among the top voice assistant businesses worldwide. The other nominees in the category Spectacular were Schiebel Elektronische Geraete GmbH and Julius Blum GmbH. “There will be another Business Oscar gala in 2020,” promises Walter Koren. “The key to winning are the outstanding, innovative and spectacular achievements of the Austrian businesses in the United States.” ◆
Picture: KTM
...and highly spectacular With its embedded streaming technology, Viennese Stream Unlimited has revolutionised music streaming e.g. for Spotify Connect and the voice control of Google Assistant, Apple AirPlay 2 and Tencent Voice. StreamUnlimited serves the US market from Mountain View, California, and introduced new products at OEMs such as Bose and SiriusXM in 2018. Another major growth segment in the United States for StreamUnlimited is the Internet of Things (IoT) and household
Picture: Knapp
nent of the Paris Climate Agreement. This strategy has its beginnings with the administration of Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger, who is still a powerfully eloquent climate action hero with his Renewables (R20) Initiative.
Europe’s largest motorcycles manufacturer is on a path of growth in the United States with its brands KTM and Husqvarna Motorcycles.
World Champion Austria High-end research
Robotic sensor skins and the latest quantum computers The renowned Houska Prize awards particularly innovative research projects from Austria.
I
Picture: B&C/APA Fotoservice/Greindl
n May 2019 , Austria’s best research projects were awarded the B&C Foundation’s Houska Prize at a gala night at the Voestalpine Steel World. Viennese Blue Danube Robotics GmbH left the other four nominees in the category “Research & Development at SMEs” behind and won the main prize worth 150,000 euros. “We are more than happy that our development is being appreciated in such a way,” says Managing Director Michael Zillich. “We serve a growing demand in the market with Airskin – no other company is able to do this in the same way.” Airskin is a pressure-sensitive skin for every type of robot, grippers and tools. In the event of a collision between the robot and an employee or an object, the collision sensor responds and instantly triggers an emergency stop. Additionally, the soft pads dampen the effects of force that could occur until
Erich Hampel, CEO of the B&C Foundation, project manager Michael Zillich (Blue Danube Robotics) and Wolfgang Hofer (Member of the Board at B&C)
the machine finally comes to a standstill. It is quickly installed and connects directly to the robot controller instead of a safety fence and thus enables collaborative applications. In addition to standard products for common types of robots, the company also offers customised solutions. Another five projects were nominated in the category “Academic Research”. Researcher Wolfgang Lechner won the Houska Prize worth 150,000 euros for the University of Innsbruck, having developed specialised quantum computers to solve optimisation tasks more efficiently than previous algorithms. The applied LHZ architecture, which has been patented in the meantime, could set new standards and give Austria a leading role in the development of quantum computers. The scope of application ranges from drug research to logistics problems and machine learning. Other research highlights The runner-up in the category “Academic Research” was Bernhard Seifert from the University of Applied Sciences Wiener Neustadt for developing a highly integrated indium ion drive for small spacecrafts to minimise their mass. Using efficient drive technology is a major contribution to weight reduction. Electric engines that are based on the principle of field emission (FEEP) are considered particularly promising. FOTEC, the research company of the University of Applied Sciences Wiener Neustadt is developing such FEEP systems, fuelled by liquid indium. This allows for small thrusts with a high efficiency. Microsatellites can change their orbit with this system, larger satellites can align their position with high accuracy. The development of porous crown emitters allowed for a massive increase of the thrust, which was the breakthrough. Thanks to the success of this technology, the spin-off Enpulsion was established with the aim of commercialising FEEP in Wiener Neustadt. The first engine has already been sold and other products are currently planned.
Picture: B&C/APA Fotoservice/Greindl
34_35
Expert in quantum optimisation: Project leader Wolfgang Lechner (2nd left) with his team of the University of Innsbruck (Department for Theoretical Physics)
The runner-up in the category “Research & Development at SMEs” was Christian Grosche of Cubicure GmbH from Vienna with the project “Hot Lithography”. Cubicure solves a problem in 3D plastics printing. Due to insufficient material properties or surface quality and precision, additively manufactured plastic parts have not made it from design models and prototypes to the industrial production of technical or medical parts. For the first time, highly viscous materials can be processed in lithography-based 3D-printing using the Hot Lithography approach. The results are extremely precise polymer parts with excellent surface quality, high strength and heat resistance. Hot Lithography enables new applications and tools, especially in the aerospace and automotive sector as well as in other engineering fields. In addition, the audience at the gala night voted for their favourite project to win third place. In the category “Academic research”, project leader Alexandr Ovsianikov from the Vienna University of Technology came The Houska Prize Award was designed by Upper Austrian artist Michaela Schupfer. She was inspired by actress and inventor Hedy Lamarr (1914-2000).
third for his project Disrupt 3D – high resolution printing for industrial application. In the category “Research & Development at SMEs”, third place went to Surgebright GmbH from Lichtenberg (Upper Austria) for the project Shark Screw. Surgebright is the world’s first and only company to make screws from human bones and to form tissues with a precision of 0.02 millimetres. By now, more than forty clinics in Austria perform surgery with the Shark Screw. ◆
The fifth million will come soon Austria as a business location needs innovative and forward-thinking research in order to stay competitive. Since 2005, the Houska Prize of B&C Privatstiftung aims to improve research conditions and high-end research in Austria. So far, 4.3 million euros in prize monies was awarded. www.houskapreis.at
World Champion Austria Industry overview
Telecommunications – the indispensable 7-billion-business The telecommunications sector is of major significance for the business location Austria. Now, 5G is coming!
S
Picture: Drei
ervices and applications such as open data, e-government, e-commerce, smart cities, social media and all kinds of streaming services could not exist in today’s high quality if it were not for the telecommunications infrastructure and the corresponding high internet speeds. Digitalisation has found its way into our lives. “Digitalisation is backed by a significant economic output and the telecommunication providers, who make all this possible with their networks,” says Klaus Steinmaurer, Managing Director of the Division Telecommunication and Postal Services at the federal Broadcasting and Telecommunications Regulatory Authority RTR. In 2012, the average mobile data usage amounted to less than 25 million gigabyte per quarter. In the six years until 2018, usage went up fifteen-fold to 373 million gigabyte. In order to highlight the
CEO Jan Trionow: “3 went live with 5G in Linz.”
economic significance of the Austrian telecommunications sector, RTR commissioned a study at the business research institute Economica. 6.96 billion euros According to this study, the telecommunication sector’s gross value added amounted to about seven billion euros and encompassed 79,380 jobs in 2018. ”This includes the preceding and subsequent business areas such as the production of glass fibre cables and the letting of telecommunication systems,” the study’s author Christian Helmenstein, Head Economist of the Federation of Austrian Industries VÖI and Head of the Economica Institute explains. Some of the gross value added is indirect effects: The entire telecommunications sector receives intermediate inputs from other sectors that create added value in turn. These indirect effects amount to two billion euros. The resulting industrial effects equal 229 million euros; they come about as the entire telecommunications sector generates income which in turn increases consumption and total demand. Thus, they create further added value. The telecommunications providers themselves created 4.33 billion euros in added value in 2018. This is the sum of intermediate inputs to the amount of 1.16 billion euros, the added value they create themselves (3.03 billion euros) and the resulting added value of consumption of 138.85 million euros. “The output of the telecommunications sector is therefore the prerequisite for a functioning digital economy and a modern society,” Helmenstein says. 3 pushed 5G: rollout in Linz Austria’s first real and comprehensive 5G network is the 3 (Three) Group’s first and one of the world’s first. In the first half of 2019, 3 equipped 20 transmitters in Linz with 5G for the network’s launch. The company aims to supply the entire city and further regions in Austria with 5G by the end of 2019. “The
36_37
A few practical examples “We are interested in the potentials of new technologies when it comes to shaping our future,” says Horst Hörtner, Head of the Ars Electronica Futurelab. “5G is very exciting to us in the context of swarm control of drones and robots. It is a field that we successfully work on both from an artistic and a scientific point of view. On the other hand, we have developed Deep Space 8K, a prototypical infrastructure that allows for completely new types of applications thanks to its combination with the bandwidth and the very low latency of 5G.” Together with telecommunications supplier ZTE and the Carinthian company IOT40, 3 came up with the Bee-O-Meter, a smart beehive that does not only count the outgoing and incoming bees but also surveys the surrounding environment and alerts beekeepers of measurable negative impacts on the bee colony. Furthermore, 3 cooperates with PlayGiga: The Spanish company has developed a cloud gaming platform that allows telecommunications businesses to stream popular games via 5G and without a console straight to the tv, smartphone of virtual reality device. Remote piloting and wine surveillance Driving a heavy goods vehicle without a human in the driver’s seat is no longer a futuristic idea thanks to 5G and data transmission in real-time. A lorry is driving across the premises of the 3 headquarters in Vienna without any hiccups. The driver is at a virtual steering wheel in Linz; he receives all necessary visual information in realtime and without delays. All his inputs in Linz go straight to the lorry in Vienna and make sure it arrives safely at its destination – even though we are talking only about a model lorry so far.
Picture: Drei
areas will depend on where 5G is needed the most,” Jan Trionow, CEO at 3, explains. Commercial launch will take place this year as soon as enough locations have been connected. 3 also underwent a speed test at the launch of the 5G network in Linz: Fast.com, Netflix’s speed test, recorded peak download rates of almost one gigbit/second. This figure will rise soon, as 3 can’t use the entire frequency range yet. Being one of two providers, 3 acquired the necessary frequencies at the Austrian frequency auction in March 2019 for a launch in the same year. All other Austrian providers will start offering their 5G networks in 2020.
The 5G network in Linz is one of the world’s first.
A new digital canary bird makes wine cellars more secure and sounds an alert if the CO2 levels exceed a critical limit. Thanks to a Narrowband-IoT (NB-IoT) uplink, Kanari is connected to the outside world and calls for help if danger awaits underground. This data is also documented in a cloud solution. With NB-IoT, the low bandwidth allows the device to remain connected even at large distances from the transmitter and deep underground.◆
The value-added effects of the telecommunications sector Top ten sectors Telecommunications services Information technology and services Management and consultancy services IT devices, electronic/optical products Construction and other expansion works Real estate services Business services Financial services IT and consumer goods repairs Retail services (without vehicles)
mln euros 2,474 1,144 702 224 170 118 80 71 66 65
Distribution of the top ten sectors in the value chain in million euros. Source: Economica
World Champion Austria Sector portrait
Country of mountains, country of forests, country of timber Austria’s wood processing industry has been benefitting domestically and abroad from a dynamic upswing in construction for more than three years.
T
Foto: Schweighofer
he Austrian timber industry showed that wood is still in high demand with a record production worth 8.33 billion euros and an increase of 5.4 percent in 2018 compared to the previous year. “Several factors made this great result possible,” says Erich Wieser, head of the trade association. “The generally booming construction sector and the fact that wood as a building material is becoming domestically and internationally more and more popular, particularly in high-rise buildings, resulted in these figures. In addition, wood was available in abundance thanks to a high number of calamity wood.” The sector is also boosted by political and social opinions on the biobased economy: Being a renewable raw material, wood has an advantage over fossil resources.
The Austrian timber industry has become more innovative and competitive.
The timber industry employs 26,382 people in Austria and is remaining on the level of past decades. With 1,224 businesses, the sector is an important employer, particularly in structurally weak regions. The timber industry includes about 1,000 sawmills, businesses from the furniture, skiing and wooden board sub-sector as well as construction companies. The majority are family-run small and medium-sized enterprises. In 2018, the highly export-oriented sector recorded an increase of 6.6 percent in its total volume of about six billion euros. The average export ratio amounts to 70 percent; thereof almost two thirds go to other EU-countries. For the time being, there is no fear of a slowdown in demand as there is still a high level of investment need both domestically and abroad. In Austria, building production will grow by one to two percent over the next two years. The Austrian wood processing companies should also see a slight increase in export orders; they already generate about 45 percent of their turnover abroad. The Italian construction sector in particular, which is the second-most important market behind Germany with 16 percent of all exports, will offer a higher growth in demand than in the previous years. There, the building sector should see a faster upswing thanks to the increase in residential construction expenditure 2019/20. Innovative The success of the Austrian timber industry in the last few years mainly results from a favourable business envi-
ronment and the sector’s high competitiveness. This is based in turn on the abundance of wood in Austria but also on the tightly knit interlocking of sectors and the high specialisation of the companies. To achieve this, businesses underwent a comprehensive restructuring process, made high investments and increased their innovative capacity significantly: The share in innovative companies was already at 40 percent in 2012 according to an EU-survey and rose to 50 percent as of lately. This puts Austria firmly in the upper third of the EU-wide sector. Furthermore, the Austrian timber industry managed to achieve high increases in productivity over the last few years across all major sub-sectors. The added value per employer of 70,000 euros makes the productivity of the Austrian timber industry about twice as high as the EU-average. The export figures show that the competitiveness in the segment of premium timber products grew faster than the average. Over the last two decades, the export surplus of timber (products) went up more than two-fold to 1.7 billion euros; the highest growth came from the product group “other wood products”, which is mainly windows, doors and packaging from wood. The export surplus in this product group went up from 35 million euros in 1997 to 824 million euros. The foreign trade balance of wooden boards, veneers and sawn wood also improved. The export growth of other wood products and the high export prices compared to the import prices result in the conclusion that manufacturers do not only secure their market position with cost reductions and price adjustments but also with the specialisation in premium niches. The raw material supply needs to be safe A central future challenge for the sector is the continuous supply with wood. The effects of climate change in Europe have become noticeably stronger and cause large numbers of calamity wood due to windbreak, snowbreak and bark beetles. The timber industry as a reliable buyer of damaged timber is only part of the solution – in future, significant investments into the infrastructure is needed in order to make use of the additional number of logs. “In times of extreme silvicultural situations, we need more commitment from politicians and a closer cooperation along the entire value-added chain so that we can successfully play a role in an internationally highly competitive environment,” says Erlfried Taurer, deputy head of the trade association and spokesman for the wooden board industry. ◆
Picture: Schweighofer
38_39
The development of the sub-sectors Wood construction: The ongoing trend in wood construction and products results in continuous production increases. 2018 saw a growth of 2.5 percent. Wood glue components, wooden window and door frames went up the most. Furniture: 2018 saw an increase in production of almost five percent to 2 billion euros. Business in the core market that is Europe keeps expanding. Shop fitting saw the highest export growth with 22 percent. Wooden boards: Increases in domestic sales, the production of chipboards and full production capacities keep securing jobs for about 3,000 people in structurally weak regions. Skiing: The winter season 2018 saw positive sales figures, an offer that is as diverse and of such high quality as never before, and a skiing sector that opened up the emerging market China with its know-how and contributed strongly to Austria’s economy. Sawmills: 1,000 companies and about 6,000 employees make up a large and successful sub-sector. In 2018, Austrian sawmills were able to further increase their already high timber production to 10.4 million cubic metres, making the sub-sector the ninth largest in the world. Foreign trade went up by 8.6 percent to 5.9 million cubic metres, ranking Austria seventh in the world. http://www.holzindustrie.at
World Champion Austria Industry overview
Faster, higher, longer – and more profitable than the building sector Sports as an economic factor is much more important to the business location Austria than most people would probably think.
Satellite account sports The methodical instrument to measure the macroeconomic share of sports is a so-called satellite account. It serves to not only include the core areas of sports such as the operations of clubs and sports facilities but also to encompass all other areas that are connected to sports, such as the production of sports goods, retail, building activities, the education and health system. A detailed look at these figures shows that the hotel sector and gastronomy profit the most from sports with 3.9 billion euros of added value, followed by the educational system and retail. Sports’ core area – the operation of clubs, the activities of professional athletes, trainers and the operation of sports facilities – is only in sixth place with 920 million euros behind the health system and land transport. Driver of employment Sports-related employment amounts to a share of 7.13 percent or 295.000 jobs, making it even more relevant than the share in added value. Sports thus creates and secures as many jobs as the hotels
sector and gastronomy together, and more than the building sector. And: The number of people employed in the area of sports exceeds the number of inhabitants in the province of Burgenland. For the first time, the fiscal contribution of sports was calculated: Around 123 million euros flow back into the state’s coffers through taxes and levies. About half of this figure is made up by wage-related taxes and levies. The biggest beneficiaries are the federal state (41.6 percent) and social insurance carriers (31.7 percent), followed by the provinces and the communities. European champion Austria These figures are particularly impressive when compared to other European countries: Sports’ direct share of 4.2 percent of the gross domestic product is double the EU-average of 2.12 percent and
Picture: SK Rapid Wien/Dodge and Burn
A
ccording to the latest findings of SportEconAustria, the Institute for Sports Economics, Austria is on top of all EU countries when you compare the sports economy by the share in the gross domestic product and employment. Still, sports as an economic factor is still being underestimated in Austria in terms of its macroeconomic significance, the experts at SportEconAustria say. If you take a look at the results of the latest study on the economic relevance of sports in Austria you will see that sports are directly responsible for 5.75 percent of the added value. This means that its share in added value is higher than the building sector’s, double as much as the share of financial services and six-fold higher than agriculture’s share.
Picture: Tourismusregion Wels
40_41
higher than in all other EU member states. It is therefore not farfetched to say that Austria is the European Champion when comes to the economic contribution of sports. With direct employment effects of 5.6 percent, Austria is also ahead of neighbouring Germany with 4.6 percent and sports-mad Great Britain with 3.8 percent. This arises from the high significance of sports tourism in Austria: 58 percent of all overnight stays, that is 63 million of overnight stays per year or 172.000 per day, are sports-related. Thus, sports tourism in Austria is as strong as the entire tourism sector in Croatia or Poland. Socio-economic effects on top These figures are remarkable, but it is even more remarkable that they only register the economic part of sports that are covered by macroeconomic accounting. Therefore, these results do not reflect all sports-relevant aspects. The economic dimension of sports as a driver of innovation, for example, is therefore not covered by these numbers. If you want to show the entire economic significance of
sports, you need to also visualise and quantify the contribution of volunteers in sports. The significance of volunteer work is not covered by macroeconomic accounting as there is no money changing hands. Accordingly, no original gross added value is generated. Still, volunteer work makes a significant economic contribution, which is estimated to be 0.88 percent of the EU’s gross domestic product. The value of volunteer work therefore exceeds the economic contribution of clubs, the operation of sports facilities and professional athletes, trainers etc. by 2.5-fold. Another important aspect that is only covered insufficiently in macroeconomic accounting are health-related costs. Only the costs caused by sports accidents are registered but not the benefits of physical activities and the costs of ongoing yet avoidable costs due to physical inactivity. Today, the direct costs in the health system that are caused by physical inactivity amount to 1.7 billion euros annually. In addition, there are indirect costs of 750 million euros triggered by sick leave, invalidity and mortality – and they keep on rising. ◆
World Champion Austria Meeting industry
Experts from all over the world are coming to Austria The Austrian meeting industry organises more than 21,000 events per year – and the number of guests and overnight stays keeps on rising.
T
share of 59 percent. 121 events took place at the Austria Center Vienna, where 88 percent had been certified as Green Meetings. “In addition to the Austria Center Vienna as a permanent congress facility and green location, as well as the green catering partner Motto, we specifically selected hotels with the Austrian or European Eco Label. That way we could motivate a number of hotels to turn their management eco-friendlier,” says Regina Preslmair, responsible for Green Meetings at the Ministry for Sustainability and Tourism. “The many international – and of course also domestic – guests do not only appreciate our hospitality but also the excellent quality of our portfolio and the innovative capacity of Austrian businesses. On top of that, the meeting industry is a business sector with a high value chain. It contributes thus significantly to the positive development of Austria as a science and research location,” explains Petra Stolba, Managing Director at Austria Tourism (Österreich Werbung). “In 2018, we developed the convention brand with the slogan ‘Your success is our passion’. The advertise-
Focus on sustainability – Green Presidency 2018 Sustainability is constantly gaining in significance in the meeting industry and Minister Elisabeth Köstinger set out to achieve a “Green Presidency” during Austria’s EU Presidency: “As Minister for Sustainability it is particularly important to me to make the Austrian EU Presidency even more sustainable, together with my ministerial colleagues. Therefore, we wanted to certify as many of our international events as possible as ‘Green Meetings’ according to the criteria of the Austrian Eco Label. I am proud to say that 100 percent of the Ministry’s events have met these high environmental standards and hope that we will find as many followers in other member states as possible.” Austria hosted 249 international events during the Presidency. Thereof 147 were Green Presidency Meetings, which equals a
Christian Mutschlechner, President of the Austrian Convention Bureaus, Petra Stolba, Managing Director at Austria Tourism (Österreich Werbung) and Regina Preslmair from the Ministry for Sustainability and Tourism
Picture: ÖW/Christian Lendl
he latest Meeting Industry Report of the Austrian Convention Bureau (ACB) and Austria Tourism (Österreich Werbung) recorded exactly 21,381 events in the year 2018. Despite the slight decrease in registered events by 1.2 percent, both the number of participants (+0.2 percent) and the number of overnight stays (+0.1 percent) went up. The most positive development among these figures comes from the category of seminars compared to congresses and corporate conferences. It was the only category of events that saw an increase both in numbers (+2.2 percent) and participants (+7.4 percent). In total, about 1.7 million people took part in events in Austria. The average duration per event remained stable across all categories with about two days. The share of overnight stays for meetings amounts to 2.3 percent of all touristic overnight stays in Austria. After the successes in 2017 this was another year that confirmed the meeting industry as a stable business segment.
Picture: Hofburg Vienna/M. Seidl
42_43
The Imperial Palace, Vienna: The former residence of the Emperors is one of the prime locations for congresses and conferences, fairs and exhibitions, banquets, concerts and balls.
ments that we designed around the topics conference, congress, seminar and incentive winter/summer mirror the highly professional organisation, the hospitality and Austria’s location in the heart of Europe.”
and creative. To stay up to date with the latest developments, things such as conference rooms designed by clients, an increased interaction among participants and edutainment need to be taken into account when investing.”
The upswing in international congresses Investment activities of the meeting industry Congresses held a share of 22.8 percent of all types of meetings In winter 2018, the ACB surveyed the implemented and planned with exactly 4,883 events and were the most-visited segment with investments from 2015 to 2020 by Austria’s conference venues. 53.3 percent of all participants. The total investment volume Even though they saw a amounted to the princely sum slight decrease of 4.3 percent, of more than 250 million euros. “The Meeting Industry Report underlines Austria’s the overall number of particiAbout 38 percent of the incompetence as one of the world’s leading destinapants went up by 1.2 percent. vestment volume was subsitions for conferences.” Overnight stays generated by dised by monies from the mucongresses amounted to 2.5 P e t r a S t o l b a , M a n a g i n g D i r e c t o r a t A u s t r i a To u r i s m nicipalities, provinces and the million in 2018 (+2 percent), Austrian federation. The rewhich is almost three quarters mainder was provided by the of all overnight stays connected to meetings. The average durabusinesses themselves and through other means of financing. tion of congresses has been at about two days for the last five The investments went into the expansion and renewal of years. equipment as well as into digitalisation. ACB President Christian In 2018, there were 3,8 percent more international congresses Mutschlechner says: “Ongoing investments into hardware and compared to the previous year, which were on average shorter software are necessary in order to meet the constantly changing but equally big. needs of customers. Events are becoming more and more flexible
World Champion Austria
_44
Picture: Petra Rainer
Meeting industry
The Culture and Congress Centre Montforthaus Feldkirch (Vorarlberg) underwent extensive conversion and reconstruction in 2015.
Compared to national congresses, the international ones were on average a day longer, had double as many participants per event and recorded a significantly higher number of overnight stays. Austria is particularly popular among large congresses Since recordings began, small and medium-sized congresses with up to 500 participants make up more than 90 percent of the congress business. They were predominantly national congresses in 2018 too, whereas congresses with more than 500 participants were predominantly international ones. The number of large congresses (more than 2,000 participants) remained stable with 16 national and 25 international events. They generated particularly many participants and overnight stays, making them an important economic driver. For the first time, all three autumn months September, October and November were on top when it came to the number of events and the number of participants. Autumn thus remains the main season for congresses with a share of about 40 percent of all congresses and participants. The second-most important season for congresses was spring (March to May) with almost 30 percent of all events and participants.
Company events account for the lion’s share With 11,089 company conferences, the event category saw once more the largest share of the conference business (51.8 percent). While 86 percent fewer foreign companies hosted such events in 2018, the number of national ones went up by 1.6 percent. Despite the slight decrease, international companies still had the largest share in international events in Austria with 63.8 percent. On average, they were bigger than the national ones with 30 percent more participants. Despite the general decrease in the total number of events, the provinces Vienna (+ 10.3 percent) and Vorarlberg (+8.5 percent) saw an increase, mainly generated by national events. Thanks to a rise in international events, Upper Austria also saw an increase of 5.4 percent. In total, more than one third of all registered events took place in Vienna while almost two thirds were hosted in the other provinces. This means, that the capital managed to increase its share by 4 percent. This put Vienna in first place, followed by Salzburg (16.7 percent) and Lower Austria (13 percent) as in the previous year. The number of participants also remained stable across the provinces: Vienna was on top with almost 50 percent, followed by Salzburg (12.5 percent) and Tyrol (8.5 percent). When it comes to overnight stays, Tyrol (12.9 percent), Salzburg (10.2 percent) and Styria (7 percent) all stayed behind Vienna (55.2 percent). ◆
Paid Advertisement
Vienna supports business. Apply
f o r f u n d i ng n ow .
viennabusinessagency.at
World Champion Austria Absolutely worth seeing
Thinking outside the borders: Schönbrunn goes China The Imperial Palace Schönbrunn and its zoo are focusing on China and now even have a presence on WeChat.
A
More than one billion users One of these initiatives is a new presence on WeChat, China’s most used app with more than one billion users. With 350,000 visitors in 2018, the country was Schönbrunn’s most important Asian market. SKB, Schönbrunn Zoo and Austria Tourism have started a market initiative to advertise on this app and reach Chinese travellers. It uses digital marketing customised to the Chinese market to attract free independent travellers foremost.
“Austria’s most-visited sights are becoming trailblazers among domestic attractions by advertising on WeChat in close cooperation with Tencent,” says Petra Stolba, Managing Director of Austria Tourism. Digital services that have still barely been implemented in Austria or are even considered futuristic are already part of everyday life in China. Schönbrunn Zoo also wants to attract more visitors specifically from China. After all, rare Giant Pandas, China’s national pride and a symbol of the friendship between Austria and China, have been living at the zoo since 2003. Currently, the share of Chinese guests at the zoo amounts to 0.5 percent. “Being the oldest zoo in the world combined with imperial charm and modern zookeeping, we have an attractive and unique selling point,” says Dagmar Schratter, Director of Schönbrunn Zoo. “With more than 700 types of animals we can always offer something new and we are looking forward to sharing our animal news in China on WeChat.”
Picture: Österreich Werbung
ustria’s most visited attraction with about four million visitors per year is the Imperial Palace Schönbrunn followed by the Schönbrunn Zoo with two million people. Ranked by nationality, Asians are the most frequent visitors ahead of Germans and Americans. “Even though we are very happy about the rising number of visitors, we put a lot of emphasis on the best protection of Schönbrunn’s historic structure and the soft integration of modern tourist infrastructure,” says Klaus Panholzer, Managing Director of the Palace’s operator Schloß Schönbrunn Kultur- und Betriebsges.m.b.H. (SKB). “In addition to measures that safeguard or recover the original look of the imperial facilities, we focus on cooperations with other businesses as well as new initiatives and offers to get people all around the world interested in the imperial heritage and world of the Habsburgs.”
Schönbrunn Zoo and the Imperial Palace are using WeChat for their focus on China.
The new guidance system In order to maintain Schönbrunn’s position as a crowd puller and to expand on it, it is necessary to offer visitors a unique experience. SKB is already doing that e.g. with digital technologies. Being Austria’s top tourist destination, it is particularly important to offer good orientation and crowd management. SKB is working
Picture: Daniel Zupanc
46_47
Petra Stolba, Managing Director of Austria Tourism, Dagmar Schratter, Director of Schönbrunn Zoo, and SKB Managing Director Klaus Panholzer
with the Austrian Institute of Technology (AIT) on an innovative project to guide the stream of visitors, making it a trailblazer in this area. In addition, SKB is coming up with a new guidance system for the entire grounds of the Imperial Palace to have a coherent solution on all levels. The new guidance system will be implemented by the end of 2020 and allow for the best-possible orientation, pushing the experience and the safety of visitors to an even higher level. In order to increase the customer satisfaction, SKB optimised the online ticket platform “Imperial Austria”. Visitors can get their tickets online to avoid long delays at the entrance, making their experience more relaxed. Two new passes offer combined entrance to the Imperial Palace and the zoo: The Classic Pass Plus combines six parts of the Schönbrunn grounds in one ticket – the Imperial Palace, the Crown Prince Garden and the Orangerie Garden, the Labyrinth, the Gloriette viewing terrace and the zoo. There is also a new pass for families: It gives access to the
Children’s Museum Schönbrunn Palace, the labyrinth, the Labyrinthikon playground and the zoo. ◆
Austria‘s world-class imperial heritage The Schloß Schönbrunn Kultur- und Betriebsges.m.b.H. (SKB) administers Schönbrunn Palace, the Imperial Furniture Collection and the Imperial Apartments in the Vienna Hofburg, including the Sisi Museum and the Imperial Silver Collection, in other words, the greatest attractions of Austria’s imperial heritage. SKB is in charge of the conservation and renovation of the cultural monuments. The necessary monies come in full from SKB’s own revenues. http://www.schoenbrunn.at
World Champion Austria Analysis of the provinces
The provinces keep stepping it up Carinthia and Styria are still the growth leaders in the ranking of the gross regional product. Western Austria benefits from tourism and retail.
L
ike in previous years, provinces with a high industrial share and a high export ratio have also had an advantage in 2018, as they could benefit the most from a global upswing. Styria saw the highest growth with 3.4 percent, followed by Carinthia with 3.2 percent. These two regions, however, have also been hit the hardest by the slowdown of the global economy that started in the second half of 2018. Accordingly, the strong growth of Austria’s real GDP in 2018 of 2.7 percent will decelerate to 1.4 percent in 2019 with growth being carried by domestic demand.
trial strongholds in 2018, achieving an increase in the gross regional product of 2.8 percent. Salzburg and Tyrol also saw a growth of 2.8 percent as they too benefitted from a good year for tourism and a strong retail sector. Burgenland with its very small industrial share grew by 2.1 percent. Recently, agriculture was left wanting after having contributed a third of the growth in 2017. Being the province with the lowest industrial share, Vienna still recorded a growth of two percent thanks to positive developments in the energy sector, in tourism and in business-related services. Thanks to the strong global upswing, 5.7 percent more goods were exported than in 2017, surpassing the threshold of 150 billion euros for the first time. Styria saw the largest export growth of all the provinces with an increase of more than ten percent. Vienna propped up the export ranking. Austria’s capital was the only region that saw a decrease in exports. All other provinces saw a growth in exports of 4.5 to 7 percent.
Picture: Andritz
The industrial sector as a growth driver The Austrian industrial sector saw its added value grow by 4.7 percent in 2018, which was on a similar level to 2017. “In the wake of the strong industrial sector and the export economy, business-related services such as employment placement and transportation were well on the up,” says Robert Schwarz, economist at UniCredit Bank Austria. Therefore, provinces with a strong industrial sector were among the growth leaders in 2018. Right after Styria and Carinthia, Upper Austria and Lower Austria came third with 3.1 percent growth, also having strong material goods sectors. Vorarlberg is also an industrial province but could not quite The export economy is of utmost significance for the Styrian industrial sector. keep up with the other indus-
Growth in the building sector In 2018, the real added value of the Austrian building sector rose by 2.6 percent and, just as in 2017, remained below the level of the industrial sector. Upper Austria and Vorarlberg recorded the highest growths. Structural building and the building trade saw a strong increase in production.
Picture: Miba
48_49
Upper Austrian automotive supplier Miba was awarded the Export Prize in Gold in the category “Industry”.
The unemployment rate went down for the second year running across all provinces. In 2028, the average unemployment rate amounted to 7.7 percent in Austria, compared to 8.5 percent in 2017.
Infrastructural programmes for Upper Austria The new “Electricity Masterplan 2028”, signed off in July 2019, aims to make the Upper Austrian energy supply even more effective and thus safer with 34 different projects and an investment sum of one billion euros. The regional planning programme “Tabakfabrik NeuBau 3” wants to give a strong impetus to the innovation and start-up hotspot Tabakfabrik in Linz. An area of 10,900 sqm will have 5,500 sqm of premises, which will strengthen the project itself as well as the further development of the urban area around it.
For the first time, Tyrol had Austria’s lowest unemployment rate with 4.9 percent, while Vienna still had the highest level with 12.3 percent despite a heavy decrease. “Despite a slowdown in growth we also forecast a downturn in the unemployment rate across all provinces,” Robert Schwarz says. The effects of Brexit on the Austrian provinces In 2017, British demand for Austrian goods and services created an added value of 4.3 billion euros or 1.1 percent of the Austrian GDP. “With the United Kingdom staying at least until the end of the transition period in December 2020 in the EU single market, the short-term effects on the Austrian economy would be fairly low,” expects UniCredit Bank Austria Head Economist Stefan Bruckbauer (as per our editorial deadline in September 2019). Great Britain is Austria’s ninth most important export market. The three most important export goods are machinery, parts for the automotive industry and electrotechnical goods. They make up more than three quarters of exports to the United Kingdom.
World Champion Austria Analysis of the provinces
Picture: Alpla
between Austria and the The share in regional exports United Kingdom. “In total, to the United Kingdom compared about 40,000 jobs are affectto the export total of each proved directly or indirectly by ince is the highest in Styria with demand from the United 4.1 percent. That figure is also Kingdom; that’s 1.1 percent above average in Upper Austria of all jobs,” Schwarz says and and Vorarlberg with 3 percent adds: “Upper Austrian maeach. chine construction with 1,200 “Due to the increasing globalijobs and 800 jobs in the Styrsation of production networks, ian automotive industry are export figures are not synonyaffected the most by trade mous with the added value. In with the United Kingdom.” almost every Austrian export Vorarlberg has the highest good you can find foreign added numbers of jobs relatively – value – just like there is Austrian 2,800 or 1,7 percent of overall added value in many export The employment market in Vorarlberg will be affected the most by Brexit. employment – depending on goods of other countries,” Robert the United Kingdom. In absolute terms, Vienna comes first with Schwarz explains. The exports of the German automotive industry, 8,300 jobs connected to the United Kingdom, followed by Upper for example, contain a significant part of Austrian added value. Austria with 7,500 jobs and Lower Austria and Styria with 5,900 Divided by sectors, the machine construction (480 mln euros), jobs each. the metalworking industry (370 mln euros), the automotive sector (280 mln euros) and the production of electrical equipment (210 mln A potential deterioration of the export environment euros) generated the highest added value through British demand On 15 May 2019, the US government decided to postpone the infor foreign goods from Austria. troduction of higher import taxes on vehicles and vehicle parts by “Depending on the various strengths of a province, they benefit six months. The danger of protectionist measures remains high differently from exports to the United Kingdom,” Schwarz says. though. A slowdown in Ameri“Upper Austrian machine concan demand for European cars struction generated the highest due to higher import taxes added value with almost 250 “Provinces with a high industrial share in the would hit the automotive secmillion euros, followed by the added value have an advantage in the economic tor in Styria and Upper Austria. Styrian automotive sector with growth.” “Styrian automotive exports 124 million euros of added valcontribute about 0.8 percent to ue thanks to trade with the S t e f a n B r u c k b a u e r, H e a d E c o n o m i s t a t U n i C r e d i t B a n k A u s t r i a the overall regional added valUnited Kingdom.” ue of the province,” says The regional added value Schwarz. In Upper Austria, the second-most affected province, the generated from merchandise exports from the UK in relation to the share of the automotive exports only amounts to 0.2 percent overall regional added value is negligible with 1.1 percent in Vorarthough. lberg to 0.3 percent in Vienna. Upper Austria and Styria with their It remains a fact, however, that a hard Brexit and/or an instrong industry come behind Vorarlberg with 1 percent each of crease in American import taxes on European cars will have British share in the regional added value. This share amounts to 0.7 noticeable effects on the economic growth and the employment percent in Tyrol, 0.5 percent in Lower Austria and Salzburg each in those provinces with a large industrial sector such as Styria, and 0.4 percent in Carinthia. In addition to merchandise exports, Vorarlberg and Upper Austria. ◆ service exports also play a major role in the economic relationship
World Champion Austria
50_51
Provincial capital on the up
One billion for Klagenfurt The new Aviation City Klagenfurt with a logistics centre, technology park, hotel etc. will see the creation of 5,400 jobs.
Picture: Flughafen Klagenfurt
nal and offer passengers amIn August 2019, the new majorple shopping opportunities ity owner of the Airport Klagenincluding restaurants and eatfurt, Lilihill GmbH, has preeries. The new owners also sented the expansion plans for plan to completely overhaul the airport. The aim is to handle the baggage logistics, the one million passengers per year ground services, the infrainstead of the 230,000 today; structure and the fuelling systhe company wants to invest tem for better service, shorter more than one billion euros ground time and a more reoverall. According to Managing laxed travel experience. Director Karl-Georg Eisner, Two new hangars will quite literally no stone will be house additional parking left unturned. spaces for general aviation By 2024, the airport will be business and a new Flight rebuilt almost from scratch and Maintenance Centre will offer the new terminal will be loThe idea is to have “Europe’s most modern airport” in Klagenfurt maintenance services for a cated where the hangars can large number of common business planes. After the final stage be found today. Eisner calculates an investment of 260 million of expansion about 375,000 sqm of the 580,300 sqm big area will euros. A hotel with 250 rooms will be connected directly to the be built-up and commercially usable. ◆ terminal. An exhibition centre is planned for 2030 and 110 million euros will be spent on 8.6 acres. The biggest part is the “Avimotion TecPark” in the South of the airport’s land. A 61 acres big technology cluster will be erectThe ambitious plans of Lilihill Capital Group ed; Eisner calls it a “trailblazing development and application centre for the fields of autonomous and alternative mobility”. Lilihill Capital Group was founded in 2001 and has its headLilihill will invest 480 million euros and create 4,000 jobs. A further quarters in Vienna plus an office in Klagenfurt. Carinthian 140 million will go into a new, expandable logistics centre. Franz Peter Orasch is the sole proprietor. Lilihill operates as a holding company in the areas real estate, “New Airport”, an urban area with an exhibition centre investments and equity holding as well as agriculture. The first step of the modernisation process is the new umbrella The catchment area for the new airport consists not only of name “The New Airport Klagenfurt”. Over the next few years the Carinthia but also of the bordering regions in Slovenia, Italy, “Aviation City” will be built, turning the airport’s grounds into a Salzburg and Styria with about 3.5 million people. dynamic economic centre. https://www.lilihill.at The check-in area, the gates and the arrivals area will be renovated. An “Aviation Mall” will be integrated into the termi-
World Champion Austria City of industry
Capital grounds for industrial operations The Federation of Austrian Industries considers Vienna’s positioning and the continuous cooperation significant factors for success.
T
Picture: Xxxxxxxxx
he City of Vienna and the Federation of Austrian Industries have already signed five location agreements as the most important basis for their cooperation. Another important document is the Viennese Social Partners Digitisation Pact, concluded by the Federation of Austrian Industries, the City of Vienna, the Vienna Economic Chamber, the Austrian Trade Union Federation and the Vienna Agricultural Chamber. It consists of eight items to make Vienna an “international digitisation hotspot”. The topics range from scholastic education to higher learning and professional further education but also include measures from the fields of science, infrastructural expansion and international marketing.
Stefan Ehrlich-Adam, Head of the Department Industry at the Vienna Economic Chamber and Karl Sagmeister, Managing Director of Schneider Electric
“These positive developments will give us tailwind as we face a large number of tasks,” says Wolfgang Hesoun, President of the Federation of Austrian Industries, who is also CEO of Siemens AG Austria in his “day job”. “It is of utmost importance that we continue to enhance our contacts to the City’s political decision-makers and its administration. In addition to the regular informal contacts, we will implement various projects with the City of Vienna from next year on. Signing the Digitisation Pact helps strengthen our relationship to the City and the Pact itself will also enable us to fine-tune the entire range of activities of the six partners in the field of digitisation while setting new, common priorities – just like with the Qualification Plan in the field of education.” Europe’s largest waste water treatment plant uses technology from Vienna “It’s time to put industrial companies in the spotlight and show what they achieve all around the world,” says Stefan Ehrlich-Adam, Head of the Department Industry at the Vienna Economic Chamber. Therefore, the campaign “Global Vienna. The Viennese Industry” was set up in summer 2019, running all across the city, internationally and online to showcase flagship projects. One of these flagship projects is Schneider Electric: “I’m happy to be part of this campaign that puts Viennese production companies in the spotlight,” says Managing Director Karl Sagmeister. The frequency converters that his company makes in Vienna-Floridsdorf help make plants all around the world more energy-efficient. Schneider Electric products can be found in a waste water treatment plant in France, for example. It is the largest in Europe and treats two thirds of Paris’ waste water. “For years, we have been working closely with various research facilities. Our products are used all around the world to reduce CO2 emissions and to protect the environment.”
Picture: EVVA
52_53
Security company EVVA was founded in 1919 and is still a strongly technology-driven Hidden Champion.
Did you know that… … thanks to a Viennese company Australia has the world’s first tramway with specially fitted surfboard mounts? (Bombardier Transportation Austria) … one of the world’s best universities of technology, the Curtin University in Australia, is kept secure with locks from Vienna? (EVVA Sicherheitstechnologie) … the beer at the brewery Enschede can flow thanks to industrial switches from a Viennese company? (Kraus&Naimer) … a Viennese company planted more than 30 million trees around the world in 2018? (Mondi) … a company from Vienna-Floridsdorf protects a railway construction machine in New Delhi with a high-tech coating from UV rays and other environmental impacts? (Rembrandtin Lack) … Viennese drivetrain technology keeps a hotel complex in Dubai up and running? (Schiebel Antriebstechnik) … a Viennese company helps Bolivia to become South America’s energy hub? (Siemens Austria) … big-bags from Vienna are loaded onto ships in the Philippines? (Starlinger) … “Dominant”, the most-played and best-known violin string in the world was developed in Vienna? (Thomastik-Infeld) … the announcements at Europe’s highest ropeway on the Matterhorn are made through a system from Vienna? (Kapsch Group) ◆
Viennese products are successful all around the world Vienna’s 550 industrial companies secure about 140,000 jobs. This corresponds to the number of inhabitants in the 9th and the 11th district. Every year, 91 companies train 900 apprentices. At the same time, these companies secure Vienna’s future: Every year they invest one billion euros into research and development. It is therefore hardly surprising that Viennese products are used all around the world. Two thirds of turnover is generated abroad, amounting to 17.6 billion euros.
World Champion Austria Institutions introduce themselves
Business Location Advocate for jobs and added value It is a big step. As of 1 July 2019, Vienna has a Business Location Advocate, established by federal law. The idea for this new position came from the Vienna Chamber of Commerce and Industry after long delays and negative campaigning around projects such as the Lobau Tunnel and the third runway for Vienna Airport.
The model calculation for Vienna’s new event venue Assumed fictitious building investment for a new event venue: 200 to 250 mln euros Macroeconomic effects: GDP Vienna: Jobs in Vienna:
213 mln euros 2050
Additional wages:
99 mln euros
Additional tax yield in Austria:
96 mln euros
Operation = assumed annual operational effects: 45 mln euros turnover and 94 mln euros additional yield due to additional tourist expenses (e.g. overnight stays) Macroeconomic effects due to the operation: GDP Vienna: Jobs in Vienna:
128 mln euros 1,400
Additional wages:
56 mln euros
Additional tax yield in Austria:
68 mln euros
Picture: Florian Wieser
Rome wasn’t built in a day, the saying goes. The Colosseum, for example, was constructed over a period of eight years. Today, just getting the planning permission for such a project takes as long. But jokes aside, the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) for major infrastructure projects can take a very long time. Vienna’s sixth crossing of the Danube with the Lobau Tunnel and the third runway for the Vienna Airport took nine and twelve years respectively. In addition, projects by the motorway authority ASFINAG, the Austrian Railways ÖBB or the Vienna Airport, for example, are always met with strong opposition from environmental activists, action groups and non-governmental organisa-
Walter Ruck, Head of the Vienna Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Business Location Advocate Alexander Biach and Mayor Michael Ludwig
tions. They all have legal standing in the Environmental Impact Assessment and may present their objections. Deadlines are often exploited to the limit and are pushed back by constantly presenting new motions or objections. The project applicant is often out on his own against a phalanx of project opponents. This is changing fundamentally with the Business Location Advocate. From the idea to the law The Vienna Chamber of Commerce and Industry first presented the idea of installing a Business Location Advocate in 2016. “We wanted to make sure that macroeconomic effects such as new jobs or rising prosperity are taken into account as well as environmental protection.” explains Alexander Biach, Vice Director of the Vienna Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
54_55
Picture: LexPress
For several months, the Vienna Chamber of Commerce and Industry lobbied for the installation of an Business Location Advocate and was eventually successful: The Business Location Advocate was established by federal law at the end of 2018. Since 1 July 2019, the economic chambers in Austria’s provinces act as Business Location Advocates; the legislative authorities gave them legal standing in the Environmental Impact Assessment proceedings. This is a major step as the international competition for (business) locations is becoming tougher and tougher. Cities keep growing fast, people have a higher demand for mobility. Digital networks need to be expanded. Cities and regions with a modern infrastructure are one step ahead. “Acting as Vienna’s Business Location Advocate, I am a proponent and supporter of infrastructure development much to the benefit of everyone who lives and works here,” says Alexander Biach, who was entrusted with this function and heads a team at the Vienna Chamber of Commerce and Industry. Vienna’s Business Location Advocate does more Since Vienna has always been a little bit different from the other provinces, the new Business Location Advocate also has a further reach than elsewhere: The City of Vienna and the Chamber agreed to extend the competences established by federal law to provincial law: Biach and his team will also look at those projects in Vienna and give their opinion where there is no need for an Environmental Impact Assessment. This includes for example projects for the expansion of the public transport network and the road infrastructure, as well as local zoning in general and urban expansion projects such as Aspern. A decree from Mayor Michael Ludwig and the City of Vienna made this possible: “An important reason for Vienna’s economic strength is the close and good cooperation between the City and the Chamber of Commerce. The new Business Location Advocate and his powers underline once more that the social partnership is working well in our city. And that is good for Vienna,” Ludwig says about the cooperation.
Walter Ruck, President of the Vienna Chamber of Commerce and Industry, sees the Agreement on the Future Relationship between the City of Vienna and the Vienna Chamber of Commerce and Industry, signed in 2018, strengthened by the mayor’s decree: “We are beginning a new chapter in the cooperation between economy, politics and population. This will take Vienna a big step forward”, Ruck says. Facts on the infrastructure development Thanks to this new decree, projects such as the planned new event venue in Vienna fall under the Business Location Advocate`s competences. It is still not clear whether the new venue will need an Environmental Impact Assessment. Together with the City of Vienna as the project applicant, the Business Location Advocate will calculate the macroeconomic effects of the projects and thus bring these facts to the public discussion. The Business Location Advocate has a special tool for this, which was developed by the Society for Applied Economic Research (GAW). Based on comparable data from an event venue in Germany, there is already an exemplary model calculation for Vienna’s new event venue (see box). If we assume investment costs of 200 million euros, Vienna’s GDP would grow by 213 million euros and more than 2,000 jobs would be secured in the city. These are arguments that speak in favour of the project. The Business Location Advocate is going to be in dialogue with the City of Vienna, the municipal departments and of course the infrastructure operators and the project applicants. In the near future, the Environmental Impact Assessment for the expansion of the junction line S80 will start. The Business Location Advocate will be involved as much as with the new event venue or the new long-distance bus terminal. Biach is keen to stress one thing: “Environmental protection is of major importance in Austria. As Business Location Advocate, we also want to protect the environment while developing the infrastructure for our children and grandchildren. Our aim is to give future generations in Vienna and in Austria the best conditions to lead a good life.”
World Champion Austria Leading company
A hub for all of Europe and beyond Vienna Airport is appreciated globally as a Central European airport with more than 200 destinations in more than 70 countries.
V
Pictures: Flughafen Wien
ienna Airport is an important hub that benefits from several factors: the geographical location in Central Europe, an ideal road infrastructure with motorways linking Western and Eastern Europe, flights to more than 205 destinations, a high passenger service quality (e.g. a minimum transfer time of only 25 minutes), a transfer function in particular for destinations in Eastern Europe, a complete infrastructure and ongoing structural adaptation to future needs, and a leading position in passenger and freight handling. With turnovers from the non-aviation business increasingly gaining in importance, Vienna Airport is constantly expanding its business areas. The focus is on settling non-aviation businesses at and around the airport, on travellers, their companions and those working at the airport. All of them are considered service customers that can use the entire infrastructure of the airport complex.
Günther Ofner and Julian Jäger, Members of the Board at Vienna Airport
Constantly new records In 2018, Vienna Airport achieved a new record and surpassed the threshold of 27 million passengers for the first time. Thanks to the excellent transport development, the entire year of 2018 saw a growth of more than ten percent. Other records from 2018 are more than 100,000 passengers handled in a single day and almost 2.8 million passengers handled in one month (August). Constant expansion In April 2018, the ground-breaking ceremony for the state-of-theart “Office Park 4” took place. It will offer an additional 26,000 sqm of office and event space in the heart of the Airport City Vienna starting in May 2020. The state-of-the-art office building will offer rooms flooded with light as well as cutting edge technologies on ten floors. Two floors of event space, spacious meeting zones, a kindergarten, restaurants and local amenities will provide a perfect environment for future tenants and will enhance the working experience and feel-good factor of the employees. Ample parking capacities will continue to be available thanks to the building’s own underground car park and Car Park 3. A new pedestrian bridge will directly connect the grounds of Office Park 4 and Terminal 1 as well as the public transportation CAT suburban railway train. The aspects of energy efficiency and sustainability were also prioritised in the building planning. For this reason, the “Office Park 4” project was granted the platinum pre-certificate by the Austrian Sustainable Building Council (ÖGNI). Vienna Airport is investing about 60 million euros in this trailblazing construction project. The “Office Park 4” was already awarded the platinum pre-certificate by the Austrian Sustainable Building Council (ÖGNI) before it was put into operation for prioritising ecological and sustainable aspects. Due to its innovative design, “Office Park 4” will be one of the most energy-efficient
Picture: Flughafen Wien
58_57
Vienna Airport aims to become Europe’s next five-star airport with the latest expansion and modernisation plans.
buildings at Vienna Airport in the future. The latest building technology including an optimised thermal insulation and an optimised design of the façade are being used. Geothermal energy – heating and cooling with thermal energy – is playing a major role. CO2-neutral by 2030 Minus 70 percent CO2 emissions and minus 40 percent energy consumption – that’s the result of Vienna Airport’s latest sustainability report: “Thanks to our comprehensive sustainability management in all areas of the company, we can achieve our target of being one of the first CO2 neutral airports by 2030,” says Günther Ofner, Member of the Management Board of the Airport’s operating company Flughafen Wien AG. To achieve this, the airport is working on a number of measures: The reduction and optimisation of energy consumption, the use of CO2-free energies, switching to electromobility on the apron, the expansion of photovoltaic facilities and the use of geothermal energy for heating and cooling, an increase in public transport options and the railway expansion to Bratislava, as well as new noise fees for louder aircrafts. “The quick implementation of ‘Single European Sky’, the unified European airspace, would be a priority action for air traffic control. This would cut jet fuel consumption by 10% and also reduce the number of delays and air traffic congestion,” Ofner says. “The research focus on developing alternative drive systems and new drive technologies is also important. Air traffic represents the first industrial sector showing a path towards growth in a CO2-neutral manner thanks to the European system
of certificate trading (EE Emissions Trading System, ETS) and the global CORSIA rule.” Vienna Airport itself sets a good example and will compensate for all flights relating to its own operations by purchasing CO2 certificates, for example from Climate Austria. The fourth photovoltaic facility at the airport covering an area of 8,000 sqm will be put into operation in August of this year. As a result, the entire area covered by the photovoltaic facilities in operation at Vienna Airport has been expanded to 23,700 sqm. Each year they generate about 1.8 million kilowatt hours of electricity, sufficient for the annual electricity consumption of some 600 households. Planning for the fifth photovoltaic facility is already in fully swing.
Indispensable for the business location Austria Being one of (Eastern) Austria’s largest employers, the sector (airport, airlines, ground infrastructure and suppliers) generates about 72,700 direct and indirect job in Austria if you take its significance for the tourism sector into consideration, says the Institute of Industrial Sciences. The salaries paid by the airport founded in 1938 contribute a large amount to the Austrian spending power. c Annual turnover: 753.2 mln euros c 4,624 staff Vienna Airport, 1300 Wien-Flughafen, +43 (1) 70 07-0 https://www.viennaairport.com
World Champion Austria
Electric vehicles on the rise At present, the fleet of electric-powered vehicles deployed by Vienna Airport consists of more than 380 e-vehicles. The biggest potential to save fuel and thus reduce CO2 emissions is to operate electric-powered utility vehicles for aircraft handling. Several projects are being implemented at the present time. Catering vehicles are gradually being replaced by e-powered ones. The conversion of ground power units from diesel-driven generators to those running on batteries is being tested at the moment, and the airport is about to purchase 40 electric passenger buses. Vienna Airport will invest more than 30 million euros into this by 2020. The new e-vehicles should also decrease diesel consumption by at least one million litres per year. Moreover, Vienna Airport boasts the world’s first electric charging station featuring the Chakratec flywheel energy storage technology. It is located at the K3 short-term parking area on the arrival level. Other large-scale facilities are being planned. The conversion of the airport’s lighting and advertising systems to LED has been largely completed. Measures are also being taken to reduce the level of noise. A new model of noise charges should motivate airlines to operate in Vienna with quieter aircraft. In particular, new types of planes with new engine technologies have significantly lower noise levels than older jets. This measure is designed to be an incentive for airlines to deploy new, quieter aircraft in the future. Driver of growth for Austrian tourism “Many passengers are business travellers and participants in congresses,” says Member of the Board, Julian Jäger. “Vienna is one of the world’s most popular tourist destinations and one of the world’s top five congress locations.” This secures jobs in the hotel and the gastronomy sectors. The Vienna Tourist Board calculates 18 million overnight stays by 2020. Thanks to the appealing flight connections, tourists and congress participants can come to Vienna and secure the numerous jobs in the hotel and gastronomy sectors. “The airport focuses on customer orientation and a high service quality,” Jäger says. “This is seen in the numerous awards that our airport received and will keep receiving.” The Airport Council International (ACI), for example, awarded the Airport Service Quality Award in Gold and the market research institute Skytrax awarded Vienna Airport for the third time running with the “Best Airport Staff in Europe” Award.
Picture: Flughafen Wien
Leading company
The newly designed “Pier East” will go into operation in early 2023.
Excellent numbers In the first half of 2019, business kept developing positively: The number of passengers at the entire Airport Vienna Group went up by a fifth to 18.1 million, turnover rose to 401.4 million euros, net profit increased by 14.6 percent to 82.9 million. Vienna Airport reported a 22.4 percent rise in the number of passengers it handled from January to July 2019 to a total of 17.8 million. 2019 will turn out to be a record year in the airport’s history in terms of passenger volume and will likely reach the level of about 31 million travellers, making it the strongest for the entire business and tourism location. The Vienna Airport Group including the foreign strategic investments in Malta Airport and Kosice Airport (Slovakia) handled a total of 18.1 million passengers in the period January to June 2019, comprising a year-on-year rise of 19.9 percent from the prior-year level. Of the 18.1 million passengers overall, almost 14.7 million (+23.9 percent) flew through Vienna. Revenue generated by the Vienna Airport Group improved by 7.5 percent to 401.4 million euros, and EBITDA improved by 9.3 percent to 183.1 million euros. EBIT increased by 12.1 percent to 117.2 euros million, the net profit climbed 14.6 percent to 82.9 million euros. The free cash flow rose from 72.1 million euros to 76 million euros. Thanks to the good transport development, Vienna Airport calculates a passenger growth for the entire Group and for Vienna of “far more than ten percent” to 31 million. A rise in the financial figures is also projected: Turnover will go up beyond 830 million euros, EBITDA to more than 375 million euros and the net result before minority interest to more than 170 million euros. ◆
World Champion Austria
58_59
Bright future
Huge success for Legitary In June 2019, a spin-off from the Vienna University of Technology came out on top at the world’s most important competition for music start-ups. The big success stories start at the Midemlab: Global brands such as Kickstarter or Soundcloud were finalists in this competition and turned out huge. This year, an Austrian start-up qualified for the final for the first time – and went on to win it. Legitary, which is a spin-off from the Vienna University of Technology, was awarded first prize in the category “Marketing & Data/Analytics”. Legitary was founded by mathematician Nermina Mumic. She wants to revolutionise music streaming services and make them fairer. Her software aims to ensure that artists get their fair share of royalties.
enna University of Technology. They aim to make the music industry more transparent and fairer.
Picture: Legitary
Mumic’s music pattern Legitary, the spin-off from the Vienna University of Technology that Mumic founded based on her statistical work, capitalises on the fact that fluctuations in download figures happen according to typical patterns. There is a connection between hits on various platform and there are certain temporal patterns. If you now simply look at the official figures, you can hardly distinguish real from fake data. Intelligent statistical methods, however, make this possible. Statistics for more fairness Legitary thus gives artists a The music industry has become Nermina Mumic wants to make the music industry fairer with her company Legitary tool that lets them find out simsimpler yet more complicated ply and quickly whether these figures are most probably correct or at the same time. Simpler for music lovers, who can get new songs whether an online platform might try to cheat them out of their in a few seconds from the internet, yet more complicated for the money. industry and artists who need to share their income in a fair way. Legitary received support from the Innovation Incubation CentAs long as music was sold exclusively on LPs or CDs, this issue was er at the Vienna University of Technology. Furthermore, Mumic was easy: You simply counted the number of sold items and allocated supported by Vice Dean Anna Steiger as part of a mentoring propayment accordingly. But how can an up-and-coming rock band gramme. “This award is a huge recognition of our technology by retrace how often their songs were clicked on major international the music industry, especially as the jury in this category was starplatforms such as iTunes, Spotify and YouTube? How can you be studded this year,” Nermina Mumic says. “Legitary thus drew atsure, that the number of downloads is really correct? tention from many important players – we have already made Statistician Nermina Mumic was working on mathematical tools several contacts during Midem.” www.legitary.com ◆ to identify fraud with high accuracy for her dissertation at the Vi-
World Champion Austria ADVERTORIAL
Austria’s capital city is a top business location
Strategy “Vienna 2030” International rankings of quality of life and innovation show how well-placed Vienna is by comparison across the borders. The capital city generates an annual gross regional product of 92 billion euros and the city’s administrators invested more than 2.6 billion euros in 2019 alone. Vienna never stops and keeps establishing itself more and more, and even stronger, as a location for economy, research and innovation. In 2019, the strategy “Vienna 2030” will come into action with the help of the expert panel “Vienna Economic Council 2030” and numerous other experts. Creating high-quality jobs will be achieved through the right investments, efficient and customer-friendly administrative structures, stable public finances, a focus on research and development and international top positions of Viennese businesses. Record business settlements In 2018, 221 international businesses, 30 more than in 2017, settled in Vienna. More companies came to Vienna than to all other eight provinces – and that brought in 231 million euros of investments and 1,753 new jobs. And: 2018 was the eighth year in a row that saw an increase in international settlements in Vienna. The capital city is also a hot sport for start-ups: The “Global Talent Competitiveness Index GTCI” ranks Vienna in fourth place and thus far ahead of well-known start-up cities such as Berlin and San Francisco. The Vienna Business Agency actively offers “Vienna Start-up Packages”, which allow start-ups to make their first contacts and prepare their establishment in Vienna.
Four important links: wirtschaft.wien.gv.at wien.gv.at/mba digitaleswien.at viennabusinessagency.at
Pictures: PID/Christian Fürthner (2)
An economic journey with stops at the Seestadt Aspern, the municipal departments and the many innovative offers around business settlements, subsidies and digital building application.
The business location Vienna is colourful!
Subsidy programme for digitisation projects Until 2021, the Vienna Business Agency offers small and mediumsized enterprises additional subsidies of 1.5 million euros per year with its programme “Vienna Digital”. Small businesses with up to ten employees will receive up to 10,000 euros for minor digitisation projects. Larger businesses with up to 250 employees get up to 30,000 euros for more complex digitisation measures. One example of such a successful digitisation project is the ice cream parlour “Leones Gelato”, which developed a software for its ice cream production with help from the Vienna Business Agency. Thanks to a combination and evaluation of weather forecasts, ice cream stock and customer requests, the ice cream production has become more efficient and customers can see the available flavours at the parlour online in real time.
60_61
Technology Centre Seestadt, where the future is happening The Technology Centre Seestadt is a place for technology-oriented businesses and start-ups. It meets the highest standards in sustainability and energy efficiency, and it has produced more energy than it needs in a year since its completion in 2012. The climate-neutral construction in a passive house standard ensures that the building remained cool even during the heat wave of 2019 and stays warm in winter. Only pollutant-free materials were used for the entire construction and the interior air quality meets the highest standards. Building 1 (TZ 1) houses a total The urban development area Seestadt Aspern in Vienna-Donaustadt of 7,100 sqm premium production spaces, offices and storage spaces: 23 flexible rental units for having to painstakingly copy plans. The new service is voluntary about 250 work spaces, offices spaces between 180 and 820 sqm and you can still apply by paper. per floor, multifunctional spaces between 380 to 460 sqm and small offices starting at 13 sqm with a common infrastructure. In Information and consultation at the municipal departments addition, there is a restaurant, a conference area, an underground The 16 municipal departments and their manifold tasks are the car park with charging points for electric vehicles as well as nucity administration’s port of call for Vienna’s inhabitants – and of merous bicycle parking spaces and an e-bike charging station in course for businesses! front of the building. They constantly hold project open houses for small and mediThe Technology Centre was expanded recently and now inum-sized enterprises, offering advice from experts from e.g. the cludes a second building (TZ2) with 5,600 sqm rental space. A Vienna Business Agency, the Economic Chamber, the health and third building is already planned; upon completion, 17,500 sqm safety office, the department for technical business issues, elecof space will be available for innovative technology businesses tricity and gas issues, the fire authority and the events authority. and research projects from the area Internet of Things, Industry 4.0 and smart production. The project “Digital School” The youngest members of society already benefit from these Digital building application measures: In summer 2019, the Viennese schools started a comEvery year there are about 13,000 building applications. As of 18 prehensive expansion of their WiFi networks. The project “Digital June 2019, building applications can be done online by uploading School” will see investments of 40 million euros and is part of the the necessary documents and plans. Furthermore, you can start City of Vienna’s digitisation strategy. On the one hand 12,000 a digital plan archive with the documents from your online apaccess points are set up through classrooms, on the other hand plications. This allows for a quick and easy inspection without digital tools are being developed to enable future digital learning.
World Champion Austria Industry 4.0
AI, flexible production and digital production networks The Viennese Center for Digital Production (CDP) is flying high two years after its establishment.
T
constantly growing circle of about 40 business partners that includes users and technology providers. The COMET Programme enables the unbureaucratic promotion of application-related research and development projects with 45 percent funding. The CDP takes care of the administrative side of things for its customers. “We implemented about 16 projects with an overall volume of ten million euros in our first two years,” says CDP Managing Director Christoph Pollak. The projects and references read like a whois-who of the Austrian and international industrial sector: BECOM, EATON, die EMCO Group, ESA, Heid Antriebstechnik, Melecs Electronics, Nemak, Neumann Aluminium, Novomatic, ÖBB, OeKB, Pimpel, Schaeffler, System7 Railsupport, Szukitsch software development, TTTech and Welser Profile, to only name a few.
Pictures: CDP (2)
he Center for Digital Production at Seestadt Aspern in Vienna is one of the leading research and development platforms in the fields of flexible production automation, machine-to-machine communication, machine learning and digital production networks. The high-tech institute was established in August 2017 and supports production and manufacturing businesses with the digital transfer and the development of innovative digital methods. These things shall help the companies to stay at the top or to get there. The CDP employs more than 30 people from academia and the industrial sector. In addition to scientific partners such as the Vienna University of Technology, international institutions such as ETH Zurich and the Tokyo Institute for Technology, there is a
Center for Digital Production: 16 projects with an overall volume of ten million euros were implemented in two years.
Modelshop Vienna & OeKB-BS: Virtual production network This digitisation pilot project has a high significance for the business location Austria: In the trailblazing virtual production network made by CDP, several smaller units can become a larger production construct and operate fully automatic as a compact digital unit. The traditional production processes at Austrian small and medium-sized enterprises is thus on par with major international corporations. This solution gives access to new, previously unreachable types of orders. Modelshop Vienna is a worldwide active competence centre for 3D-printing, injection moulding parts, prototypes, mock-ups and working models. Customers come from the most different sectors such as automotive, telecommunication, electronics, domestic appliances and aerospace technologies. Being a classical tier 3 hired producer, Modelshop Vienna makes plastics parts, the partner company then coats them and puts them together. Thanks to digital production systems, companies are connected through a detailed exchange of data for optimum production. This results in better production results, quicker processes and an improved competitive position. The data exchange between business units is very sensitive from a corporate point of view. Who gives up their own data and knowledge voluntarily? This can cause interferences in the whole orchestrated production process. In order to avoid such friction in advance and to guarantee planning security, the production-relevant data is separated from the overall data and is only put into a digital production mask. The CDP won OeKB Business Services GmbH (OeKB-BS) as a partner. The subsidiary of the Austrian Control Bank OeKB acts as an information broker and ensures that all data is handled in a confidential and protected manner, that all partners have the necessary data and that everyone involved can be sure that no sensitive data is passed on. The projected started in 2018 and is expected to be put into operation in the second half of 2019. A flexible and adaptive production system for EVVA Founded in 1919, family business EVVA is a developer and manufacturer of mechanical and electronic access systems. The site in Vienna researches, develops, produces and exports to all parts of
Picture: P. Wilke
62_63
“We want to contribute to digitisation in a sustainable way, to increase the number of customers by 50 percent over the next four years and to expand our focus as a prime solution provider in digital production to Germany and Switzerland.� CDP Managing Director Christoph Pollak
the world. EVVA’s portfolio covers everything from traditional mass production in small and medium-sized batches to standard products and customised solutions. The company approached the Center for Digital Production for a flexible and adaptive production system that is able to make customised items in the same time as standard products. Thanks to the CDP solution, the production time of customised items increased by at least four-fold, the standard products have become cheaper and the increased automated production generates numerous cost advantages. EVVA will shortly commence pilot production and the system will be put into operation in October 2019.
World Champion Austria
Picture: CDP
Industry 4.0
Some of CDP’s clients are the EMCO Group (pictured), ESA, Heid, Neumann Aluminium, Novomatic, ÖBB, OeKB, Pimpel, Schaeffler, TTTech and Welser Profile.
ÖBB-TS: System prototype “Minimum Viable Product” TS Technische Services GmbH is a subsidiary of the Austrian National Railways ÖBB. 4.000 skilled staff at 25 locations are responsible for the maintenance and development of rail vehicles and their components. Its three pillars are safety, technology and customer-orientation. The TS site in Knittelfeld services wheelsets for passenger cars and cargo cars. In order to detect the need for maintenance early and to optimise the in-works resource planning, a new production planning and control system is needed. TS needs a system prototype for its IT system – a clearly defined software template for IT companies that can implement future control systems. In order to realise this sophisticated requirement, TS took CDP’s experts on board. The solution makes everything clear to external system developers, which in turn helps saving costs. The future production planning and control system based on the CDP prototype will also allow for a significant increase in productivity.
The project was started in 2018 and the system prototype will be finished in autumn 2019. Digital simulation for waffle production The Haas Group from Leobendorf (Lower Austria) is renowned as the world market leader in the manufacturing of production plants for waffles, cookies and sweets. Haas generates a turnover of about 300 million euros with its 1,750 staff worldwide. Since 2018, the company is part of the Swiss Bühler Group. The Haas brand was absorbed into the Group and the site in Leobendorf is now the “Business Unit Wafer” in Bühler’s “Consumer Food Group”. The global success of the Group is a result of constant innovation. Together with the CDP, the company created a unique digital planning instrument for the optimum configuration of waffle production lines. CDP’s digital simulation of waffle production allows for a better, faster configuration and a quicker and more exact calculation at Bühler and its customers. The first prototype was finished in April 2019; further functions will be added in future. ◆
World Champion Austria
64_65
Digitising the industrial sector
Industry 4.0 for the future The Austrian industrial sector focuses on digitisation. More and more new technologies are used in production.
Picture: Festo
4.0; about three dozen AustriIndustry 4.0 aims to prepare an companies already underproduction companies and went it. It measures how well their staff for the industrial fuIndustry 4.0 is entrenched in a ture. Representatives from company in order to identify politics, science, businesses, and implement potentials for and employer and employee improvement. This successful associations have been workproject has already been exing together for about four ported to Hungary. “This goes years in order to find the right to show that cooperation is not framework for digital change. only an important motor for In a comparison of the 28 Industry 4.0 on a national level EU member states Austria but also regionally and internaranks seventh when it comes tionally,” says Hofstädter. to people prepared for digitisaAnother topic for the future tion. Austria also ranks in the is artificial intelligence, which top ten when it comes to the will change the industrial secintegration of digital technolotor e.g. with machine learning gy. In order to improve the and smart production robots. ◆ positions in these rankings, The platform Industry 4.0 Austria speeds up digitisation in the industrial sector. digital production needs to be put on a solid and sustainable basis. It rests on three pillars: qualification & work to give staff the right digital skills; research The platform Industry 4.0 Austria & innovation to keep up competitiveness; businesses & sites to secure productivity. The organisation comes up with projects and ideas to ensure the dynamic development of the Austrian production sector, Cooperation as the key to success to push innovation and qualification and to contribute to a Since its inception in 2015, the platform Industry 4.0 has shown high-quality working environment and a high level of employwhat is possible through cooperation: 50 members propose their ment. ideas for Industry 4.0 in Austria. Nine task groups work on differIt aims to help companies and employees to make best use of ent sunrise topics. “We see ourselves as a control centre for the the latest technological developments and digital innovations, digitisation of the Austrian industrial sector by bringing together making society’s digital change socially compatible. stakeholders, working on sunrise topics, suggesting and promoting specific projects,” says Kurt Hofstädter, CEO of the platform Industry 4.0 Austria. One of these projects is the capability maturity project Industry
http://www.plattformindustrie40.at
World Champion Austria Leading company
Safety and quality as factors of success across borders With the focus on safety and quality, TÜV Austria Group supports the healthy growth of companies in Austria and the world over.
F
Picture: TÜV Austria Group/Saskia Jonasch
ounded on 11 June 1872 by representatives of the industry and technical experts as the “Dampfkesseluntersuchungsund Versicherungsgesellschaft auf Gegenseitigkeit“ [Steam Boiler Inspection and Insurance Company], TÜV Austria has been a leading testing, inspection and certification company in Austria as well as Central and Eastern Europe for almost one and a half centuries. It offers industrial services, (laboratory) tests, oversight, certifications, IT security, technical consulting and much more. The highly dynamic development of the internationally operating company can be clearly seen at the Digital Acceleration Incubator “Next Horizon” at the TÜV Austria Campus Wien-Süd in Brunn am Gebirge. There, new and disruptive models are developed and tested on the market: Industrial cyber security for connected production plants, collaborative and mobile robotics as well as safety assistance systems with user-focused design. All these trends have one thing in common: The increasing relevance of safety and the strong coalescence of the topics functional safety and IT security.
CEO Stefan Haas and CFO Christoph Wenninger
Vienna’s newest test and research cluster The new TÜV Austria Technology & Innovation Center in ViennaInzersdorf is taking a forward-thinking approach to technical safety and security along the digital transformation path. “At our Safe Secure System Lab S3 Lab, we address challenges related to safety and security in the B2C, automotive and industrial sectors,” explains CEO Stefan Haas to “World Champion Austria”. “The interconnectedness involved has social and economic significance. It ranges from the web platform TÜV Austria Inspection Manager – an online application that makes all the important facts about a plant, a production line, a building or an entire municipality including the necessary testing and inspection obligations – to robotics and artificial intelligence visible at the click of a mouse.” In addition to ongoing expansion of the S3 Lab, an expanded automotive division is being created that focuses on electromobility and automated driving. The unit has its own practice grounds used in practical basic and further training in fire safety. New laboratory space is to further boost the Austrian testing, inspection and certification service provider’s innovative strength. Safe Secure System Lab (S3 Lab), EMC facility, competence centre for e-mobility and materials technology, product safety, state-of-the-art workplace environment: Not only TÜV AUSTRIA customers benefit from the Technology & Innovation Center, but also partners from research & development cooperation, such as TU Vienna, with which TÜV AUSTRIA operates its own Technical Experimentation and Research Association (TVFA). International operations In July 2019, TÜV Austria acquired a 51 percent stake in Sila Kalite and 26 percent of Sila Industry, expanding its service portfolio in Turkey, Turkmenistan and Russia as well as neighbouring countries such as Azerbaijan and Kazakhstan – exciting, huge markets with tremendous potential.
Pictures: TÜV Austria (7)
66_67
TÜV Austria Group, Austria’s leading testing, inspection and certification company, operates in more than 20 countries with connected solutions such as industrial services, robotics, e-mobility, materials testing and further education. TÜV Austria runs in addition to Austria’s largest EMV facility and largest radiation application room the SafeSecure-System (S3) Lab for the development of digitisation strategies and industrial applications for functional safety and cybersecurity.
Major international projects from the far reaches of Russia to the Black and Mediterranean Seas are a testament to the industry’s confidence in TÜV Austria Sila Kalite. In addition to nondestructive and destructive testing, the industrial service provider has proven itself successful and much in-demand in inspection & surveillance (including drilling equipment), such as magnetic particle and liquid penetration inspections, heat treatment, staff certification and training. Corrosion specialist and university spin-off METALogic from Leuven (Belgium) is also part of the TÜV Austria Group as of July 2019. “Particularly due to the high level of expertise in the areas of RBI (Risk Based Inspection) – supported by a corresponding software solution – corrosion engineering and testing of coatings, TÜV Austria significantly expands its expertise in this area,” says Haas. METALogic is a TÜV Austria license holder for the application of acoustic emissions, a technology that was further developed by TÜV Austria some 25 years ago and which METALogic has been using successfully for years, particularly for atmospheric storage tanks. Last but not least TÜV Austria acquired a majority stake in Russian Standards & Compliance LLC (S&C) in summer 2019. Standards & Compliance has been a cooperation partner of TÜV Austria since autumn 2018. “Since then, the certification business in Russia and the neighbouring CIS countries has been built up and expanded, numerous audits in the area of management systems have been successfully carried out with TÜV Austria
accreditation and local auditors have been appointed,“ Haas says, calling the participation in Standards & Compliance an investment in the global corporate future. Further acquisitions are already in the planning stages. Safety and quality are indeed global factors of success… ◆
About TÜV Austria Group The service spectrum of the TÜV AUSTRIA Group ranges from elevator and pressure equipment inspections, plant safety and materials testing, education and training, medical technology, electrical engineering, environmental protection, Industry 4.0, acoustic emission tests, carbon footprint evaluations, certification of personnel, management systems and products to cyber security, Internet of Things, e-mobility, AppChecks, loss adjusting, construction engineering and facility management, calibrations, product tests, robotics, technical due diligence and compliance checks, as well as water hygienics and inspections of stage, photovoltaic and wind power facilities. The independent Austrian testing, inspection and certification company with more than 2,000 staff in over 20 countries generates +200 million euros turnover. www.tuvaustria.com
World Champion Austria Leading company
Wienerberger celebrates its 200-year-anniversary Heimo Scheuch, CEO since 2009, speaks to Paul Christian Jezek about markets, products, strategies – and about the first 200 years.
M
r Scheuch, until recently Wienerberger was wrestling with the three billion euros threshold in turnover…. And we surpassed it clearly by now. In the past year we recorded 3.3 billion euros in turnover, which is a record result in our company’s 200-year history. But furthermore, we are leading the company into an even brighter future i.e. we are turning Wienerberger into a system provider beyond innovative products and solutions. What does that mean in detail? We are truly offering systems, for example wall-façade-roof, or when it comes to infrastructure, complete solutions – not only pipes but also the entire corresponding technology such as sensors etc.
Picture: Wienerberger AG
Wienerberger started out 200 years ago with bricks. What has changed since then?
Raineo, a systems solution for storing or redirecting rain water
Back then, it was all about providing the fast-growing cities with building materials, mainly Vienna, the capital of the Austro-Hungarian Empire. In this period, people thought in number of bricks to construct buildings. Today we are thinking of complete solutions, for example for energy-independent buildings. This has led to us not only providing products but also complete solutions. We are therefore planning and developing the entire building and supplying the client with it. Wienerberger has turned bricks into a high-tech product and itself into a provider of innovative building materials and infrastructure solutions. Where does Wienerberger operate with this concept? You can find us in 200 locations in 30 countries. We focused on our depth and not our range. Wienerberger’s strategy aims for market penetration. This means we want to have a stronger market position in fewer countries instead of operating half-heartedly in many countries. That is the only way to implement the changes in construction, modernisation and our innovation even better – by having big market shares. How did you achieve that? We gave up a few markets that we thought we couldn’t expand on anymore. On top of that, we sold off some of our business. We will keep doing this in future as we are evaluating our portfolio regularly. We only want to stay on those markets that either offer us chances for growth or potential for change and innovation. At the same time Wienerberger keeps adding new businesses… You will be able to observe this over the next three to five years: Wienerberger is acquiring specific companies to combine their
24. Mai 2019
WIENERBERGER
24. Mai 2019
EINE PRODUKTION DER MEDIAPRINT
D
GILBERT NOVY
Mrd.-€-Grenze überschritten“
68_69
rte
nheuoduker in
······························································
Zur Person
Wirhaoffen, wie etd von enten re Ziebauer e ProBaueinen h vom
Heimo Scheuch (geb. 15. 10. 1966) ist seit 1996 in der Wienerberger-Gruppe tätig. Seit Mai 2001 agiert er als Vorstandsmitglied, seit August 2009 als Vorstandsvorsitzender. ······························································
sanieie mit er ere könOberel und ng be-
einzel-
weise Plattanzen Häueinem er gedabei ehausm Kuntellen, . also ie Pladann u bauDir alle u bist
D Picture: Kurier/Gilbert Novy
sucht er wie o er alommt. unseohl im h im . Er beet und unden
CEO Heimo Scheuch: “We made good progress with our strategic projects over the last few months.”
wir darauf achten, dass wir einfach, aber dem ist nicht so. boxen (Anm.: Mehr darüber siehe S.7!), das Wasser strömt über eine klare Argumenta- Nehmen Sie als Beispiel eine ein und wird dort gesäubert tion verfügen, wir müssen vorgefertigte Ziegelmauer bzw. Ablagerungen bleiben Vorteile herausarbeiten und mit allen technischen Paraliegen, und dann geht’s weinatürlich auch finanziell metern: Diese müssen auch productssein. and solutions with through ordentlich verbzw.ours einge- and to distribute ter in them das Kanalsystem. wettbewerbsfähig Es existiert bereits ein baut werden, um im Gesamtour sales channels. Wo wird Raineo nachgefragt? konzept des Hauses wirksam sehr komplexer Wettbewerb In den verschiedensten mit Themen wie „Wo wird werden zu können. We created Weltgegenden! Der over Einbau Wert geschöpft?“ oder „Wie strong platforms in sales and in administration ist nicht ganz billig, aber es sind sie sozial integriert und Stichwort Innovation: the last few years. In the UK, for handelt sich um eine sehr was tun sie für die Local Com- Führt Wienerberger eine eigene F&E-Abteilung? wirksame Möglichkeit, z.B. munity?“ etc. examples, we have already Bei uns arbeiten tatsächdas öffentliche Kanalsystem olchen Also „können“ Ziegel auch mit lich ziemlich viele Personen, vor Überflutungen zu beplanned an entire area Holz oder Beton? die sichurban in ihrer Kernkompewahren. ändert Ich sage immer: Ziegel ist tenz mit einzelnen Produkabout houses with aund Da passen dann wieder Ihre m Be- ein sowith guter Baustoff, dass 40 er ten auseinandersetzen oben angesprochenen Systemn also mit allen anderen kombiniert deshalb druchaus auch forcouncil house builder. We also lösungen hinein ... werden kann. Wienerberger schen und entwickelt. Eben. Den Rohrbereich kann in allen möglichen BeWeiters gibt es ein Wiedevelop low nerberger energy Innovationslab house haben wir neu strukturiert, rtner- reichen zusammenarbeiten, weil wir im Wohnbau eine n die mitHolz–obdasStiegenoder mit der Möglichkeit, zeitweistandards offerfreizustellen, our cli-die starke Präsenz bei Gas, Wasl stär- Decken sind –, man that kann we se Personen ser und Kühlung erreichen nt. einen Betonskelettbau mit dann„überdenTellerrandhients foretc.construction. nausdenken“. wollen. Bei der Infrastruktur enken Ziegeln veredeln kommen wir ebenfalls mit was siWirmüssenhiervielpraghow far we already wie bei Raineo z.B., vermute frü- So smarten Lösungen, etwa mit , dass matischer That’s agieren an als ich. Sensoren,mitdenenwirmesschaf- her. went, i.e. taking over planning and then saying to the client: Das ist ein interessantes sen, was sich gerade“You im Rohr erden tu. Der dritte Bereich umfasst en bei Kann man Wienerberger be- Produkt, weil die Wienerbercan build this have it built, we will provide Beyou with all the Fertigteilproduzent be- or ger-Gruppe – in dem Fall und Entwässerungssysteterien reits als ng er- zeichnen? unsere Tochter Pipelife – wieme speziell für die Landwirtcomponents, butderum youimare Der Konzern produziert Sinnehaving unserer An-sole responsibility.” schaft, wo wir Lösungen voinzwischen eine ganze Men- fangsdiskussion an Systeme rantreiben, um klare Verbesustoff- ge Fertigteile, z.B. in den denkt. serungenzubewerkstelligen. onkur- Hauptmärkten Deutschland Dann werden die Böden Speaking of innovation – does itsSieown Das heißt, haben R&D seit der und Österreich. Für uns stellt bei Regen eben nicht versie-Wienerberger have bei- sich allerdings das Problem gelet, sondern sie werden mit Komplettübernahme von Pipeliagiert der Department? fe 2012 den Rohre-Markt beVerarbeitungskompe- einem Bodenbeleg wie etwa ativer tenz vom vorgefertigten Ele- PflastersteinenaufBetonversonders gepusht? WeEshave indeed a high of people working Ichwürdedasnichtsoformainly on indis Sys- menten. klingt immer so, sehen. Unternumber der Erde liegen mulieren, aber es ist völlig üssen als wäre Vorfertigung ganz Becken bzw. unsere Stormvidual products and are therefore doing research developrichtig,and dass Rohre ein wichtiger industrieller Bestandment too. teil unserer Gruppe sind, den sadresse) Autor, Produktion: Paul Christian Jezek, E-Mail: p.jezek@qmm.at wir weiter ausbauen und wo wortliche: Maria Dreschl, E-Mail: maria.dreschl@kurier.at wir uns stark positionieren wollen.
Und das „Produkt Ziegel“? Vor vier Jahren habe ich IhWir haben schon vor Jah- CEO Heimo Unser „ewiger“ Baustoff ren in Indien ein Werk ge- Scheuch beim nen gesagt, dass in Österreich wurde in den zwei Dutzend baut, entwickelt und bis heu- Interview mit bzw. in Wien zu wenig gebaut Jahren, in denen ich bereits te immer wieder vergrößert. Paul Jezek in der wird – und dass man diesbezüglich (Anm.: seitens der im Wienerberger-Konzern Wir sind zuversichtlich, dass Wienerbergerwein Indien haveweiter thewachsen Wienerberger Innovation and Zentrale Politik) mehrLab unternehmen tätig bin,Furthermore, immer wieder tot- wir muss. Das ist besser geworden, gesagt. Und das war und ist werden, während China kein can make staff temporarily available for it so they canhilftthink outnatürlich die Niedrigzinsvöllig falsch! Thema für Wienerberger ist. politik,undauch,dasssehrviel Denn Ziegel kommen unIn den USA performen side inthe verändert allenbox. Bereichen wir unverändert gut, auf den Geld im Umlauf ist – das ist gut zum Einsatz und machen im Brexit sind wir gut vorbereiso! Übrigen unverändert etwa tet. Wienerberger führt in UK Und was tut Wienerberger beim mittlerweile15Werke,diealas a product? Thema Recycling? le voll aktiv sind, und wir And your bricks „Wir verbessern die Jedes heutige Wienerberschippern zusätzlich noch eiLebensqualität mit In the two dozen years that I ger-Produkt ist wiedervertbar. niges an Ziegeln aus den Nienachhaltigen BauMan kann jeden Ziegel der derlanden und Belgien nach have been working at the WieProduktion hinzufügen, ebenGroßbritannien. stoff- und Infraso jedes Rohr und auch jeden strukturlösungen.“ nerberger Group, people have Der Heimatmarkt ist wohl der Plastikteil. Unser Recyclingstärkste? faktor liegt bereits bei etwa 50 said time andProzent. again that our zwei Drittel des WienerberNein, vom Umsatz her ger-Gesamtumsatzes aus. Im rangiert Deutschland auf Es gibt bei Wienerberger W i e n e r b e Wandgeschäft r g e r C E O H ePlatz i m oEins, S c hdae kommt u c h der be“eternal” building material zwei Kreisläufe: den geschloseigentlichen senen im jeweiligen Werk mit erwirtschaften wir etwas we- rühmte „Faktor 10“ ins Spiel. bricks is finished. niger als eine Milliarde €. Abfällen aus der Produktion. Was die Performance beUnd dann kan man von trifft, sind wir mit unserem out to com-etWie stellt sich Ihr Konzern so- großen Nachbarn aber noch And it turned außerhalb der be Produktion ziologisch dar? was zuführen. Allerdings gibt gar nicht ganz zufrieden, da pletely false every time and itvon still beingsogar used in WienerbergerhatimRahes manchmal zu wenig haben wir im Sinne Ver-is. Bricks are still men einer klaren Nachhaltig- besserung und Anpassung Recycling-Material. all types and still thirds of keitspolitik immer of denconstruction An- noch einen wichtigen geschlossene Kreislauf Weg make up aboutDertwo spruch, mit sämtlichen Sta- vor uns. ganz im Sinne von „Cradle-toWienerberger’s overall turnover. In the wall business, we generate keholdern fair, korrekt und Cradle“ existiert also schon Sehr entwicklungsfähig transparent umzugehen – ist Zentralosteuropa mit heute – oft sind aber Logistik under one billion euro. Tschechien oder der Slowaundjust das wird auch in Zukunft und Wirtschaftlichkeit diesbekei oder auch – etwas abgeso sein. züglich ganz wesentliche TheAls Publikumsgesell- stuft – Polen. In diesen Länmen! schaft sind wir verpflichtet, dern haben wir ordentliche Howund does Wienerberger sociologically? Last but not least: Wie begehen Wachstumsraten,act in Westoffen, ehrlich umfangSie das 200-Jahre-Jubiläum? europa nicht ganz so hoch, reich zu kommunizieren. We aim toStichwort alwaysaberdeal in a correct and transparent withimall21. Wir way verwirklichen sehr stabil. Zum beliebten Jahrhundert genau denselben Belgien ist ein wichtiger „Diversity“ ist zu sagen, dass stakeholders as part of our clear sustainability. And we will kundenorientierten,keep nachhales Wienerberger-Standorte Markt, man kann dort ganz gibt, wo Mitarbeiter aus gut verdienen, und das trifft tigen und zukunftsgerichteten it this way future. zwölf, 15, ja bis zu 20 in NatioAnsatz, den auch die Gründerauch auf die Niederlande zu. nen tätig sind. väter von Wienerberger beDer Wohnbau war zuletzt ein bereits im 19. Jahrhundert verWo gibt es Wachstumsmärkte? deutsamer „Headline-Bringer“. folgt haben!
“After the best midyear result in our 200-year history we are on full course to achieve our ambitious goals for 2019.”
World Champion Austria Leading company
Where do you see growth markets? Years ago, we built a factory in India and kept expanding it again and again. We are positive that India will keep growing while China is not of interest to Wienerberger. We are still performing very well in the United States and we are well-prepared for Brexit. By now, Wienerberger has 15 factories in the United Kingdom and we are bringing a fair number of bricks from the Netherlands and Belgium to Great Britain. Your home market is probably the strongest? No, in terms of turnover Germany is ranked first – here we can see the famous “factor 10”. When it comes to the performance, however, we are not quite happy yet with our neighbour country. We have important steps ahead in terms of improvement and adaptation. Central and Eastern Europe also has a lot of potential, e.g. in the Czech Republic, Slovakia and to a certain degree Poland. We have solid growth rates in these countries; in Western Europe they are not as high but very stable. Belgium is a good market; you can make good money there just like in the Netherlands. How does Wienerberger tackle recycling? Every Wienerberger product can be recycled. You can add every brick to our production, every pipe and every plastics part. Our recycling factor is already at about 50 percent. There are two loops at Wienerberger: A closed one at each factory with waste from production. And then you can add something from outside production. But sometimes there are actually too few recycling materials. The closed loop in the sense of cradle-to-cradle already exists. But often logistics and economic efficiency are two major issues here. Can you tell us about your latest figures? Our midyear result as of August 2019 was the most successful in our company’s history. Wienerberger increased the group turnover in the first half of 2019 by eight percent to 1,736 million euros after 1,607 million in
Picture: Wienerberger AG
As a public company, we are bound to communicate in an open, honest and comprehensive way. Speaking of the popular term “diversity”, I would like to point to the fact that there are Wienerberger sites with staff from twelve, 15 and even 20 different nations.
Wienerberger systems solution in Belgium
the same period of the previous year. Mainly premium, smart and resource-effective systems solutions contributed to this; they make up almost a third of our total turnover. The net result more than doubled in the first half of 2019, rising from 53 to 127 million euros. Based on this very strong first half of the year we are looking forward to the second half with great anticipation and we keep growing despite the increasingly volatile market situation. ◆
World market leader Wienerberger The world’s largest brick producer (Porotherm, Terca), European market leader in clay roofing tiles (Koramic, Tondach) and market leader in Central and Eastern Europe in pavers and slabs (Semmelrock), has become one of Europe’s leading suppliers in pipe systems (vitrified clay pipes Steinzeug-Keramo and plastics pipes Pipelife). c 195 production sites, 16,596 staff worldwide c Turnover: 3.3 bln euros, EBTIDA: 470 mln euros Recently the best midyear result in the company’s 200-year history. http://www.wienerberger.com
World Champion Austria
70_71
Companies introduce themselves
Feratel: Focusing on Comfort, Security and Information One way or another, probably every tourist in Austria has already been in touch with content from Feratel Media Technologies.
From a one-man-show to an international business Today, Feratel Media Technologies is one of the leading interna tional developers and providers of tourist information systems such as panorama live pictures across all digital channels, book ing solutions, tourist maps solutions, digital signage information systems and much more. Its international presence is underlined by offices in Austria, Germany, Switzerland, Italy, Belgium, the Netherlands, Spain, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Bulgaria, the United States and Japan. In addition, partners in France, Sweden and Russia ensure that Feratel products are available worldwide. A triumvirate of touristic amenities The company focuses on three key business operations: The divi sion Telecommunications provides HD live video streaming from 400 locations, in addition to traditional panorama TV broadcasts on TV stations all over Europe. The pictures captured by Feratel’s cameras can be received via destination and portal sites, smart phones, smart TVs, smart watches and navigation systems, among others. The division Information and Booking Systems offers solutions and products with which all relevant sales channels can be used both online and offline, and all tourism-related tasks are performed by technology-supported applications. Based on its destination
Credit: feratel/Gerhard Berger
Feratel’s success story started in the 1960s and is rooted in the vision and the intuition of the Austrian skiing stalwart Peter Schröcksnadel: He founded Sitour Austria (a portmanteau of “sig nalisation touristique”) to make panorama and piste marker signs as well as piste guidance systems. The company was basically a forerunner of Feratel Media Technologies. In the 1990s, Schröck snadel introduced panoramic images with Feratel: Panoramic live TV broadcasts of the weather for Austrian living and hotel rooms.
“No client is too big or too small: We serve entire tourism regions and ski resorts as well as small hotels.” Markus Schröcksnadel, CEO of Feratel Media Technologie
management system Deskline®, the individual solutions are com pleted by numerous products such as WebClient, RegistrationCli ent, GuestCard and Channel Manager. The business segment Media encompasses online products connected to panorama pictures (smartphone apps, smart TV apps, Amazon Fire TV Stick etc.), engagement marketing (Hello Spot, SocialWall), digital signage solutions (content for destina tions TV, hotel TV, infotainment in ski resorts etc.) plus custommade accreditation solutions for major events. This division also includes products and services of subsidiary Sitour: Analogue and digital information, safety and signage systems designed for ski resorts as well as the marketing of various advertising spaces and advertising systems. Over 1,000 alpine regions rely on Sitour in the winter and the summer – a success story of more than 50 years.
World Champion Austria Leading company
Simacek adds value with digitisation Digitisation in facility management has great potential, increases customer satisfaction and relieves the environment.
Picture: Simacek/Jansenberger
S
ustainability and digitisation are two big issues for our future. Simacek, Austria’s largest family business in the field of facility management and integrated facility services, improves the efficiency of buildings and contributes to climate protection with digital innovations: With integrated system services that ensure more synergies and a higher efficiency. With digital processes and the automation of routine tasks. With in-house research and development. Simacek does not only give buildings and facilities a new perspective for the future but also their environment. Data is an important resource in the efficient management of buildings and facilities. Digitisation has pushed facility management towards agility, transparency and interactivity, and will continue to do so even more in the future. Simacek aims to visualise the digital changes and make them usable for customers. By connecting real
“Despite all the digital opportunities you should never forget people as users and performers. It is important to bring together people and technology so that digitisation can serve people and not the other way round.” Ursula Simacek, company owner
estate and their technical areas, failures can be diagnosed and rectified remotely. Sensors, digital data acquisition and monitoring allow for detailed user profiles for real estate and facilities in real time. These profiles can be used to draw up plans for maintenance, cleaning and repairs, and to create algorithms that optimise operation and costs. CO2 sensors and motion detectors provide information on how much rooms are used and how often they therefore need to be cleaned. Data sources can be connected to highlight problems as quickly as possible in dashboards or other intuitive visualisations – already before the failure or fault happens. That way, preventive maintenance turns into predictive maintenance, decreasing downtimes and repairs. Maintenance workers can see all relevant information on tasks and urgent needs on their mobile devices – instantly and in any desired language. Their work becomes more efficient.
72_73
Digital revolution for businesses and individuals Digitisation and inventions such as the Internet of Things will revolutionise business and private lives. It has actually already become reality: Everyday objects such as fridges and washing machines equipped with sensors and microchips are all part of a comprehensive network of digital communication. Digital checkpoints and the corresponding intelligent software systems visualise service processes and energy flows in buildings for everyone involved and document them. Examples would be security patrols, time, place and detail of cleaning or the maintenance of elevators. Simacek has developed a holistic infrastructure management programme for this, which covers the user’s needs: SIM.CARE can calculate costs and benefit. The current costs of a building or facility are checked for adequacy, conformity and efficiency,
Picture: Shutterstock
Picture: Fotolia
and compared to the most innovative solutions. Synergies and duplication of work are identified, saving the customer money. The better individual processes are fine-tuned the cheaper facility management becomes – and the EBIT increases. In a second step, a complete implementation concept for the entire facility management is drawn up. At the end of the process, SIM.CARE offers a suggestion for optimising the real estate as a fully connected system. ◆
Picture: cleanbird
The Simacek Group: a true leading company Austria’s largest family-run full-range supplier of facility infrastructure management and infrastructural facility services with about 200 million euros annual turnover has 8,000 staff from more than 40 countries. They work every day in 42 cities in six countries on analysis, consulting, services, monitoring and reporting for comprehensive facility management. c Certificates: EMAS, ISO 9001 (quality management system), ISO 50001 (environmental processes), ISO 10000 (quality management – customer satisfaction), ISO 14001 (environmental systems), ISO 45001 (safety), ONR 192500 (CSR), CEN Standard EN 16636, ISO 37001 (anti-corruption), ISO 19600 (compliance), NESTOR GOLD, Audit berufundfamilie, Leitbetriebe Austria Member of UN Global Compact http://www.simacek.com
World Champion Austria Bright future
From start-up to advanced player: FRUX takes off The company is ready for expansion with renowned clients and marketable standard products.
F
RUX Technologies was founded in 2015 and is the result of longstanding experience in two areas: sales and technology. The company’s software allows companies to quickly and simply identify potential clients in b2b and to generate leads. The FRUX Target Bots are digital agents equipped with an individual search algorithm that are on the trail of action data on the internet and put them into a client database. There, data is structured, processed, solidified and put into relation in a way that allows for marketing-relevant insights and the identification of potential new clients. In this field, the system is learning by itself thanks to artificial intelligence technologies. At the end of this search, selection and qualification process there is the Lead Manager, a command centre, that analyses potential clients and lets you then process according to a set qualification process. This gives sales staff in b2b client data that is not only up-to-date and relevant but which also includes potential leads to get into talks. Onwards and upwards The standard products FRUX Pilot and FRUX Pro 5 have been available since January 2019, allowing the company to enter the German market. “Now that our standard products are market-ready we have concluded the second development phase,” says founder Patrick Kirchmayr. “From now on, the focus is on further expanding our processes in the sense of being a customer-oriented company. This transformation includes all areas of our organisation and reaches even into the development department.” When Kirchmayr started his career as an entrepreneur, he already had 15 years of experience in the areas of sales and software development. As a youth he already had held positions that would make many people in their 30s blush: from a simple call centre clerk to sales team leader and sales trainer as well as turning from a computer technician to a program-
mer and eventually a software developer. His first, very successful start-up took over FirmenABC Marketing GmbH in 2013. When Kirchmayr returned to Austria from Silicon Valley, he realised his vision and founded FRUX Technologies. Artificial Intelligence There is a hype around artificial intelligence that doesn’t always hold up. “Not every algorithm that can change itself is already an artificial intelligence,” Kirchmayr says. For years he has been working on how to support sales teams in b2b with refined data. “Everyone talks about artificial intelligence. But if you take a closer look, a lot of it falls under the term false labelling. The decisive factor is not the algorithms as there are already lot of them for machine learning and data mining that are very suitable. But as every company is different and there is so far no test data for b2b sales, solutions can only be offered on an individual basis right now.” Many renowned companies such as T-Mobile, Sparkasse Upper Austria, Mibag, PEM Buildings and the Stölner Group can testify that FRUX takes this issue very seriously. “It is not about the administration of customer data but to give b2b sales a tool that spurs their daily work,” COO Manuel Pree explains. “FRUX solutions will turn the market of sales acceleration tools upside down and thus revolutionise the acquisition of new clients. We turn cold calling into smart calling. We offer marketing and sales initiatives that address clients in a targeted, correct way. This approach is also done at the right time without time-, resource- and energyintensive research. At the same time, we offer the hook for starting a conversation.” CMO Peter Hössl adds: “It is remarkable how many big companies ignore the fact that many sales initiatives are based on completely outdated customer data. We concentrate information about sales-relevant knowledge not only about existing customers but that also suggests potential new customers and the
Picture: FRUX Technologies GmbH/Scott Greenhorn
74_75
COO Manuel Pree, founder and CEO Patrick Kirchmayr and CMO Peter Hössl, FRUX’s management
right hook. For sales staff this is all their Christmases coming at once.” The Austrian Research Promotion Agency FFG identified the future-oriented potential of this technology and has already supported FRUX considerably in the research initiatives with the AIT Austrian Institute of Technology and the Graz-based Know-Center. “Even though we can now offer the first market-ready products in this field the development is far from finished, particularly as we are entering completely unchartered ground with our AI application in b2b”, says Kirchmayr. “AI-based technologies open up a host of exciting new possibilities in various fields of application”, confirms Helmut Leopold, Head of Center for Digital Safety & Security at the AIT. “Together with the start-up FRUX we use artificial intelligence to detect potential customers over the internet. FRUX gives b2b clients a headstart in sales and thus a competitive edge. Together we are strengthening Austria as a business location.” Since 2017, the start-up’s quick growth has been spurred by the Venture Capital Investment of the AWS Founder Fund. FRUX
received the necessary financial means for expansion as well as support in strategic and economic issues. ◆
From Leonding to Vienna FRUX was founded in 2015 by Patrick Kirchmayr in Leonding and is the result of longstanding experience in two areas: sales and technology. The company’s software allows companies to quickly and simply identify potential clients in b2b and to generate leads. The FRUX team managed to convince the software corporation CA Technologies during the CA Start-up Challenge 2016 of being the best b2b start-up. In 2017, the company won the eAWard for best sales support. In 2019, Frux founded a subsidiary in Vienna. https://www.frux.io
MADE IN AUSTRIA. The world seeks Austrian know-how Austria is an export nation. More than half of our wealth is generated by internationally oriented Austrian business abroad. Where can we find future export opportunities? Will the central and eastern european (cee) market remain as exciting? how can domestic global players benefit from innovative start-ups? Questions like these were discussed by Harald Mahrer, President of the Austrian Economic Chamber, Herbert Auer, Managing Director of Pollmann, Alexander Joham, CFO at Polytechnik and Thomas Oberngruber from Enterprise Europe Network upon invitation from Raiffeisenlandesbank Upper Austria. in 2019 we celebrate the 30th anniversary of the iron curtain’s fall. did you take your chances in cee? Alexander Joham: Polytechnik has been manufacturing biomass plants for more than 50 years. Our first foreign order came from Hungary in 1977. Shortly after the fall of the Iron Curtain we took over a production plant there and established a sales subsidiary in Poland. So, I think we did take our chances. herbert Auer: Pollmann is located in the North of Lower Austria so it was logical to set up a site in the Czech Republic after the Iron Curtain fell. It is a win-win situation because we managed to strengthen both sites by using highly automated production plants in Austria and manual labour in the Czech Republic. Our export ratio amounts to more than 95 percent; our sites in Austria, the Czech Republic, the United States and China supply vehicle manufacturers.
pollmann and polytechnik both have success in china. did Austria’s image help over there? Joham: We were lucky to have set-up a joint-venture with a Chinese partner. He saw that us Austrians are very open-minded and this created mutual trust. Our reputation as a technology leader convinced him completely – China only wants to buy the best products. Our “Austrian approach”, our innovative capacity and our desire to operate in China were the basis for our success. Auer: I actually helped establish our site in China and the Austrian image has always been very, very good. Like our German colleagues, we are being associated with technology and precision. But the overall mixture of good products and a personal relationship to the customer has to be right in order to be successful. your greatest export success? Mahrer: Our most important strategic orientation is towards qualifications and education. Our success is the overall commitment of our organisation to focus on this. Joham: Starting to export in 1977. Market diversification and innovation are Polytechnik’s strength. Auer: We managed to diversify our company’s market position over the last 20 years and to serve the global market. We are proud of that. Oberngruber: The annual Upper Austrian Export Day brings the entire export scene together. This network goes down well with businesses. the most important thing that exporting taught you? Mahrer: You need to have a lot of patience; in the public sector things take a little bit longer than in the private sector.
Harald Mahrer, President of the Austrian Economic Chamber, Herbert Auer, Managing Director of Pollmann, Alexander Joham, CFO at Polytechnik and Thomas Oberngruber from Enterprise Europe Network
Read the entire interview at: https://business-channel.rlbooe.at
NetWOrkiNg With success. MANAge yOur expOrt busiNess iN A cOMpreheNsive ANd custOMised WAy. The Raiffeisen Banking Group has been operating successfully for more than 25 years in Central and Eastern Europe and works for its clients with subsidiaries and branches in many important export markets. Specially trained local staff serve as your port-of-call and offer know-how and contacts for your professional networks Raiffeisen supports you by financing and hedging your export and import business as well as your foreign investments We create a solid basis for your company’s success in the international markets with our long-standing expertise abroad We use the know-how of the Raiffeisen Banking Group’s network to offer you individual solutions
the Qr code will take you straight to our complete expert knowledge
raiffeisenlandesbank upper Austria Europaplatz 1a, 4020 Linz Tel.: +43 732 65 96-0 www.rlbooe.at
The interview was conducted for issue 1/2019 of Raiffeisenlandesbank Upper Austria’s Business Magazine.
Joham: We are learning every day. Every project is different, there are always new issues to overcome. You have to take your findings to a classic closing meeting within your company. The other thing is, without innovation you quickly become replaceable on the global market. Auer: The most important insight is to be internationally competitive, to use new technologies and to find skilled staff. Oberngruber: There is a high level of fine-tuning in our export network. But only continuous discussions will lead from cooperation to collaboration. What are the challenges for the near future? Oberngruber: The Enterprise Europe Network has specific tasks with clear goals for 2020. We need to keep our organisation flexible and adaptive in order to quickly adjust the individual framework conditions. Joham: The project business is volatile. Our task is to iron out peaks and slumps in demand. Auer: You need to have the entrepreneurial courage to walk new paths and to try things. Only then you will be internationally successful. Mahrer: We want to offer our services on an excellent level. Reducing bureaucracy is an important issue. There is so much potential in this country. If our members are able to liberate themselves from bureaucratic restraints, they are unstoppable. We will invest even more into further education.
World Champion Austria
ADVERTORIAL: ASPÖCK SYSTEMS GMBH
Innovative lighting systems on international traffic routes “We design, build and test individual lighting solutions for vehicles around the globe,” says CEO Karl Aspöck.
T
he ability to carry a familiar atmosphere, Upper Austrian down-to-earth mentality and light speed dynamics into the world is called ART OF LIGHTS. Unorthodox thinkers with experience or pure singlemindedness become winners here. Mr Aspöck, please tell our readers about the beginnings and the goals of Aspöck Systems Gmbh. My father Felix established a classic single-member company. His goal is still ours today: To make roads around the world safer! We put a lot of our attention on comfort, design, efficiency and environmental sustainability.
Felix (l.) and Karl Aspöck
We managed to perfect the first lighting solutions in agricultural engineering with trailblazing technology for HGV and car trailers, cars, motorbikes, camper vans and special-purpose vehicles. Renowned manufacturers such as Schmitz Cargobull, Schwarzmüller, Audi, Volkswagen, the PSA Group and KTM are some of our clients. Where do you look for new markets? We are an international partner of the automotive industry. Aspöck meets the car manufacturers’ high expectations thanks to the significant support of the production sites in Portugal, the largest one within the Aspöck Group, and Poland. Both have been expanded accordingly over the past few years. There, we make mainly rear and brake lights for car manufacturers such as Audi and the French PSA Group. Every year, Aspöck fits 550,000 to 600,000 vehicles with such rear lights. In addition, we make more than 1.2 million third brake lights per year. The world of artificial light already underwent a change in technology. Linear LED lights are the future. We desire to remain an innovation leader and thus open up new markets. The Aspöck Group is present at strategic locations in Europe, South America, Northern and Southern Africa as well as Asia. We have tightly-knit sales and service networks there, which guarantee the best possible customer care. Our branches are divided into production sites and sales subsidiaries. Our site in Austria is being expanded constantly and is a strategic and operative hub within the Aspöck Group for a number of reasons. A logistics centre with an up-to-date commissioning warehouse is the target location for all our production sites. Aspöck France complements our main site perfectly thanks to investing into a new office building for sales and logistics near Lyon in 2018. It ensures quick and exact processing of our clients’ wishes.
Pictures: Aspöck (6), Schedl R (1)
xx_79
1,550 staff worldwide – thereof 380 in Austria – provide knowledge and personality in every segment.
How do you continuously ensure the highest standards? The recognised Aspöck quality is safeguarded by the test labs and workshops at out headquarters and at several subsidiaries of the production and sales network. Just the internal test lab in Peuerbach performs more than 10,000 tests per year. Our company has been certified to the IATF 16949, ISO 9001 and ISO 14001 standards. Constant routines check whether all rules are being observed. These certificates of high quality and environmental standards help us to improve our processes in the long run. Furthermore, we decided upon a central enterprise resource planning system in order to keep all internal processes at all sites transparent and clear. A central enterprise resource planning system allows for the reduction of interfaces and the control over all business processes across sites. In order to ensure longevity and safety, the entire IT structure of the Aspöck Group is modelled on SAP. Transparency of all economic key figures and harmonised master data are clear benefits of this implementation. Aspöck models all standard modules (e.g. FI, CO, HCM) but also logistics (EWM) and production (ME) on SAP. Can you tell us about a new lighting innovation? Aspöck combines design with the latest lighting technology, e.g. with the new slim rear light ECOLED II for trailers and trucks with a large glowing body, homogenous light and a dynamic indicator with chaser lights. ECOLED II withstands all environmental conditions and is of course ISO certified. By developing and investing into novel, linear LED casting and encapsulation technology – that is LED bands made in Austria – we are currently expanding our product portfolio in our market
segment of trailers and are also targeting new market segments in the area of industrial lighting technology. What is your outlook for Aspöck’s future? Our passion is and will always remain light! We are not a family business with parenthesis but live our motto with an exclamation mark and put emphasis on open communication. For me, the basis of entrepreneurial success it to support the different talents of our staff in every personal and professional aspect. A new gym will help to switch off after work easier while promoting healthy living. We will only grow healthily with a healthy basis! ◆
Aspöck Systems GmbH Since its establishment in 1977, the premises of the company headquarters in Peuerbach (Upper Austria) with its production and administrative areas has grown to more than 13,500 square metres. A high-rack warehouse with a space of more than 3,000 sqm and 24 metres in height stands out visually. Turnover in the business year 2018/19: c 180 million euros. Eight sales subsidiaries, four production sites, 1,550 staff worldwide, an export ratio of 93 percent. Segments: Truck & Trailer, Automotive, Motorbikes, Caravan & Mobile Homes, Agriculture and Construction Machinery, Busses and Special Vehicles http://www.aspoeck.com
World Champion Austria Leading company
Global success with natural cellulose fibres Lenzing can be found at the beginning of the value chain for textiles and fleece products. The company is increasingly acknowledged as a consumer brand.
I
t’s a long way from the forest to the product in the shop. Turning cellulose fibres into a luxuriously soft blouse on a boutique rack or a smart sports outfit with perfect thermal regulation involves numerous stages and specialities. More often than not, these stages and specialities are rather disconnected. This is where Lenzing plays a key role by doing much more than supplying fibres. It sees itself as a partner of spinners, weavers, mills, dye works and converters, but also fashion brands and retailers. After a record year 2017, the Lenzing Group once more saw a successful business year 2018 with a turnover of 2.18 billion euros, an EBIT of 237.6 million euros and earnings after taxes of 148.2 million euros. Taking the initiative in research and development “2018 was the fourth-successful year in the company’s history,” says CEO Stefan Doboczky. “We kept working hard on our new business strategy sCore TEN in order to increase our self-supply with cellulose fibres, to be closer to our customers, to increase the number of speciality fibres in total turnover and to invest into new technologies and business fields. The highly positive development of our speciality business in the – as expected – challenging market of standard viscose confirms our ambitious plans.” Expenditures for research and development (R&D), calculated according to the Frascati method, amounted to 42.8 million euros in the 2018 financial year, putting Lenzing in the top ranks of the industry both in absolute terms as well as in relation to revenue. In 2018, the company decided to continue along its ambitious path and to invest roughly 100 million euros in sustainable manufacturing technologies and production facilities by 2022 in order to further strengthen its closed-loop model and support its customers in replacing resource-intensive and environmentally harmful solutions. With its most recent innovations, the Lenzing Group has taken
important steps in this direction. After the presentation of the Refibra technology, Lenzing Ecovero branded high-performance and identifiable viscose fibres and Tencel Luxe lyocell filament yarn, Lenzing announced the successful development of the Lenzing Web Technology. This is a new technology platform with a focus on sustainable nonwoven products, which will open up new market opportunities for the industry. In a first step, 25 patent applications were filed. Blockchain technology in the fibres industry Lenzing will use blockchain technology to support its Tencelbranded fibre business, ensuring complete transparency and traceability for brands and consumers of its fibres in the finished garment. The supply chain transparency from wood to garment and home textiles will enable all customers and partners to identify Tencel fibres and the respective wood source in each production and distribution step. Thanks to a QR code on the final garment, consumers will be able to detect the origin of the clothes they intend to buy. “With this step, Lenzing will further help to make the textile industry greener”, says CEO Stefan Doboczky. The company will carry out several pilot tests over the next few months involving partners along the entire value chain. Lenzing expects the platform to be fully operational as of 2020. Expansion of speciality fibres business The start-up of new capacities for lyocell fibers in Heiligenkreuz, the production start of Lenzing Ecovero fibres at the Nanjing site, the acquisition of the remaining 30 percent of the Chinese subsidiary Lenzing (Nanjing) Fibers from the joint venture partner and the investment in another pilot plant for Tencel Luxe filaments are important steps to achieve the goal of increasing the share of specialty fibres in total revenue.
Picture: Lenzing/Karl Michalski
Picture: Bavaria Luftbild Verlags GmbH
80_81
The globally active Lenzing Group turns wood into fibres. In June 2015, Stefan Doboczky (pictured) succeeded Peter Untersperger as CEO.
The Lenzing Group will adjust its growth plan accordingly in order to meet strong market demand for its lyocell fibres. This includes an increased focus on the lyocell expansion project in Prachinburi (Thailand). The planned production facility with a capacity of up to 100,000 tonnes will further strengthen the Lenzing Group’s global lyocell network. With the new positioning of its master brand and its product brands, the Lenzing Group started a new phase of branding and brand communication in 2018. Lenzing decided to carry out a new brand strategy to sharpen its corporate and product portfolio for consumers as a sustainable innovation leader. In order to further intensify its cooperation with its customers and partners in the textile and nonwoven sectors, the Lenzing Group opened another innovation centre at the Indonesian site in Purwakarta at the end of 2018. At the new Lenzing Center of Excellence the company conducts joint research and development work on new yarns with its customers and tests various types of fibres and yarns in special laboratory facilities.
The world’s largest lyocell fibres plant Over the next years, Lenzing plans to invest more than one billion euros in new production facilities for lyocell fibres. The first expansion phase of this ambitious growth plan, the construction of a state-of-the art lyocell fibre production plant in Prachinburi (Thailand), has now been approved. The plant will have a capacity of 100,000 tonnes and feature investments of about 400 million euros. The plant sets a new milestone in the history of lyocell fibres and will be the largest site of its kind. Site grading at Industrial Park 304 around 150 kilometres east of Bangkok has been completed successfully and the investment is fully supported by the Board of Investment of Thailand. Construction will start in autumn 2019 and production will commence towards the end of 2021. “Tencel lyocell fibres are considered a benchmark in ecologically responsible fibres. This expansion underscores Lenzing’s commitment to improve the ecological footprint of the global textile industry”, says CEO Stefan Doboczky. The selection of Industrial Park 304 in Prachinburi was based on its excellent overall
World Champion Austria
Picture: Lenzing/Franz Neumayr
Leading company
Lenzing uses mainly wood from certified forestry; for the new Refibra technology the company mixes cellulose with the textile industry’s cotton scraps.
infrastructure and the sustainable biogenic energy supply, which leads to low CO2 emissions to protect the climate. Over the coming years Lenzing will further expand at the site in Thailand, which has space for several plants. The investment in the first phase already includes the general infrastructure that will benefit future expansion. Lenzing will continue to look for potentially expanding lyocell production in other parts of the world as well. “Commissioning of the plant and start of production will take place in the second half of 2021”, says Heiko Arnold, Chief Technology Officer of the Lenzing Group. Outlook on the near future Caustic soda prices in Asia have already declined significantly over the past months; however, there are no signs of such a development in Europe yet. Overall, Lenzing does not expect any significant changes for key raw materials that would be relevant to earnings. Demand on the global fibre markets is still positive. According to preliminary calculations, cotton inventory levels should decline slightly again in 2019. Over the past months, the polyester market recovered from slower growth at the beginning of the reporting year. The price levels for cotton and polyester are expected to remain stable. Capacity expansions for standard viscose should re-
main at a similar level as in the 2018 financial year. The Lenzing Group expects the positive development of its specialty fibre business to continue. Overall, Lenzing is very well positioned in this market environment and will continue its consistent focus on growth with specialty fibres. ◆
Short historic overview The year 1892 marked the start of operations of the first pulp and paper mill in Lenzing. In 1935/36 it was acquired by the Bunzl family of paper industrialists and gradually transformed into one of the most advanced pulp and paper production sites in Europe. Lenzing launched the first “high wet modulus” modal fibre in 1965, the predecessor to today’s Lenzing Modal. After years of research and development, Lenzing launched its first filament yarn, Tencel Luxe, in 2017. With its production based on the environmentally friendly Lyocell technology, the new filament is used in sustainable high-end cellulose textiles in the fashion industry. http://www.lenzing.com
World Champion Austria
82_83
Leading company
The experts in moulding are operating all around the world Electromobility has become a driver of innovation and growth for the Upper Austrian world market leader Engel Group.
T
he Engel Group saw out the 2018/19 fiscal year with a turnover of 1.6 billion euros. The injection moulding machine manufacturer and systems solutions provider headquartered in Schwertberg, Upper Austria, recorded a 6 percent increase over the previous year. “Asia and the German-speaking countries in Europe have been the primary factors behind our new sales growth,” reports Christoph Steger, CSO of the Engel Group. Throughout the fiscal year just passed, Engel generated 54 percent of its turnover in Europe, while Asia accounted for 21 percent and the Americas for 24 percent. Christoph Steger believes that Engel has managed to maintain its leading global position in injection moulding machines and integrated systems solutions as a result of its strong international presence, powerful ability to innovate, and consistent focus on quality and customer service. “Custom-built systems solutions, provided by Engel as a one-stop global supplier, have once again grown as a share of our incoming orders. As well as our expertise in automation, investment decision-makers are focusing more and more on Engel’s leading role in digitalisation and the networking of injection moulding processes.” Great outlook in Asia Particularly in Asia, the market share held by electric vehicles is continuing to increase substantially, which is helping to encourage innovation in this area. Engel, which has its own Center for Lightweight Composite Technologies, is a preferred partner and supplier to car manufacturers all over the world in the field of lightweight construction, including in China where the company is benefiting strongly from this reputation. “We have a growing number of Organomelt projects with Chinese firms,” says Gero Willmeroth, president for East Asia and Oceania. The Engel Organomelt process makes it possible to form fibre-reinforced, semi-
finished products with a thermoplastic matrix in an integrated and fully automated process, as well as functionalising these products through injection moulding. Demand for the process has been growing heavily since large-scale application began last year thanks not only to its high processing efficiency, but also, and in particular, the consistent thermoplastic approach. This makes it easier to later recycle the composite components, helping to promote a circular economy. Alongside composite technologies, one of the key solutions in the pursuit of lower vehicle weights in Asia is to replace glass with polymeric materials; for instance, in glazing. There is also growth in the lighting sector, in which liquid silicone rubber (LSR) is increasingly being used as a lens material. Among trends in Asia, another encouraging development is the burgeoning demand in Vietnam. “As a result of the automotive industry establishing itself there, there are more and more suppli-
Engel system solution: injection moulding machine with robot, a gripper station, a laser printer, an assembly device and a conveyor unit.
World Champion Austria
Fotos: Engel (2)
Leading company
Engel Austria GmbH has its headquarters in Schwertberg (Upper Austria).
ers – including from Korea – setting up company premises in the vicinity of car manufacturers,” says Willmeroth. Engel is expecting further impetus for growth for the current fiscal year in the medical, packaging, telecommunications and electronics markets. In the latter two areas, known jointly as teletronics at Engel, this growth is expected to stem from both camera lenses and LSR processing for smartphone seals. The allelectric and tie-bar-less e-motion TL injection moulding machines were developed by Engel for this exact market segment and have had great success establishing themselves in the teletronics industry in Asia. Engel was also able to acquire a series of new customers in the medical and packaging sectors during the past fiscal year. “The introduction of the business unit structure in Asia is now well and truly bearing fruit,” says Willmeroth. “As a result, we’ve been able to build up our specialist knowledge on the local level here in Asia, which further strengthens our customers’ trust in Engel, especially in industries with highly specific needs and extremely rigorous standards.” Faster decision-making The new global sales structure is also enhancing Engel’s effectiveness in the individual regions. Last autumn, Engel grouped its 30 subsidiaries and more than 60 representative offices in seven regions around the world and appointed regional presidents. “We’ve sped up decision-making processes thanks to this new structure,” Steger emphasises. “The regional presidents take full responsibil-
75-year-old family business The Engel Group employs 960 people in Asia, including 729 in China. There are currently 6,900 staff working at the Engel Group’s plants and subsidiaries worldwide, 3,900 of whom are employed at the three Austrian plants. The export ratio amounts to about 95 percent. The company is 100 percent family-owned and is run by CEO Stefan Engleder, CSO Christoph Steger, CPO Joachim Metzmacher und CFO Markus Richter. http://www.engel.at
ity for sales in their region and act as the local contacts for the subsidiaries and representative offices, which prevents delays caused by time differences. In addition, their close geographic and cultural proximity often makes it easier to work in partnership.” Investment programme 2020 Engel has almost completed its 2020 investment programme, the largest effort of its kind since the company was founded in 1945. Capacity has been increased at almost all production sites, while machinery has been upgraded. All in all, Engel has invested more than 375 million euros in its plants around the globe. Shanghai was one of the first construction projects within the 2020 programme. The new building was inaugurated within a punctual time-frame on the plant’s tenth anniversary in autumn 2017.
Pictures: Engel (2)
84_85
Together with its partner TMA Automation, Engel develops highly flexible and, at the same time, extremely cost-effective production solutions for in-mould labelling.
The flexseal injection moulding machine makes mass production of O-rings and flat seals particularly economical – also with inserts.
The expansion of Engel’s headquarters in Schwertberg was recently completed. This involved scaling up the assembly area, adding a new customer centre with a modernised training setup and building an even larger technology centre. “By making this investment in our customer technology facilities, we are further strengthening our competitiveness,” Steger explains. “Our customers’ need for consulting services is increasing due to new expectations, especially in the context of the digital revolution. We now have greater capacity for customer trials and joint development efforts.” The large-scale machine plant in St. Valentin, Austria, will also be home to a new, larger technology centre. Construction work at the plant will be completed next year.
high cost efficiency even for the most demanding applications while keeping delivery times short across the whole system. “There is growing demand for integrated systems solutions in China,” Hell reports. “In particular, the automation of processes is becoming more important.”
Efficient packaging production “In China, there are increasingly high standards expected for the quality of products and, in turn, packaging – especially in the food industry,” says Kurt Hell, Director of Engel’s packaging business unit in Asia. “Special designs and functional properties are in demand, as is high-quality decoration with in-mould labelling. Multi-coloured and multi-component applications for food and non-food closures are also becoming increasingly popular.” The packaging sector in China is a stable market experiencing constant growth and evolution. “Within the Chinese plastics industry, the production of packaging parts is an important segment with highly specific needs,” Hell explains. Engel has established a global network of system partners to create a one-stop shop for its proprietary automation solutions and process technologies, along with other peripheral units and moulds. By working with local suppliers, Engel can guarantee
Variable production with fully automated changes Engel focuses on the internationally important trend of small batch sizes. In many areas the number of variants increase, reducing the batch sizes in turn. Examples would be consumer goods such as writing utensils, technical parts in the automotive and electric industry as well as a number of medical products. In order to economically realise a large number of variations, moulds with interchangeable inserts are often used. Engel goes one step further with an innovative, highly integrated and assisted production unit for a quick change of tools: The system solution allows for a fully automated switch of the mould inserts in just one minute. Communication between the injection moulding machine and the periphery is conducted via authentig, the MES of ENGEL subsidiary TIG. Producing flat seals and O-rings competitively – that is the strength of the ENGEL flexseal. The particularly compact servohydraulic injection moulding machine combines top efficiency with performance and precision also in multi-component processes using elastomers and thermoplastics. System partners are Mesgo (Gorlago, Italy), the mould makers ORP Stampi (Viadanica, Italy) and Giasini (Grassobbio, Italy) as well as Proplast Plastic Innovation Pole (Rivalta Scrivia, Italy), who are responsible for the CAD design. The roto feeder developed and produced by Engel is used for material feed. ◆
World Champion Austria Future leading company
Innovative heat pumps from Upper Austria save the climate Ecop Technologies Gmbh from Neuhofen an der Krems has developed a special heat pump for industrial use.
P
eople and companies all around the world are currently trying to turn the tide and find solutions to combat climate change. Ecop Technologies is one of them: The company realised that heat from industrial processes often remains unused or is only used in small amounts. But the unused heat could be used for energy retrieval. “While heat pumps are already very common in residential buildings, the majority of industrial companies still use fossil fuels to generate process heat,” says Ecop Founder and Managing Director Bernhard Adler. “This gave us the idea to develop a new and foremost sustainable technology.” Most heat pumps are based on liquid refrigerants. They absorb the heat, evaporate and heat the water for your heating. This has several disadvantages in industrial application: The refrigerants evaporate at a fixed temperature and therefore have to be adapted individually for every process. They struggle to
process the source temperature and are inadequate for the higher temperatures needed for industrial applications. In addition, refrigerants are often toxic, flammable and add to the carbon footprint and the greenhouse effect. Also, process heat is a significant cost factor for many businesses. The Energy Efficiency Directive stipulates that companies must save 20 percent of their primary energy requirements by the year 2020. Companies have to switch to more efficient green alternatives, and Ecop is offering one, having already been awarded the European Business Award for the Environment 2018 by the European Commission and the Austrian State Prize for Environmental Technology 2018/19. Not only clean but also efficient Ecop’s Rotation Heat Pump K7 with a thermal output of 700 kW uses a non-toxic and incombustible gas instead of a refrigerant.
Picture: ecop Technologies GmbH
Future heating technology
The Rotation Heat Pump technology used a thermodynamic cycle.
Ecop is a multi-award-winning technology company that makes rotation heat pumps for industrial use with a novel, internationally patented technology. The unique selling points are e.g. temperatures of up to 150 degrees Celsius, flexible entry and exit temperatures, high efficiency and the absence of environmentally harmful refrigerants. Ecop is thus supporting companies in retrieving energy, protecting the environment and saving costs. The headquarters and the production site are located in Neuhofen an der Krems (Upper Austria) and the development centre sits in Vienna. http://www.ecop.at
Pictures: ecop Technologies GmbH
86_87
The Ecop team has already received several (international) awards for its innovative capacity.
This gas circulates in a closed cycle, which rotates around an axis. It is heated in a thermodynamic cycle and gives off heat. Due to the different pressures the differences in temperature are infinitely variable within a range of -20 degrees Celsius and +150 degrees Celsius. “Thus, our heat pump provides a valuable service to the various industrial sectors. Potential fields of use are industrial processes such as drying wood, bricks or food, pasteurising fruit juices, distillation in chemical processes and district heating,” Adler explains. Due to a lack of environmentalfriendly alternatives, the potential for industrial heat pumps in Europe amounts to roughly 174 TWh (626 PJ). This corresponds to about 41.000 K7 heat pumps. Ecop already researches this technology for the use in cooling. Great market opportunities in many industrial sectors worldwide Using this innovative heat pump pays off quickly: Due to the low operational and maintenance costs and the overall higher efficiency the amortisation period amounts to only 2.5 to 3.5 years instead of the usual five to seven years, depending on the type of application. A first pilot plant has been sold to Bioenergie Bucklige Welt GmbH: A heating plant that provides several communities with district heating is now using the Ecop heat pump.
Founder and Managing Director Bernhard Adler
Furthermore, a contract has been signed with a Swiss system integrator and in autumn 2019 another heat pump is expected to be sold as part of this agreement. Ecop’s target group encompasses companies that need or use heat for production processes. These are mainly industrial companies in the food, paper, chemical, machinery, automotive, plastics, textiles and timber sector and district heating plants. The idea is to first open the market in Austria, Germany and Switzerland, and subsequently the entire European market. Further potential can be found in highly industrialised countries such as the United States and Japan. The company generates its income from selling, maintaining and servicing its heat pumps. The development centre is located in Vienna, the production of the heat pumps takes place in Upper Austria. Sales are done by Ecop itself or through selected sales partners. In the medium term, Ecop plans to do increase its sales and service activities through partners. Despite the short sales period since the market launch, there is already huge interest in the heat pumps: Numerous enquiries from all over the world and meetings confirm the outstanding market opportunities for this innovative heat pump technology. ◆
World Champion Austria Leading company
The world champion in extrusion The internationally highly successful extrusion lines manufacturer SML has built new headquarters in Redlham.
Picture: SML
One key element at the new It is rare for a European indussite is the SML Technology trial company to build its headCenter, which bundles all of the quarters with the latest company’s research and develproduction lines from scratch. opment activities. The focus in But extrusion lines manufacdevelopment is on the compreturer SML did just that: SML’s hensive digitisation of producstate-of-the-art site for retion processes (“Industry 4.0”) searching and developing exand the development of plants trusion lines for the global plasfor the production of new, envitics processing industry opened ronment-friendly packaging etc. in June 2019 on a 90,000 sqm This is part of the buzzwords big plot in Redlham near Vöckcircular economy and recycling. labruck. In addition to the world’s most Construction took only 18 modern test and demonstration months; the company managed plants for customers, the Techto stick both to the schedule nology Center houses a number and the costs projection, which SML owner Peter Ily Huemer, Governor Thomas Stelzer, presenter Magdalena Meerof test labs with the latest does not always happen with graf and SML Managing Director Karl Stöger equipment. projects of this size. Delivery of SML currently employs 280 people in Upper Austria; the new the first SML machinery manufactured in Redlham also took place headquarters has room for up to 420. To grow further, the company in June 2019. is mainly looking for technically accomplished staff with a high willingness to travel. In order to meet the demand in skilled workers in Development hub SML Technology Center the long-run, SML trains apprentices every year, mainly in the field The main reason to keep the most essential business activities in of mechatronics. SML also supports the concept of apprenticeships Upper Austria is the availability of well-trained staff in the region with university entry qualifications – the fully trained staff is then and the advantage of having short decision-making and communiemployed all around the world. cation channels to benefit the company’s efficiency and clout. SML is among the world market and technology leaders in maIt had become necessary to build new headquarters as the chinery for plastics processing with an export ratio of more than 97 previous site in Lenzing, where SML has been operating from percent. Products made on plants by SML have a wide range of since 1995, was bursting at the seams: Further growth had been application: Foils for all types of packaging, hygienic products, buildimpossible here. SML decided to move to Redlham due to its ing materials, foils for solar panels and separators in batteries, for central location and the good infrastructure connection as well example. Another business field is the production of spinning plants as the close distance to the old site in Lenzing. That way, almost for the production of synthetic threads for technical textiles, carpets all staff had been retained and a loss of internal know-how was and high-strength multi-filaments for ropes and belts. ◆ prevented.
World Champion Austria
88_89
Future leading company
Made in Regau – and going straight to China One-A Engineering from Regau is building a lyocell factory with an annual production of 100,000 tonnes in China.
Picture: Land OÖ/Lisa Schaffner
One-A is a trailblazer in the The Upper Austrian industrial field of microreaction technoloplant manufacturer One-A Engy and microstructural processgineering has signed a declaraing for the pharmaceutical and tion of intent to erect an envifine chemicals industry. The ronment-friendly lyocell factory company offers a comprehenwith the Chinese textiles group sive and full service package, Hubei Golden Ring (HGR). Conranging from evaluation of the struction will start next year most suitable process to the and the factory will produce supply of individual compoabout 100,000 high-quality lyonents and complete plants and cell fibres per year. package units. “This new order from China is the largest in our company’s An impetus from the Silk Road history,” says One-A Managing There are currently 164 Upper Director Stefan Zikeli who Austrian subsidiaries in China founded One-A Engineering One-A Engineering Managing Director Stefan Zikeli and Ban Jan, Chairman of the and about 500 Upper Austrian twelve years ago. The fairly Chinese textiles group Hubei Golden Ring, sign the contract. The President of the exporters. new company employs twenty Upper Austrian provincial parliament Viktor Sigl is standing behind them. “With the new Silk Road people, has a subsidiary in Initiative our province will get numerous new opportunities to Shanghai and is part of a Chinese joint-venture. It is a globally opintensify our economic contacts in China,” says the President of erating technology provider for the cellulose, polymer and synthe Upper Austrian provincial parliament Viktor Sigl. ◆ thetic fibre industry, and has already ample experience in planning and constructing industrial plants. Several lyocell factories made in Regau have already been built for Chinese textiles companies. Special environmental know-how Producing lyocell materials is considered environment-friendly because the textiles from cellulose are bio-degradable and there are no harmful byproducts during production. “In addition, we own several global patents for highly efficient production processes and have extensive know-how in the field of environment technologies,” Zikeli says. “Our industrial customers have thus a competitive edge in the production of their goods.”
Innovation and Technology One-A engineering Austria GmbH offers technology consultancy with the focus on microreaction technology and cellulose technology as well as plant upgrading, contract research and energy consultancy all the way to highly specialised engineering services. http://www.one-a.at
World Champion Austria Smart province
Export success, tribology and strong adhesives Lower Austria has turned into a business location that doesn’t have to shy away from international comparison.
I
Picture: Schoeller-Bleckfield
n Lower Austria, about 160,000 people work in the production sector. If you add industry-related services, there are even 300,000 jobs secured by the Lower Austrian industries. This servo-industrial sector – industries and industry-related services – pay about half of the entire province’s wages and thus contributes significantly to the high spending power. If you drive through Lower Austria you will immediately recognise the structural change everywhere: The province has turned from being a basic production regional economy into a technology-oriented economic area. According to the so-called turbulence indicator, which measures the change of shares between the various economic sectors – no other Austrian province has seen an equally strong structural economic change as Lower Austria.
Schoeller-Bleckmann: World market leader in high precision parts from high-alloyed steel
The real success of the Lower Austrian economic policies, however, is undergoing this structural change while maintaining a high level of employment. One of today’s biggest challenges is the lack of skilled workers: Eight out of ten businesses have difficulties in finding graduates from the MINT-subjects mathematics, information science, natural sciences and technology. This affects apprenticeships, graduates from technical colleges, colleges and universities. Export growth of more than six percent The export balance of 2018 shows that Lower Austria has a merchandise export volume of 23.1 percent which is an increase of 6.1 percent compared to the previous year. One reason for this strong result in 2018 are growing exports to Eastern Europe. Exports to Hungary, the third-most-important export market after Germany (+2.2 percent) and the Czech Republic (+2.5 percent), went up by 13.5 percent. 22.3 percent more goods were exported to Romania and the markets in Slovakia and Slovenia saw increases of 7.1 percent and 9.9 percent respectively. “You can call it a renaissance of the Eastern European markets,” Sonja Zwazl, President of the Lower Austrian Economic Chamber, says. “We believe that the increase in global trade conflicts are the reason. In times of worldwide insecurity Lower Austrian exporters put their faith more and more in EU and Eastern European markets. We are very happy that the strategy to focus on these markets has paid off and is still paying. “Lower Austrian businesses produce high-quality products that stand the test of global competition. About 50 percent of turnover is generated abroad and many producers have an export ratio of more than 90 percent. The most important export goods of Lower Austrian industrial businesses are boilers, machines and plants steel and plastics products as well as chemical products,” Salzer says.
Picture: Agrana
90_91
Publicly listed Agrana is the world market leader in the production of fruit preparation and a major producer of fruit juice concentrates in Europe.
Export is a major growth strategy: Over the past decade, the number of exporters went up by 30 percent from 6,400 to 8,300 businesses. Good balance between regional and overseas markets When it comes to regional markets, the focus is currently on France; among the overseas markets, it is China. Merchandise exports to France went up by six percent within a year. The Chinese market, however, still has a lot of export potential. The by far most important export market outside Europe is the United States of America: In 2018, Lower Austria managed to increase its exports to the US by an impressive 19 percent. Further export potential for Lower Austrian businesses can be found in the areas of environmental technologies, mobility, aerospace and space technologies, machinery and plant manufacturing, production technologies, digitisation, building technologies, foodstuff and agricultural technologies.
Lower Austria’s top export markets 2018 1) 2) 3) 4) 5) 6) 7) 8) 9) 10) ... 16)
Country Germany Czech Republic Hungary Italy United States Poland Switzerland Slovakia France Slovenia China
bln. € 6.67 1.33 1.33 1.32 1.20 1.07 0.84 0.83 0.76 0.63 0.40
±% +2,2 +2,5 +13,5 +1,7 +19,0 +7,9 +6,0 +7,1 +6,1 +9,9 –0,1 Source: Statistik Austria
World Champion Austria
A good example: tribology in Wiener Neustadt The competence centre for tribology, AC2T Research GmbH has been developing solutions in the fields of friction, wear and lubricants for 17 years as an independent research and development service provider. AC2T is one of the largest private R&D providers in tribology worldwide, employing 140 staff from more than 20 countries. Thanks to a successful evaluation of the Austrian subsidy programme COMET, the company’s further development has been secured until 2024 and should be continued until 2028 after a midterm evaluation. Over the next four years, the Federal Republic, the Province of Lower Austria, the Province of Vorarlberg and cooperation partners from the industrial sector will provide a budget of 43 million euros. The centre’s annual turnover including direct orders from the industrial sector and numerous subsidies from Brussels for EU projects amount to about 14 million euros per year. Across the projected term of eight years this results in a volume of more than 110 million euros that will be turned over at the headquarters in Wiener Neustadt. The competence centre for tribology executes practical research in the areas of friction, wear and lubricant application in order to increase the quality and reliability of devices, machines and plants. Lower energy and material consumption aim to contribute significantly to environmental protection e.g. by reducing CO2 emissions. Tribology is omnipresent in everyday life: A car, for example, uses oil in its gearbox to reduce friction. It’s exactly the other way around with brakes: here you want friction. In tribology research, methods that fall under the general term “artificial intelligence” will become of utmost significance in the years to come in order to reduce energy consumption. Here, the competence centre’s research area meets the digitisation strategy of the Province of Lower Austria. Another example: When starch becomes adhesive In spring 2019, a new research project that the Plastics Cluster in Lower Austria started with an idea that could revolutionise industrial adhesive from top to bottom: The aim is to develop a process that turns potato, maize and corn starch into bio-based, environment-friendly adhesives for the building sector or in chipboards. Project partners on the research side of things are IFA Tulln, the competence centre for wood (Wood K Plus) and the Vienna University of Technology. The three leading Lower Austrian companies
Picture: Test Fuchs
Smart province
Testing devices from Test-Fuchs GmbH from Groß-Siegharts are used all around the world.
Metadynea, Murexin and Agrana are also part of the BioSet project. The focus is on the mechanistic research of encymical oxidation in starch and lignin for new bio-based adhesives. “Starch is one of the most significant, appealing and suitable renewable raw materials for a bio-based value chain,” says Martin Kozich, who is in charge of the department Starch for Technical Applications at the Agrana Research & Innovation Center GmbH in Tulln. “Our starches are being used already in a number of areas as adhesive. We massively back sustainable and environment-friendly refinement processes, which is why the BioSet project is so appealing to us.” The project aims to develop a process that will open up other fields of application for starch as an adhesive with the help of enzymes. Wolfgang Kantner, Head of the Research and Development Department at Metadynea from Krems explains: “We are focussing on low formaldehyde emissions from products that are made with our resin and glue systems. We can already reduce the emissions to the level of natural wood. On top of that, resin and glue systems free of formaldehyde, particularly when they come from renewable raw materials, are of utmost significance to us due to their sustainability.” Modified starches could replace wood glue in chip boards and thus make for a completely bio-based product. Another field of application comes from a leading company located in Wiener Neustadt: Murexin is the market leader in Central and Eastern Europe in the field of special adhesives for the building sector. The demands for adhesives for various applications are manifold in the building sector and the combination of starch with lignin in particular could lead to numerous innovative adhesives. The location for this adhesive research will be the Ecoplus Technopole in Tulln, where around 1,000 researchers work in the fields of natural resources and bio-based technologies. ◆
World Champion Austria
92_93
Leading Company
Lightweight steels The internationally established Delta Bloc product line, which became the world’s most successful und comprehensive vehicle restraint system within 25 years of its inception, has grown once again: Delta Bloc International CEO Thomas Edl presented a completely new, revolutionary system of steel barriers at the German Road Systems Days in Cologne in June 2019 and caused excitement among road authorities all over the world. (Delta Bloc International GmbH is a subsidiary of the Kirchdorfer Group with its headquarters in Lower Austrian Sollenau.) The Steelbloc Prodigy series was introduced in March 2019 and features a completely new way of construction, impact reaction and installation of steel barriers. Regular steel barriers, which have been constructed the same way for decades, have hardly modellable deflection properties during impact. In order to meet various demands and different restraint levels, they are constructed in a fairly heavy and complex way with a number of subvariants. The road safety experts at Delta Bloc have created a radically new and patented design of universally usable posts that go along the in-house concept of “supermodularity”: The slim Steelbloc posts have a uniform depth of penetration and can be connected through planks at different distances with only a few screws, making them compatible with an unlimited number of systems in the vehicle restraint classes N2, H1 and H2. The lightweight Steelbloc system eliminates complexity while surpassing the performance of regular steel barriers in numerous impact tests according to EN 1317. Successful operation After an intensive two-year development period with an international team of experts, the new system has not only stood its ground in a number of crash tests but has already been in use for months in several countries.
Pictures: Postl/Deltabloc (2)
Delta Bloc underlines its market and technology leadership in vehicle restraint systems by entering a new market segment.
Less components for less complexity without any limitation in safety
Thomas Edl, Head of Road & Traffic at Kirchdorfer Group
By entering this complementary business area, Thomas Edl sees his company in a unique position: “We are the only provider in the world that can offer seamless safety: a modular und gapless interaction of prefabricated concrete parts, in-situ concrete solutions and steel barriers. The holistic approach of our vehicle restraint systems thus enters a new chapter in passive traffic safety.” Steelbloc Prodigy is available in design heights of 75 and 90 centimetres and can be connected not only to Delta Bloc systems but also to existing products of third parties. ◆
World Champion Austria Leading company
In safe hands with plant manufacturer Pörner The company from Gablitz installs the latest access control systems, fire alarms and other safety systems.
T
he hierarchy of needs by American psychologist Abraham Maslow (1908-70) shows that right after physiological needs safety is the second most important need of all. Striving for safety is thus a fundamental need, necessary to lead and design your life from an anthropological point of view. “Modern material security is about things such as anti-burglary protection or property protection i.e. the recognition, limitation and defence against threats towards material and virtual facilities, objects and things in general,” explains Rainer A. Walter, founder, owner and managing director of Pörner Anlagenbau from Gablitz near Vienna. “Fundamentally, efficient security technology deals with preventive measures against events and crimes as well as the limitation and containment of such events and crimes and the resulting damage.” To be exact, hazard alert systems, e.g. for fires, break-ins, robberies, emergencies etc., video surveillance systems and similar systems are considered monitoring technology.
Full range of solutions No matter whether we speak of fire alert systems, video surveillance or entry control – the demand for all these security systems in private and public buildings has increased sharply over the last few years. Not only in Austria but also abroad. Therefore, Pörner Anlagenbau has grown rapidly since its establishment in 1999 and has become a leading complete solution provider in this field. The Salzburg Provincial Court is a good example: Pörner Anlagenbau installed one of Austria’s most modern security systems there, covering all levels. The building was equipped with a digital video surveillance system, alarm systems and a biometric entry control system to increase security significantly. In addition, an evacuation and PA system informs staff and visitors of important rules in case of emergency – simple and in an adequate volume. Alarm displays were installed across the entire
Pictures: Pörner Anlagenbau
Security on all levels
In his spare time, Managing Director Rainer Walter plays the drums in the Band “It Might Get Loud”.
Pörner Anlagenbau GmbH offers turnkey installation and implementation of security systems, CAD planning and support throughout the official application for commercial and industrial companies. In addition to classic security systems such as fire, alarm, video and entry control systems, Pörner Anlagenbau also operates as a general contractor for electrical engineering and thus as a full-range supplier for all electric installations. Pörner can look back on renowned clients and impressive projects across the board. https://www.poerner.net
94_95
Pörner Anlagenbau protects authorities, industrial and commercial companies with its expertise in security technology and electric engineering.
“Occasionally, we also operate as a general contractor for electric court building, allowing staff to quickly pass on information on engineering in the consortia of large construction companies,” says dangers and emergencies. “A security control centre guarantees Walter about the biggest pillars of turnover for Pörner Anlagenbau. the seamless operation of the security system and quick reaction “Our experts have a large scope of know-how,” Walter says. to all kinds of threats,” says Walter. Complex fire alarm systems for various parts of a building includPörner Anlagenbau has also implemented a similar flagship ing a direct connection to the fire brigade, the control of elevators project in Austria’s capital: The security system at Vienna’s Labour and many other things are no and Social Welfare Court conobstacle. sists of several thousand comThe entire know-how for ponents. Fire protection, video “A sophisticated electric security concept is indispeneach business field and prosurveillance and other security sable for large businesses in times of digitisation.” ject comes straight from Pörnsystems worth more than one er Anlagenbau and thus from million euros were installed. Rainer A. Walter the horse’s mouth – from CAD planning to the project draft, Full range of clients from project management to the creation of complex security Among Pörner Anlagenbau’s clients are police departments, prissolutions and industrial implementation as a general contractor ons, embassies, provincial and district courts, OPEC, the Ministry for electric engineering. In order to constantly meet the aboveof Justice, Verbund, Austrian Hydro Power, ISOVER, Uhl Group and average quality standards, the company uses the quality manVamed. The Danube Power Plants have ordered 40,000 (!) fire agement system ISO 9001. Another reward for the company’s alarms. Builders and schools also turn increasingly to Pörner. Curexcellent achievements are renowned awards such as the Ausrently, the company fits half a dozen residential building projects trian Export Prize and the Young Entrepreneurs Award. ◆ with its products; the largest thereof consists of 140 apartments.
World Champion Austria Bright future
Cosmic ambitions Austria’s best-known space company RUAG Space builds thermal insulation for European rocket Ariane 6. “We have more than 25 years of experience with high-quality thermal insulation for satellites,” says Andreas Buhl, Managing Director of RUAG Space Austria. “Building on this knowledge, we have entered a new market segment and produce thermal insulation for launch vehicles.” The company is delivering the heat protection for the new European rocket Ariane 6, which will launch for the first time in 2020.
Coming from the new production hall RUAG Space will produce the new product line in a newly built clean room adjacent to its existing production facility in Berndorf. The company is the European market leader in the field of thermal insulation for satellites. Thermal insulation from RUAG Space protects almost every European satellite from extreme heat and cold in space, among those e.g. European-Japanese Mercury probe BepiColombo launched in October 2018 or ESA’s Solar Orbiter (scheduled to launch in 2020). Also, many international and commercial customers rely on thermal insulation from RUAG Space. As a spinoff from its space activities, the company is producing, among other things, thermal insulation for medical applications such as MRI scanners and for energy applications, e.g. thermal insulation for Liquid Natural Gas tanks. ◆
Picture: ESA/D.Ducros
Protection from heat up to 1,500 degrees Celsius The high-temperature insulation for launchers consists of glass and ceramic materials. “During the journey from Earth to space the launcher engines have to withstand extreme heat from up to 1,500 degree Celsius for a few minutes,” Buhl explains. These temperatures are much highArtist’s impression of European rocket Ariane 6 er than the typical -150 to +150 degree Celsius a thermal insulation for satellites has to withstand in orbit. “But we can use a lot of the knowledge we gained in more than 50 Austria’s largest space company satellite projects,” says Buhl. The new European rocket Ariane 6 is built by ArianeGroup on RUAG Space is the leading supplier to the space industry in behalf of the European Space Agency (ESA). ArianeGroup is the Europe and has a growing presence in the United States. lead contractor for Europe’s Ariane 5 and Ariane 6 launcher families, About 1,300 employees in six countries develop and manufacresponsible for both design and the entire production chain, up to ture products for satellites and launch vehicles-playing a key and including marketing by its Arianespace subsidiary. role both in the institutional and commercial space market. The first launch of Ariane 6 is scheduled for 2020. In 2019, RUAG http://www.ruag.com Space will complete the delivery of its thermal insulation for the Ariane 6 maiden flight.
World Champion Austria
96_97
Future leading company
Mides is of an ultrasound mind In mid-July ultrasound repair experts Mides opened a new centre of competence in Graz. company Hofer Medical is part of the Medical Technology Divison at Mides. Only two years ago Endomobil from Hamburg was added. “We keep broadening our range of services and thanks to these synergies we can put even more effort into technological innovations. Also, we manage to push our province Styria in the field of sustainable medical technology,” Brunner says. Due to the continuous path of growth, Mides is constantly hiring new technicians that have excellent fine-motor skills to work in ultrasound probe repair. “We are looking for versatile, technically gifted people for probe repairs, analytical tasks and the construction of new measurement devices.” Mides is thus underlining trailblazing know-how from Styria and shows the future potential of the growth industry that is medical technology. ◆ Managing Director Christian Brunner
One of Austria’s most modern high-tech centres wants to turn the Styrian capital into a beacon of the domestic medical technology sector. “We are very happy with this move as our old location was bursting at the seams,” Mides Managing Director Christian Brunner explains. “In any case, we now have ample room for expansion. We kept growing with the constantly rising order volume and can keep developing our economic and technological reach.” The new building has been designed with the staff in mind, going by the motto “I’m going home to work” and ensures a certain feelgood factor. Extraordinarily, women make up more than 50 percent of staff. The Mides Group keeps growing Since June 2019, the Fürstenfeld-based
Fotos: Mides (2)
Mides serves fifty markets around the world
The new Mides headquarters at the Graz Innovation Park helps healthcare providers to save millions every year by repairing thousands of ultrasound probes.
Mides is a fast-growing expert for ultrasound probe repairs and offers physicians as well as hospitals a cost advantage of up to 60 percent by repairing defective probes. The in-house development expertise keeps constantly expanding. Mides also operates as a dealer in ultrasound devices. About 90 staff – 30 have joined since 2016 – have been ensuring business success for years. The company recorded a turnover of 14,4 million euros in the past business year. https://mides.com
World Champion Austria Outstanding digitisation
The Austrian champions of digitisation In April, Federal Minister for Digital and Economic Affairs Margarete Schramböck awarded the State Prize for Digitisation for the very first time.
T
Picture: Lindner Traktorenwerk GmbH
he Federal Ministry for Digital and Economic Affairs grants this new prize as its highest honour in recognition of outstanding digital products, services and applications in Austria. The three categories comprise the main aspects of digitisation: “Digital Products and Solutions” and “Digital Transformation” as well as a changing category; this year it dealt with “Artificial Intelligence”. “Digitisation is not only a far-reaching transformation of our society and our economy but also the most important growth factor,” says Minister Margarete Schramböck. An independent expert jury selected a winner in each category and two more projects from a total of 115 submissions.
Tractor manufacturer Lindner from Kundl researches AI for grassland tractors.
Digital Products and Solutions The State Prize in this category went to Hydrogrid: The “software as a service” solution designed to optimally control and operate small hydropower plants is based on a fundamentally new approach to optimise small power stations. An interface at the control system of power plants takes over the operative processes for an optimum prognosis, control and marketing of the plants. The Austrian Institute of Technology from Vienna was nominated for its project Graphsense: This European research project offers solutions for online criminal offences in the area of digital payments and digital contracts. The open source technology consists of several methods to detect cybercrimes. Another nominee was Tablet Solutions GmbH, also from Vienna, with its creation WorkHeld: The intelligent voice assistant – a similar to Siri or Cortana for industrial technology – fully digitises entrepreneurial maintenance processes. Administrative processes are separated from the technicians. But WorkHeld still allows access to all relevant information such as project planning, work and travel time logging or fault management at any time. Digital Transformation The company Cubes from Salzburg won the State Prize in the category “Digital Transformation”. The project completely digitalised the value chain in the production of casted close contour blocks for moulding in the important Austrian sectors of automobile and aircraft component supply. All work processes, from the offer to the 3D model and to the supplied model, have been transformed digitally. Nominee Humanomed IT Solutions GmbH from Carinthia developed eBody, a software that digitises all processes in a hospital from admission to release of a patient and thus reduces the administrative work. eBody is a web-based hospital information system that interlinks medical science, care and administration.
Pictures: BMDW/Matthias Silveri (2)
98_99
State Prize for Digital Products and Solutions: Jury spokesperson Karoline Simonitsch, Minister Margarete Schramböck and representatives of Hydrogrid GmbH
Werner Hörner, Johannes Eder and Managing Director Johannes Ambros of Humanomed IT Solutions
in the field of tourism is supported in this project by means of The innovative software solution was developed together with semi-automatic structuring, annotation and the recognition and doctors, care staff and administrators with a focus on high practilinkage of meaningful connections and correlations of contents. cal relevance. It gives patients and doctors the ability to plan The project achieves significant increases in the efficiency of treatments individually, online and up-to-date. Integrating the searches. The solution is user-friendly and the artificial intellidata into one workflow ensures a consistent documentation which gence used serves the support and automatisation. in turn improves the quality of the treatment. The other nominees in The other nominee in the the category “Artificial Intelcategory “Digital Transforma“The State Prize for Digitisation puts outstanding ligence” were a project that tion” was ivii.smartdesk by performances and best practices in the field of digitireacts to hate speech on the Styrian ivii GmbH. The Smartinternet and the infinitely desk allows for the complete sation in the spotlight. We have created a seal of variable grassland tractor quality assurance of an assemquality for great achievements and spread the word Lintrac110 from tractor manbly process. about the innovative potential of the digital sector.” ufacturer Lindner GmbH. Its Optical data is gathered and autonomous driving funcFederal Minister Margarete Schramböck made available for all users. tions allow for highly autoComplex image recognition and mated work. image processing systems capThe grassland tractor’s design comes with integrated sensors ture every component of the assembly process. A real-time feedthat detect its surroundings, recognise objects and serve as a 360 back system informs users instantly and attributes that have not degrees camera. Manually recorded work is repeated autonoyet been learned by the software are added manually. mously. This makes the model a trailblazing solution for the international markets. Artificial Intelligence The anti-racism non-profit organisation ZARA Zivilcourage und The Austrian State Prize in the category “Artificial Intelligence” Anti-Rassismus-Arbeit commissioned the advertising agency went to the Salzburger Land tourism board for the project “TourTUNNEL23 Werbeagentur GmbH to use artificial intelligence as ist Knowledge Graph of Salzburger Land”. Digital communication
World Champion Austria
_100
Picture: BMDW/Matthias Silveri
Outstanding digitisation
State Prize for Digital Transformation: Jury spokesperson Karoline Simonitsch, Minister Margarete Schramböck and representatives of Cubes GmbH
Gertrude Kappel founded the “Vienna Informatics Living Lab” in 2018, which creates a computer sciences information programme for school. In its first step it curated the exhibition “Adventure Computer Sciences” at the Campus Favoritenstraße. ◆
Jury Prize and Special Award “Digital Woman Award” In addition to the State Prizes two more awards were handed out: The Jury Prize for “Digital Administration” for the best marketready, innovative digital applications and solutions in administration went to the project “Electronic Access to Records (Justice 3.0)” by the Federal Ministry of Constitutional Affairs, Reforms, Deregulation and Justice. The jury decided that the project represents an exemplary Austrian digitisation solution with an immediate positive effect for all parties in legal proceedings, which in turn speeds up court cases massively and optimises resources. The Special Award “Digital Woman Leader” went to Gertrude Kappel, Professor for Business Informatics at the Vienna Institute of Technology and an internationally recognised researcher. Her project “Women’s Postgraduate College for Internet Technologies” was the first role model for the promotion of women in technology in Austria; today it serves as a standard element for quality assurance in PhD programmes.
The Jury Prize went to the project „Electronic Access to Records“ by the Ministry of Justice.
Picture: Hannes Fuß
part of a social media campaign for the very first time. The AI reacts to hate speech on Twitter with calming videos: Machine learning algorithms analyse Twitter comments in real-time and offer a solution for a rising problem in the digital age.
corporAID advocates business, development and global corporate responsibility.
eye-opening
developmen global sustainable
eye-opening
unique
Partners of the corporAID Platform
responsible
sustainable www.corporaid.at
World Champion Austria Advertorial
Smart cities, intelligent (e-)mobility and much more The Austrian Ministry for Transport, Innovation and Technology (BMVIT) is home to research, making it a key future aspect for Austria’s worldclass business location. Just what the BMVIT does for highly innovative areas and initiatives, such as the Silicon Austria Labs, will be outlined on the next eight pages.
Smart cities: City of the Future A few years ago, the BMVIT started to tackle the big social challenge posed by urbanisation. On an international level, the ministry is involved in the transnational programme initiative JPI Urban Europe. JPI Urban Europe creates a comprehensive and system-orientated approach to urban challenges, which takes into consideration technological aspects as well as social, economic and ecological issues. On an international level, the BMVIT is involved in the research and technology development programme “City of the Future”. Here is an example: Due to climate change and the increasing expansion of excessive heat hotspots in urban areas, it is expected that the amount of air conditioning for interior cooling and therefore electricity consumption in summer will increase enormously. The additional waste heat generated from air conditioning has an undesirable effect on the microclimate, which will subsequently have a negative impact on people’s health and quality of life. The BMVIT recognised this early on and is vigorously carrying out research in the field of cooling buildings in a sustainable and energy-efficient manner. Supporting measures such as photonic
cooling, solar thermal cooling systems, silent cooling all the way to “energy sponges“ serve the research, development and testing of innovative and energy-efficient cooling systems. The BMVIT’s activities are particularly well represented in the “District of the Future” in Graz – a beacon project in the truest sense of the word. This high-rise building is 60 metres tall and features the latest technology; it is to be the flagship of a hightech city district in the Styrian capital, paving the way to a future smart city. The Graz “beacon” is clad in “energy glass”, which is a special type of glass with in-built dye-sensitised solar cells. These are transparent, reddish brown glass panes that can generate electricity using a process similar to photosynthesis in plants.
Picture: Wienerberger
T
he BMVIT is responsible for applied research and technology development within the federal government. Austrian businesses are indispensable partners in this field; they have to be motivated to invest (even) more into the area of research, technology and innovation as well as into cooperative work with research facilities. Contributions in the field of research, technology and innovation are part of the fundamental goals of the BMVIT’s corresponding measures for solving social challenges.
The Smart City flagship project “Aspern Die Seestadt Wiens”
102_103
Smart City Living Climate and Energy goals of the European Council
for 2030... (compared to 1990):
SMART FARMING SMART ENERGY SYSTEM
•
vertical farming, facade greening, urban farming
•
smart grids
•
smart storage
... reduce greenhouse-gas emission by 40% ... reduce energy consumption by 27%
... increase renewable energy share to 27%
SMART MANUFACTURING
SMART ENERGY
zero emission production & industry 4.0
windenergy
solarenergy
SMART BUILDING
biogas refurbishment temperature electric to plus-energy appliances standard; thermal energy remotely storage controllable!
SMART GOVERNANCE
SMART MOBILITY
Foto: pixabay, gemeinfrei
reduce energy consumption
temperature& weather sensors
SMART WASTE
public transport
€ €€
crowd funding & new business models
geothermal energy
SMART SENSORS
PV-facade
SMART SERVICES
open data & e-government
hydropower
community building & new forms of information sharing
bikesharing e-car sharing
everything within easy reach
smart logistics
sustainable separation & disposal
urban mining & re-use
Quelle: Bundesministerium für Verkehr, Innovation und Technologie
Wind will also be “tapped“: In future, special wind turbines embedded in the roof construction will spin almost silently, while on the ground, underneath the Science Tower, a geothermal facility will extend 200 metres below and will heat the building in winter and cool it in summer. The striking tower is the centre of a smart district with living space for 3,500 residents and jobs for around a thousand people. Schools, local amenities, a hospital and a large park within walking distance guarantee very attractive infrastructure for the local residents. The ambitious innovations have borne lofty fruits: On the 14th floor of the Science Tower and at eye level with the Graz Tower Clock, bananas are being grown on the roof garden. The Science Tower can produce and store energy, and when necessary release it – not “only” for the environmental technology companies who are renting, but also for all the electric vehicles in the district. This will definitively render this smart city a technological and social pilot project and will demonstrate how the sharing economy works in practice.
Aspern, Vienna’s Seestadt as a smart city flagship project Until 2028, in the north-eastern part of Austria’s capital, Seestadt Aspern, is “growing” as part of the initiative Smart City Vienna. The growing district is an ideal testing ground for new approaches in the field of urban development and includes cross-sectional material in all areas of city life, spanning infrastructure, energy and mobility as well as the entirety of urban development. The consortium of Siemens, Wiener Netze, Wien Energie, Wirtschaftsagentur Wien and Wien 3420 AG, shows, among other things, that cities of the future can function in a climate friendly manner. Based on international experiences, the whole system will be researched with buildings, power supply, communication and information technology as well as user behaviour in a big energy research programme. Three buildings – housing, student accommodation and an education campus – will be the objects of smart building research. Equipped with photovoltaics, solar thermal energy, hybrid sys-
World Champion Austria
Picture: schreinerkastler
Advertorial
tems, heat pumps as well as different thermal and electric storage facilities, the buildings will not “only” act as an energy consumer but also as power plants. Users constitute a particularly important component in the research activity. Far more than a hundred households in Seestadt Aspern have explicitly agreed to having their energy consumption and room control data used for research purposes. The “Smart Home Control App” allows participating users to control their heating, air conditioning and several different household appliances in their apartments via smartphone or tablet. The BMVIT is therefore concentrating very heavily on urban conurbations, as these are home to the majority of European inhabitants. They are the driving force of economic development and are responsible for a large part of energy consumption and emissions. Within the city system, the buildings sector still makes up a central starting point when it comes to energy scenarios and demonstrates the big potential for improving energy efficiency and reducing greenhouse-related emissions in light of international energy and climate policy aims and objectives. It is therefore not enough for “only” the new districts of a city to be future-orientated. Innovations in the renovation of existing
buildings have to also provide for higher energy efficiency, cost efficiency, affordability, comfort and hygiene. This can be achieved via prefabricated façade systems, solutions for energy-optimised additional storeys and urban consolidation as well as through energy optimisation models for listed buildings. Reducing the consumption of heating oil and gas and switching to renewable energy sources in this case is just as necessary as using regional waste heat and developing more intelligent (smarter) electricitydriven heat generation systems. A current, exciting example, which has attracted attention across Europe, is the first sustainable and intelligent football stadium in Austria. The Austrian Society for Sustainable Construction and ABB, among others, have used innovative building technology and electrification solutions on Horrplatz Square to turn the Generali Arena stadium for FK Austria Vienna into a model sports venue. The solar panels on the roof of the northern stand, for example, are a part of this. Overall, the entire valueadded chain for the stadium’s electrification, from its mediumvoltage distribution down to each individual plug, has been raised to a modern level. Some of the highlights among the solutions are the compact switchboard SafePlus (10kV) for safe en-
104_105
Picture: ABB/Daniel Auer
Mit innovativen Gebäudetechnikund Elektrifizierungslösungen wurde aus der Generali-Arena des FK Austria Wien eine Vor zeigesportstätte geformt.
ergy distribution in the stadium, two dry-type transformers at 1,000 kVA which fully correspond to the European Union’s newest energy efficiency standards, the ABB i-bus KNX-system for the regulation of intelligent buildings for the linking and bi directional synchronisation of all components of the stadium for lighting, shading, heating, air conditioning and ventilation, integrated load management for maximum energy savings and much more. All over Europe multifunctionality and a strong interconnection of buildings with self-sustaining infrastructure, decentralised energy storage, local production of renewable energy and intelligent energy management should be on offer for existing districts/areas (such as was the case, for example, for the Generali Arena, which was already built in 1925). Synergy between different building units have to be made use of, investment costs have to be lowered and energy efficiency increased. Buildings and districts are transformed from energy consumers into decentralised power plants and contribute to balancing out the local thermal and electrical energy processes (production and demand) across sectors. This also requires the development and testing of integral planning tools on a district level, which take into consid-
eration the different interests and circumstances of users, and which holistically implement concepts for entire districts (new constructions and renovations). By 2050, these measures should ensure that existing buildings in Austria, when viewed across their entire lifecycles, no longer emit greenhouse gases and are run in an energy-efficient, climate-neutral manner. The world-class microelectronic research centre In Graz (University of Technology Campus), Linz (Science Park) and Villach (High-Tech Campus) integrating, expanding and setting up research capacities in the field of electronic based systems (EBS) is receiving a boost in order to strengthen and further develop the Austrian microelectronics industry as well as industrial EBS users in the long-term. Up to 500 high-tech jobs have been created in these three research centres, which means that in the age of rapid digitalisation and automation, Silicon Austria is contributing significantly to making Austria competitive and sustainable as a finance and innovation location. This is important, considering electronics and microelectronics form the foundations of digitisation and there-
World Champion Austria Advertorial
Picture: BMIVT
fore for promising business fields of the future. Already a tenth of worldwide economic output is dependent on electronics and the services that go with it. At the campus of the Graz University of Technology, fields of work and research comprise subsystem integration, interoperability and modelling. In system integration, virtual and real components are brought together: This is how all systems function in a self-driving car, such as radar sensors, internet connection and GPS receivers, which all seamlessly work together thanks to system integration, come rain or shine. The Science Park in Linz focuses on high frequency. It is needed to send and receive large amounts of data securely. The key term is mobile communication (5G). This will allow self-driving cars to communicate with other cars in future, in order to avoid accidents and to relay data to the driver at relevant points. At the High Tech Campus in Villach on the other hand, research is being undertaken on intelligent sensor technology and power electronics. In future, self-driving cars will require hundreds of sensors to avoid obstacles. Power electronics make sure this can happen in a small, light and energy-saving manner. Silicon Austria means Austria is pooling its capabilities in the field of electronics as well as in hardware and software and is therefore also strengthening the international positioning of its companies. Its starting point is good: Austria has a strong electronics industry and several world market leaders. Over 63,000 people work in 188 electronics companies in Austria. Additionally, the microelectronics industry is regarded by far as the most researchintensive field in the country. How the BMVIT is pushing the mobility transformation The BMVIT is also working vigorously on solutions for a transformation of mobility system, as this is necessary now more than ever. Making up 45 percent of total emissions in non-emissions trading, the transport sector is one of the leading producers of greenhouse gases in Austria. Furthermore, the transport sector is responsible for 80 percent of petrol consumption in Austria and therefore significantly contributes to fine dust and nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions which are hazardous to health. The BMVIT has been supporting the mobility transformation in this area for years by providing funding for purchasing electric
cars, electric bikes, commercial vehicles and buses, as well as for the expansion of e-charging infrastructure. Programme Zero Emission Mobility, the electric mobility project that supports the implementation of the framework of the climate and energy strategy #mission2030 using the Climate and Energy Fund, has become an important tool in this area. The focus is on 100 percent electrification of vehicles and the development and testing of intelligent charging infrastructure and zero emission logistics as well as zero emission mobility solutions. FlyGrid is an example of such a funded project: At the Graz University of Technology, a high-performance flywheel energy storage device is being worked on, which could be integrated into a fully-automated quick charging station. In order to make high charging capacities available, i.e. above 100 kW, traditional charging stations need a correspondingly strong grid connection. They either need to be operated close to transformer stations or require an expensive grid expansion. FlyGrid will ideally avoid a costly grid expansion yet still provide high charging capacity and moreover, make use of decentralised, renewable sources in an optimum way. Electromechanical flywheel energy storage devices are particularly suitable for this purpose; decentralised buffer storage can maintain the stability of the power grid even with a high pervasion of e-mobility and also significantly facilitate the integration of renewable, volatile energy sources, as they are far superior to chemical batteries with regards to durability and recycling. Key elements for efficient flywheel technologies are high-strength, rapid turning rotors and low-loss storage concepts – the features of the rotors determine how much energy can be stored, while the bearing friction for the self-discharging of storage devices is essential. The project will be carried out by a consortium in cooperation with the Chair of Energy Network Technology at the University of Leoben and Energy Grids Styria. The technology will be entirely developed in Austria and produced in Europe independent of the Asian market. Independence from necessary raw materials is necessary for the energy transition and is just as important as independence from imported oil: If Austria manages to implement the FlyGrid concept as planned, it will decisively be one step closer to a carbon-neutral future.
106_107
Other important ongoing projects on electric mobility c H2 buses of Holding Graz: the project Move2Zero should see the complete decarbonisation of Graz’s city bus system. c H2 snow groomer (FEN Systems): The project HySnowGroomer uses fuel cells to push decarbonisation in winter tourism. Mountain rescue services will also have a better chance of moving at a quick pace. c Zero emission food delivery (i-LOG): ZERO logistics c E-charging management: Vienna University of Technology: URCHARGE = intelligent load management for the widespread use of charging infrastructure in urban areas.
Foto: Siemens
Moreover, two R&D projects are being funded: c Opportunities in value creation: Fraunhofer Austria: E-MAPP 2, e-mobility – Austrian production potential, qualification and training requirement c Quantity structures in transport: Environment Agency Austria: Path2ZeroCarbonTrans, the path towards an emission-free transport sector All in all, the last year has set a record for e-mobility in Austria: Roughly 1,000 electric passenger cars (BEV, PHEV) signified a new vehicle registration record in March. October saw the highest share of new e-car registrations with 4.1 percent and November had the highest ever number of purely electric new registrations with 862 battery electric vehicles (BEV).
Across Austria, Vorarlberg has the highest amount of BEVs in total with 0.76 percent, ahead of Salzburg and Tyrol. The most popular BEV model in Austria is the Renault Zoe with 4,951 registered vehicles, followed by the BMW i3 and Volkswagen E-Golf. Currently, alternative driving systems, such as the e-HGV from MAN, the hydrogen bus operating along the Vienna Airport Lines and many other e-buses are being tested by Vienna’s public transport authority Wiener Linien and in Carinthia. “World champions” in drone testing When it comes to the development and operation of test infrastructure for unmanned aerial systems, the BMVIT is working with a consortium from the University of Applied Sciences Joanneum in Graz with 24 renowned partners from the world of finance and science, who want to realise a unique multi-site concept on six levels, which will cover research and development, validation as well as implementation under realistic conditions beyond all technological levels of readiness. This will permit many different types of uses for drones to be tested, such as features for flight dynamics during challenging weather conditions in the Alpine area, flight operations in cities as well as surveillance of critical infrastructure such as energy grids. This unique selling point renders Austria significantly more attractive and stronger as a business location on the world stage. Infrastructure makes it possible for the BMVIT to create the
World Champion Austria
Picture: Infineon
Advertorial
framework conditions to implement these directives on a national scale, while coordinating continuously with representatives from the fields of research and the economy. The testing of different uses for unmanned aerial systems (UAS) will become possible and new solutions from research & development initiatives could be put into practice in the laboratory as well as in the field. The world first in automated vehicles In 2019, an international research & development centre for the automotive and rail industry called the Virtual Vehicle Research Center opened the Drive.LAB in Graz. This platform for development and research optimises the interaction between people and automated vehicles and focuses on the newly conceived driving simulator “Human Centered Driving Simulator“, which will investigate the interactions between the driver, passengers, the vehicle and other transport users in complex situations. Forecasting models will now be created to make the behaviour of automated vehicles as close to the behaviour and reaction patterns of people as possible and to increase the acceptance and trustworthiness of the relationship between people and computers with a “driving instructor“ for automated vehicles. This link between automated driving manoeuvres and people’s behaviour
is of particular importance if a self-driving vehicle should come across a complex scenario involving a mix of automated and nonautomated vehicles and other transport users. Trust and acceptance are essential key elements necessary to penetrating the market for autonomous vehicles. In order to dismantle distrust of these systems, it is not enough to “merely” exhaust the vehicle’s possibilities when it comes to its physical components and its control technology: People’s subjective expectations also have to be taken into consideration. This is why, along with its research partners and under the umbrella term ‘human-like systems’, the research department at Human Centered Solutions is developing structures for the virtual vehicle which adapt to human behaviour and therefore make it more understandable and comprehensible to people. In order to do this, human drivers are exposed to various different traffic conditions and their mental and physical conditions as well as their behaviour are systematically recorded. To record their status, measurement technology is used, which can register the driver’s awareness as well as his actions and movement patterns. Tools like eye-trackers, time-of-flight cameras, wearables and microphones are used in order to achieve this. In this way, scientists are able to identify distractions and understand movement patterns. The simulator creates highly complex driving scenarios, inte-
Picture: Bosch
108_109
grating into them realistic scenarios with hundreds of vehicles of various different models and with differing driving dynamics and sensors. Various transport users can react to each other via what is known as multi-ego vehicles. For the development of humanlike systems, Virtual Vehicle integrates the following three components into the Drive.LAB concept: c Driver Digital Twin: A “digital twin” of a human driver serves as an illustration of human behavioural models. It is continuously updated in order to help create the basis for all future steering actions. c Fluid Interaction: All interactions are fully recorded, taking into consideration information about the environment (such as the weather, road conditions, other transport users), the condition of the vehicle and the driver. In this adaptive way, the best possibilities will be determined in regards to warning the driver or preparing the next action. This predictive method of risk prevention, which includes integral factors, is being worked on at Virtual Vehicle under the name “Forsight Safety”. A multi-sensory, ever-present and omnidirectional system (termed “fluid interface“) constantly observes the driver in order to continuously enhance the “digital twin”. c AV instructor – the “driving instructor“ for autonomous vehicles: The data acquired in the simulator using human drivers is
used to create an evaluation system, which will then be used to train automated vehicles. These will be able to reproduce the behaviour of manually-operated vehicles during high safety margins and ultimately deliver a reliable evaluation system that evaluates the current style of driving of automated vehicles in real time and in real scenarios, and produces the basis for continuous improvements. ◆ Pages 102 to 109 were written in editorial cooperation with the Federal Ministry for Transport, Innovation and Technology (BMVIT).
Contact The BMVIT creates the framework for Austria’s infrastructure, from rails to roads, from waterways to airways and from telecommunications to technology development. Radetzkystraße 2, 1030 Wien Tel. +43 (0)1-711 62 65 0 www.bmvit.gv.at
Austrian showcase companies
At the heart of building technology The HERZ Group with its 3.000 employees and 31 production sites in Austria and abroad is one the most important manufacturers in the field of building technology. The product range includes fittings, control valves, thermostats for indoors installations in the areas of heating, cooling, plumbing, gas installations, biomass boilers up to 20,000 kW and heat pumps. With the range of the subsidiary Hirsch Servo AG (insulations from EPS and EPP), HERZ is a full-range provider in the HVAC sector. Our focus is on innovative products, highest quality standards and top customer satisfaction. HERZ, founded in 1896 and headquartered in Vienna, is active in more than 100 countries with its products.
Herz Armaturen GmbH Richard-Strauss-Straße 22 · A-1230 Vienna Tel.: +43 (0) 1 616 26 31-0 | Mail: office@herz.eu · Web: www.herz.eu
HOFMANN over 70 years of tradition Manufacturer of heat treatment plants for the automotive and aviation industry (aluminium and titanium) as well as the steel industry. Some of the world’s best-known companies are among our clients. Our export ratio is almost 85%. From the entire planning stage to programming and manufacturing – all from one source. You can count on HOFMANN quality. Nothing is left to chance.
ILF Consulting Engineers (ILF) is an international, fully independent engineering and consulting company that supports its clients in successfully implementing technically sophisticated industrial and infrastructure projects. The ILF Group employs more than 2,000 highly-qualified people at more than 40 offices across five continents. ILF supports its clients in the fields of Energy & Climate Protection, Water & Environment, Transport & Structures and Oil, Gas & Industrial to reach their sophisticated goals.
ILF Consulting Engineers Austria GmbH Feldkreuzstraße 3 6063 Rum/Innsbruck Austria E-Mail: info.ibk@ilf.com Tel. 0043 512 / 24 12 - 0
The Lower Austrian company is one of the major suppliers of of combustion plants for biogenic fuels. Polytechnik offers these systems with a range of performance of 300 - 30,000 kW. Hot water, high temperature water, steam and thermal oil are used as a heat transfer medium. The plants can be used to produce heating and process heat as well as to generate energy (200 kWel to 20,000 kWel). The company’s latest addition are carbonisation systems and the H.E.L.D. combustion technology (high efficiency and lowest emissions without flue gas cleaning). There are already more than 3,200 Polytechnik plants in operation all around the world; the export ratio amounts currently to more than 95%.
Polytechnik Luft- und Feuerungstechnik GmbH A-2564 Weissenbach, Austria Tel. +43/2672/890-0, Fax: 890-13 office@polytechnik.at · www.polytechnik.com
Austrian showcase companies
Industrie Informatik is more than a software provider. We have been committing ourselves for more than 28 years to making a long-term contribution to the sustainable increase in efficiency of our clients. In accordance with the progressive digitalisation along the entire value chain, we have positioned ourselves as a central hub and laid the foundations that allow Cronetwork users to consequently pursue the evolutionary path to Industry 4.0. Safely productive – with Industrie Informatik!
110_111
GEISLINGER – international market leader in couplings and dampers Geislinger develops and produces torsional vibration dampers, torsional elastic, high-damping couplings, misalignment couplings, composite shaft lines and torsional vibration monitoring systems for large engines and wind turbines. Products of Geislinger are used in sectors such as marine, mining, oil & gas, rail, power generation and wind power. With more than 60 years of experience Geislinger is one of the worldwide leading experts in providing solutions to control torsional vibrations.
Industrie Informatik GmbH Wankmüllerhofstraße 58 4020 Linz, Österreich Tel: +43 732 6978 - 0 www.industrieinformatik.com info@industrieinformatik.com
Hallwanger Landstraße 3, A-5300 Hallwang/Salzburg Tel. +43 662 66999-0, E-Mail: info@geislinger.com, Web: www.geislinger.com
SUNPOR Kunststoff GmbH Tiroler Straße 14, A-3105 St. Pölten Tel. +43 (0)2742 291-0 office@sunpor.at, www.sunpor.at
Sunpor – innovations for people and the environment Sunpor is one of Europe’s technology leaders in the production of granulate for premium EPS (expandable polystyrene). Producing by the latest standards with a focus on quality. Offering a wide range of different types for the application in insulation, protection and packaging as well as innovative special solutions. Providing comprehensive and personal support for users around the world. And having passion for one goal: the best ideas for EPS with additional ecological and economic value.
The name Meissl no longer only stands for various umbrella sizes, but also for individual large surface coverings and mobile wind protection walls. No matter how extreme the location or load may be, Meissl always finds a solution that not only convinces but that really inspires restaurateurs and their guests. Today, about 50 employees in more than 8,500 square meters of operating space are passionate in finding even better solutions for the family business, which was founded in 1976 and is now run by the second generation. And no matter where you are in the world, you will find Meissl concepts everywhere.
J. Meissl GmbH Ellmauthal 40, 5452 Pfarrwerfen, Tel: 06462/25100 E-Mail: office@meissl.com, Internet: www.meissl.com
Austrian showcase companies
Technologies for a clean future
Building with DELTA for top performance in the East
The disposal and preparation of different types of solid and liquid waste provide large logistical, technical and organizational challenges for cities and communes. M-U-T addresses precisely these issues and offers universal solutions from one source. M-U-T is a manufacturing company that undertakes in-house-development, planning, design, production, delivery, assembly and commissioning of machinery and plants in the sectors of municipal vehicles, conveying technology, environmental technology, education, water technology, and waste water technology.
DELTA stands for internationality with Austrian quality: Our staff goes the extra mile to secure our customers’ success. We accompanied our regular customers such as the XXXLutz Group to Germany. Drug store chain DM builds with DELTA Czech Republic, and DELTA Ukraine provides services to Leoni and Johnson & Johnson. Customers in the East are building with DELTA as our know-how has stood the test of time and meets the highest standards – no ifs and buts. In 2018 alone, DELTA took care of 300 projects and opened three new sites in Prague, Lviv and Fischamend. Grow with us: Together we are stronger.
Maschinen–Umwelttechnik–Transportanlagen Gesellschaft m.b.H.
DELTA
Schießstattgasse 49, A-2000 Stockerau, Tel. +43 2266 603-0 www.m-u-t.at, office@m-u-t.at
Kalkofenstraße 21, A-4600 Wels, tel: +43 (0)50-756-0, fax: +43 (0)50-756-701 mail: office@delta.at
For decades, ALGE-TIMING has been a major supplier in the sector of electronic sports timing. Our products are sold in more than 40 countries through an international network of independent sales partners.
The Chemson Group is one of the globally leading manufacturers of PVC stabilisers in the plastics industry. The Chemson products include additives and auxiliaries that are used in a wide range of end products. By varying the formulations, Chemson additives may be used for a wide range of different products, from easy-care window profiles to highly resistant PVC pipes, cables for onboard systems and innovative flooring. Since 2013, Chemson is part of the Turkish OYAK Group. OYAK is among Turkey’s largest industrial conglomerates and employs about 35,000 people in its service and industrial companies in the sectors automotive, steel, cement and energy.
ALGE-TIMING manufactures a large range of sports timing devices and display boards. Small sports clubs and timing experts appreciate our advice and individually tailored solutions. Winter sports are of major importance to us. More than 40 percent of Alpine FIS races around the world use systems from ALGE-TIMING. Our most important sports are swimming, track and field, equestrian, motorsport, cycling and skiing.
ALGE-TIMING GmbH
Chemson Polymer-Additive AG
Rotkreuzstrasse 39 · 6890 Lustenau · Austria Tel: +43-5577-85966 · Fax: +43-5577-85966-4 office@alge-timing.com · www.alge-timing.com
Industriestrasse 19 · 9601 Arnoldstein Phone: +43/4255-2226 · Fax: +43/4255-2435 E-Mail: sales@chemson.com
Austrian showcase companies
Quality with a system! That’s GIFAS ELECTRIC, an internationally operating company from Eugendorf near Salzburg. We guarantee premium electrotechnical system solutions. The portfolio of the long-established yet innovative company ranges from robust solid rubber junction boxes and cable reels for the highest demands to floor outlets, underground distributers and energy columns for indoors and outdoors, and even to the latest LED lights for industry and trade with almost unlimited scope of application. No matter whether you need a standard product or a customised solution, the GIFAS team meets all of our client’s wishes and implements them with the latest technologies in accordance with standards and regulations.
GIFAS ELECTRIC Gesellschaft m.b.H Strass 2 / 5301 Eugendorf bei Salzburg T: +43 6225 7191 0 · E: verkauf@gifas.at · W: www.gifas.at
The IMA Schelling Group is a reliable partner for the implementation of sophisticated system solutions. The product range encompasses panel saws and plants for material boards, automatic area storage systems, feeding and batch solutions for material boards from wood as well as precision saws and plants for plastics, non-ferrous metals, ferrous metals and conductor board materials, and even digital solutions. With ZIMBA, IMA Schelling brings the future into the present. The new IIoT and service platform gives machine users fundamental insight and target-oriented recommendations for efficient operation of the production chain.
112_113
Pfeifer: Passion for timber Tyrolean Pfeifer Group is among the leading players of the European timber industry. It employs about 2,000 people in eight locations in Austria, Germany and the Czech Republic. The product range includes sawn timber, profiled timber, shuttering panels, formwork beams, glulam, single and three-ply panels, pallet blocks, briquettes, pellets and bio power. Pfeifer exports to more than 90 countries. Bisnode’s credit rating puts Pfeifer Group among the best-rated Austrian companies.
Pfeifer Timber GmbH www.pfeifergroup.com
S4Science, the laboratory supplier for chemical engineering and environmental technologies We help our customers to overcome critical challenges by providing advanced solutions, scientific know-how and extensive experience. Thanks to our cooperation with innovative researchers, laboratory and industrial experts as well as universities all over Austria, we offer detailed findings and exact results to your questions. For a better environment, healthy food and a sustainable future.
IMA Schelling Group
Solutions 4 Science Handels GmbH
Gebhard-Schwärzler-Straße 34 · 6858 Schwarzach · Österreich Tel. +43 5572 396-0 · E-mail: info@imaschelling.com · Web: www.imaschelling.com
Wienerstraße 99 · 2514 Traiskirchen · Österreich +43 2252 520 238 · office@s4science.at
Austrian showcase companies
DOPPLER: The epitome of umbrellas for more than 70 years
Passion for development
Founded in 1946, Doppler is an internationally successful production and trading company for umbrellas, sunshades, seat rests and gardening accessories located. We focus on quality, innovation, diversity and customer-orientation with our brands Doppler, Doppler Manufaktur, Knirps and Derby. 80 percent of Doppler products go into global export. In addition to our headquarters in the Austrian town of Braunau, we have subsidiaries in five European countries and two sites in Asia.
Our custom-made special purpose machines are used for the automation of various production and manufacturing processes. We have become the world market leader in special solutions for the friction lining industry. Our hydraulic presses and special purpose machines are also used for processing composite materials. We have experience in thermoforming, preforming and BMC (bulk moulded compound) processes. We operate in the fields automotive, aviation and everywhere where lightweight construction and special solutions are needed.
doppler E. Doppler & Co GmbH
IAG Industrie Automatisierungsgesellschaft m.b.H
Schloßstraße 24 · A-5280 Braunau-Ranshofen Tel.: +43 (0) 7722 63205-0 · Fax: +43 (0) 7722 66918 · Mail: office@dopplerschirme.com
2722 Weikersdorf, Austria, Industriestraße 2 Tel +43 2622 21734/0, Fax +43 2622 21734/85, E-Mail sales@iag.at
of iNNoVaTioN
Clean Tech – Made in Austria The latest electrical systems for renewable energies, energy generation (medium and low voltage), environmental and water technology as well as software automation. We support you as a process partner in increasing efficiency, tackling challenges in connection to the digitisation of your processes and the necessary IT security. We guarantee the highest quality with the quality and safety certifications ISO 9001 and OHSAS 18001. The family business Schubert has been providing custom-made one-stop solutions for more than 50 years as a reliable partner with the highest standards in quality, flexibility and economic efficiency. Over the last three decades, FACC has risen from a small startup company in Upper Austria to a leading technology supplier to the global aerospace industry. Through our innovations, we actively contribute toward shaping the future of mobility. Because one thing is certain: the world continues to evolve. And so do we. EXPLORE OUR WORLD ON FACC.COM
Schubert Elektroanlagen Gesellschaft m.b.H Industriestraße 3, A-3200 Ober-Grafendorf Tel +43 2747 25 35 0, E-Mail office@schubert.tech
Austrian showcase companies
Think Green! Komptech is a leading international technology supplier of machinery and systems for the mechanical and mechanical-biological treatment of solid waste and for the treatment of biomass as a renewable energy source. The product range includes over 30 different types of machines, that cover all key process steps in modern waste handling - shredding, separation, and biological treatment. The focus is always on innovative technology and solutions that ensure the maximum customer benefit.
Komptech GmbH Kühau 37, 8130 Frohnleiten, Austria Tel: +43 3126 505-0, E-Mail: info@komptech.com
114_115
You can count on that! The Austria Seal of Quality lets companies communicate their extraordinary achievements and makes them stand above their competitors. Constant independent checks ensure high quality standards. Therefore, consumers and buyers have trusted the Austria Seal of Quality for more than 70 years in helping to make a purchase decision.
ÖQA „Österreichische Arbeitsgemeinschaft zur Förderung der Qualität“
Tel.: (+43 1) 535 37 48 E-Mail: oeqa@qualityaustria.com, Internet: www.austriaguetezeichen.at
The styrian wood screw conquers the world.
AME International GmbH is your partner for healthcare technology with more than 24 years of experience. Being a total solution provider and integrator for healthcare projects, our technological know-how and expertise in project management guarantee sustainable, costefficient solutions for clients and stake-holders in the healthcare sector – supported by a strong financial background and the access to project financing.
EASY SCREWS
TENZ® wood building screws reduce the screwing effort by up to 50%. This increases fun at work and protects man and machine.
AWARDED SCREWS
Our range of services includes • Consulting and Engineering • Medical package and turn-key solutions • E-health solutions
Several awards prove the innovative power of TENZ® wood screws: State Prize of Austria 2017 & 2019, Red Dot Award 2018 & 2019, German Design Award 2019, German Packaging Award 2017
Our vision is to improve healthcare delivery by using cutting edge technology!
AME International GmbH Hietzinger Hauptstraße 46, 1130 Wien Tel. +43 1 503 59 79, Fax +43 1 503 59 79 20 E-Mail: office@ame-international.com
WORLDWIDE SCREWS
TENZ GmbH Schmiedlstraße 1 8042 Graz, Austria +43 316 269 480 hello@tenz.at www.tenz.at
TENZ® technology has already started its worldwide success and is available in Italy, Switzerland and Austria. In the USA, TENZ® was placed as a successful ingredient brand in 2,200 DIY stores. The export quota is 90%, the target markets are constantly being expanded and new cooperations are being started.
World Champion Austria
The top stocks on the Vienna Stock Exchange in 2019
Major stocks listed on the Vienna By HELGA KRÉMER
Agrana Holding
Andritz
1020 Vienna, Friedrich-Wilhelm-Raiffeisen-Platz 1, Tel.: 43 (0) 1 211 37-0, www.agrana.com
8045 Graz, Stattegger Straße 18, Tel.: 43 (0) 316 69 02-0, www.andritz.com
Agrana is an internationally oriented Austrian company, which adds value to agricultural commodities to produce a wide range of industrial products for the processing sector. With around 9,400 staff at 58 production facilities around the world, Agrana maintains a global presence and generates consolidated revenues of almost 2.6 billion euros. Agrana was founded in 1988 and is listed on the Vienna Stock Exchange since 1991. The share of the Z&S Zucker und Stärke Holding AG in Vienna amounts to 78.34 percent of the capital stock; 2.74 percent belong to Südzucker AG and 18.92 percent of shares are in free float.
Andritz is a globally leading supplier of plants, equipment, and services for hydropower plants (Andritz Hydro), plants for the production of pulp and paper (Andritz Pulp & Paper), rolling and strip treatment plants (Andritz Metals) and communal and industrial sold/liquid separation (Andritz Separation). The Andritz Group is an internationally active technology corporation located in Graz. The company employs 29,000 staff at 280 locations in more than 40 countries.
CEO: Johann Marihart Management Board: Stephan Büttner, Fritz Gattermayer, Thomas Kölbl Supervisory Board: Erwin Hameseder, Wolfgang Heer, Klaus Buchleitner, Helmut Friedl, Hans-Jörg Gebhard, Ernst Karpfinger, homas Kirchberg, Josef Pröll u.a.
CEO: Wolfgang Leitner Management Board: Humbert Köfler, Mark von Laer (CFO), Joachim Schönbeck, Wolfgang Semper Supervisory Board: Christian Nowotny, Fritz Oberlechner, Jürgen Hermann Fechter, Alexander Isola, Monika Kircher, Kurt Stiassny, Georg Auer, Andreas Martiner, Monika Suppan
Agrana Holding Business Year: 1/3–28/2 ISIN: AT000AGRANA3 Segment: Prime Market, ATX TD, VÖNIX Type of shares: Common Number of shares: 62,488,976 Volatility (3 months): 27.5697 Last dividend: 4.50 euros per share Ex-dividend date: 11/07/2018 Market capitalisation: 1,191.0 mln euros First day of trading issuer: 10/07/1991
Andritz AG Business Year: 1/1–31/12 ISIN: AT0000730007 Segment: ATX, ATX FIVE, ATX GP, ATX TD Type of Share: Common Number fo shares: 104,000,000 Volatility (3 months): 32.9698 Last dividend: 1.55 euros per share Ex-dividend date: 29/03/2019 Market capitalisation: 3,348.8 mln euros First day of trading issuer: 25/06/2001
AMAG Austria Metall AG
AT&S
5282 Ranshofen, Lamprechtshausnerstraße 61, Tel.: 43 (0) 77 22 801-0, www.amag.at
8700 Leoben, Fabriksgasse 13, Tel.: 43 (0) 38 42 200-0, www.ats.net
AMAG is a leading Austrian premium producer of primary aluminium and high quality casting alloy, rolling products that are used in aeroplane and automotive manufacturing, in the packaging and building industry, in machinery construction and for lighting and for sports goods. With a share of about 75 to 80 percent of recycled materials being used in production, AMAG is one of the global leaders when it comes to recycling. Thanks to a share in Canadian Elektrolyse Alouette, AMAG is also a trailblazer in the sustainable production of primary aluminium.
Founded in 1987, AT&S is the largest manufacturer of printed circuit boards in Europe today, and one of the leading manufacturers of high-tech printed circuit boards and IC substrates. AT&S has production sites in Austria (Leoben, Fehring), India (Nanjangud), China (Shanghai, Chongqing) and Korea (Ansan). Each location specialises in a specific technology portfolio. The works in Austria, India and Kora specialise in small and medium-sized batches for the industrial and the automotive sector. In China, the company manufactures large batches of goods for customers in the field of mobile devices. The research units in Leoben and Shanghai are the technology drivers within the AT&S Group. AT&S employs about 10,000 people worldwide.
CEO: Gerald Mayer Chief technology Officer: Helmut Kaufmann, Supervisory Board: Herbert Ortner, Peter Edelmann, Heinrich Schaller, Wolfgang Bernhard, Patrick F. Prügger, Sabine Seidler, Franz Viehböck, Thomas Zimpfer, Max Angermeier, Robert Hofer, Günter Mikula, Martin Aigner
AMAG Austria Metall AG Business Year: 1/1–31/12 ISIN: AT00000AMAG3 Segment: Prime Market, ATX GP, VÖNIX Type of share: Common Number of shares: 35,264,000 Volatility (3 months): 17.9815 Last dividend: 1.20 euros per share Ex-dividend date: 16/04/2019 Market capitalisation: 1,100.2 mln euros First day of trading issuer: 08/04/2011
CEO: Andreas Gerstenmayer Management Board: Monika Stoisser-Göhring (CFO), Heinz Moitzi (COO) Supervisory Board: Hannes Androsch, Willi Dörflinger, Regina Prehofer, Gerhard Pichler, Georg Riedl, Karl Fink, Albert Hochleitner, Karin Schaupp et. al.
AT&S Austria Technologie & Systemtechnik AG Business Year: 1/4–31/3 ISIN: AT0000969985 Segment: ATX, ATX GP, VÖNIX Type of share: Common Number of share: 38,850,000 Volatility (3 months): 38.8968 Last dividend: 0,36 euros per share Ex-dividend date: 24/07/2018 Market capitalisation: 596,3 mln euros First day of trading issuer: 20/05/2008
117_117
Stock Exchange BAWAG Group AG
CA Immobilien Anlagen
1110 Vienna, Wiedner Gürtel 11, Tel.: 43 (0) 5 99 05, www.bawaggroup.com
1030 Vienna, Mechelgasse 1, Tel.: 43 (0) 1 532 59 07-0, www.caimmo.com
BAWAG Group is the listed holding company of BAWAG P.S.K., located in Vienna, with its subsidiaries Easybank, one of the country’s leading direct banks, Start:Bausparkasse in Austria and Südwestbank in Germany. It is one of Austria’s largest banks with more than, 2.5 million customers and is among the country’s best-known brands (Bank für Arbeit und Wirtschaft, Postsparkasse). 25.7 percent of the BAWAG Group are held by Cerberus Capital Management, 25.7 percent by GoldenTree Asset Management and 48.6 percent are in free float.
Founded in 1987, CA Immo oversees real estate assets of about 4.5 billion euros in Germany, Austria and Eastern Europe. The CA Immo Group divides its core activity into the business areas of letting investment properties and developing real estate. In both of these business areas, CA Immo specialises in commercial real estate with a clear focus on office properties in Central European capital cities. With 26%, Starwood Capital Group is the largest shareholder of CA Immo. The remaining shares (about 74% of the capital stock) are in free float of private and institutional investors.
CEO: Anas Abuzaakouk Management Board: Enver Sirucic (CFO), Stefan Barth, David O’Leary, Andrew Wise, Sat Shah Supervisory Board: Pieter, Korteweg, Christopher Brody, Egbert Fleischer, Fredrick Haddad, Adam Rosmarin, Kim Fennebresque, Ingrid Streibel-Zarfl, Beatrix Pröll, Verena Spitz
CEO: Andreas Quint Management Board: Keegan Viscius (CIO), Andreas Schillhofer (CFO) Supervisory Board: Torsten Hollstein, Florian Koschat, Richard Gregson, Michael Stanton, Klaus Hirschler, Monika Wildner, Jeffrey G. Dishner, Laura M. Rubin, Sarah Broughton et al.
BAWAG Group AG Business Year: 1/1–31/12 ISIN: AT0000BAWAG2 Segment: ATX Type of share: Common Number of shares: 100,000,000 Volatility (3 months): 28.9151 Last dividend: 2.1782 euros per share Ex-dividend date: 08/05/2019 Market capitalisation: 3,796 mln euros First day of trading issuer: 25/10/2017
CA Immobilien Anlagen AG Business Year: 1/1–31/12 ISIN: AT0000641352 Segment: ATX, IATX, VÖNIX Type of share: Common Number of shares: 98,808,332 Volatility (3 months): 17.2858 Last dividend: 0.90 euros per share Ex-dividend date: 13/05/2019 Market capitalisation: 3,285.4 mln euros First day of trading issuer: 20/04/1988
Bank für Tirol und Vorarlberg AG
Cleen Energy
6020 Innsbruck, Stadtforum 1, T +43 505 333-0, Tel.: 43 (0) 505 333 – 0, www.btv.at
7062 St. Margarethen, Eselmühle 1, Tel.: 43 (0) 2680 / 20 600-400, www.cleen-energy.com
The Bank for Tyrol and Vorarlberg (BTV) sees itself as a financial service provider for private individuals and medium-sized businesses, and describes itself as refreshingly conservative, regionally rooted and internationally connected. The shareholder structure is as follows: BKS Bank AG 14,67%, Oberbank AG 14,27%, Generali 3 Banken Holding AG 16,01%, Wüstenrot Wohnungswirtschaft reg. Gen.m.b.H 2,70% – these four have entered a syndication. CABO Beteiligungsgesellschaft mbH (a 100% corporate subsidiary of UniCredit Bank Austria) 40,51%, UniCredit Bank Austria 6,34%, free float 4,94% and BTV Privatstiftung 0,56%.
Cleen Energy is considered the leading start-up in the field of sustainable energy efficiency and is operating in energy-efficient lighting solutions and lighting systems for commerce and industry, one of the current growth markets. In addition, Cleen Energy is also expanding in the field of lighting systems leasing, which is having a higher and higher share in turnover. 51.67% of shares are held by Cleen Energy founder Erwin Stickler, 25.71% by Lukas Scherzenlehner and 7.32% by Alfred Luger. 15.88% are in free float. Cleen Energy is one of the youngest members of the Vienna Stock Exchange, having gone public in April 2017.
CEO: Gerhard Burtscher Management Board: Mario Pabst, Michael Perger Supervisory Board: Hermann Bell, Franz Gasselsberger, Herta Stockbauer, Pascal Broschek, Johannes Collini, Angela Falkner, Gregor Hofstätter-Pobst et al.
Management Board: Lukas Scherzenleher Supervisory Board: Friedrich Habliczek, Michael Eisler, Heinz Herczeg
Bank für Tirol und Vorarlberg AG Business Year: 1/1–31/12 ISIN: AT0000625504 Segment: Standard Market Auction Type of share: Common Number of shares: 31,531,250 Volatility (3 months): 26.7927 Last dividend: 0,30 euros per share Ex-dividend date: 22/05/2019 Market capitalisation: 845 mln euros First day of trading issuer: 01/07/1986
CLEEN Energy AG Business Year: 1/1–31/12 ISIN: AT0000A1PY49 Segment: Standard Market Auction Type of share: Common Number of shares: 3,570,000 Volatility (3 months): 171.893 Last dividend: – Ex-dividend date: – Market capitalisation: 8.2 mln euros First day of trading issuer: 20/04/2017
World Champion Austria
The top stocks on the Vienna Stock Exchange in 2019
Do&Co
EVN
1010 Vienna, Stephansplatz 12, Tel.: 43 (0) 1 740 00-0, www.doco.com
2344 Maria Enzersdorf, EVN-Platz, Tel.: 43 (0) 2236 200-0, www.evn.at
Since its establishment in 1981, Do & Co has turned into an internationally operating restaurant and catering corporation, cooking in 31 Do &Co gourmet kitchens in eleven countries across three continents for private parties, major sports events and partner airlines. Do & Co runs the business divisions Airline Catering, International Event Catering and Restaurants, Lounges & Hotels. In 2018, its shares at the Vienna Stock Exchange came under pressure in summer 2018 due to the monetary crisis in Turkey. While Turkey is still in an economic crisis, the Do & Co stock has recovered. A 15-year deal with Turkish Airline, signed in May 2019, received a positive response from investors.
EVN is a listed energy and environmental services provider located in Lower Austria, offering electricity, gas, heating, water and wastewater as well as thermal waste utilisation. Operating a cable TV and telecommunications network in addition to other energy services is also part of the portfolio. The company operates in Austria, Germany, Bulgaria, Macedonia and Croatia. EVN’s stock is also on the US capital market as part of a Sponsored Level 1 ADR Programme (ADR = American Depositary Receipt).
CEO: Attila Dogudan Management Board: Gottfried Neumeister Supervisory Board: Andreas Bierwirth, Peter Hoffmann-Ostenhof, Cem M. Kozlu et al.
CEO: Mag. Stefan Szyszkowitz Management Board: Franz Mittermayer Supervisory Board: Bettina Glatz-Kremsner, Norbert Griesmayr, Willi Stiowicek, Philipp Gruber, Dieter Lutz, Reinhard Meißl, Susanne Scharnhorst et al.
Do & Co Aktiengesellschaft Business Year: 1/4–31/3 ISIN: AT0000818802 Segment: ATX, ATX GP Type of share: Common Number of shares: 9,744,000 Volatility (3 months): 34.731 Last dividend: 0.85 euros per share Ex-dividend date: 16/07/2018 Market capitalisation: 737.6 mln euros First day of trading issuer: 30/06/1998
EVN AG Business Year: 1/10–30/9 ISIN: AT0000741053 Segment: Prime Market, VÖNIX Type of share: Common Number of shares: 179,878,402 Volatility (3 months): 13.7094 Last dividend: 0.44 euros per share Ex-dividend date: 23/01/2019 Market capitalisation: 2,327.6 mln euros First day fo trading issuer: 27/11/1989
Erste Group
FACC
1100 Vienna, Am Belvedere 1, Tel.: 43 (0) 50 100-10 100, www.erstegroup.com
4910 Ried im Innkreis, Fischerstraße 9, Tel.: 43 (0) 59 616-0, www.facc.com
Founded in 1819 as “Erste Oesterreichische Spar-Casse”, Erste Bank went public in 1997 in order to finance the expansion of its retail business in Central and Eastern Europe. Measured by the number of customers (16,5 mln in Q1/2019) and the balance sheet total (243,7 bln euros in Q1/2019), Erste Group has turned into one of the largest financial service providers in the Eastern EU thanks to numerous acquisitions and organic growth. Major shareholders of Erste Group are the trust Erste Stiftung (11.38%) and CaixaBank (9.92%). 69.71 percent of shares are in free float.
FACC is a globally leading company designing, developing and producing advanced fibre composite compounds and systems for the aviation industry. Every second an aerial vehicle with FACC technology is taking off around the world – either in the aeroplane itself or in its engines. The Aviation Industry Corporation of China (AVIC) retains 55.5 percent of shares through the AVIC Cabin Systems Co. Ltd, 44.5% are in free float. In the business year 2018/19, FACC recorded an annual turnover of 782 million euros with its 3.500 staff across 13 international locations
CEO: Andreas Treichl Management Board: Peter Bosek, Petr Brávek, Willibald Cernko, Gernot Mittendorfer, Jozef Síkela Supervisory Board: Friedrich Rödler, Jan Homan, Maximilian Hardegg, Matthias Bulach, Gunter Griss, Jordi Gual, Marion Khüny, Elisabeth Krainer Senger-Weiss, Brian D. O’Neill et al.
Erste Group Bank AG Business Year: 1/1–31/12 ISIN: AT0000652011 Segment: ATX, ATX FIVE, ATX TD, VÖNIX Type of share: Common Number of shares: 429,800,000 Volatility (3 months): 25.3353 Last dividend: 1.40 euros per share Ex-dividend date: 20/05/2019 Market capitalisation: 13,646.2 mln euros First day of trading issuer: 04/12/1997
CEO: Robert Machtlinger Management Board: Andreas Ockel (COO), Aleš Stárek (CFO), Yongsheng Wang (CCO) Supervisory Board: Ruguang Geng, Zhen Pang, Weixi Gong, Qinghang Liu, Jing Guo, JiaJia Dai, Junqi Sheng, George Maffeo, Barbara Huber, Karin Klee, Peter Krohe, Ulrike Reiter
FACC AG Business Year: 1/3–28/2 ISIN: AT00000FACC2 Segment: ATX, ATX GP Type of share: Common Number of shares: 45,790,000 Volatility (3 months): 34.2486 Last dividende: 0.11 euros per share Ex-dividend date: 05/07/2018 Market capitalisation: 580.6 mln euros First day of trading issuer: 25/06/2014
119_119
Flughafen Wien (Vienna Airport)
Gurktaler
1300 Vienna Airport, P.O. Box 1, Tel.: 43 (0) 1 7007-0, www.viennaairport.com
1190 Vienna, Heiligenstädter Straße 43, Tel.: 43 (0) 1 367 08 49-0, www.gruppe.gurktaler.at
Flughafen Wien AG is one of the few listed airports in Europe, offering a large range of services including airport operation, ground services and security services. In 2018, the number of passengers handled in Vienna rose by 10.8%, breaking the 27-million barrier for the first time in history (27,037,292). The Province of Lower Austria and the City of Vienna each hold 20% of stocks, 10% belong to the employee’s private holding fund, 39.8% belong to the Australian fund IFM Global Infrastructure Fund through its subsidiary Airports Group Europe S.à.r.l. and 10.2% are in free float.
This company is a split of the entire herbal spirits division from Schlumberger AG. Basically, there are two business divisions: Leasing of the operative business of the herbal spirits companies Gurktaler Alpenkräuter, Rossbacher, Leibwächter Kräuter (the Leibwächter brand is planning to sell Gurktaler) and the financial holdings in herbal spirits companies Peter Zwack & Consorten Handels-AG (and Zwack Unicum Nyrt., Hungary, respectively) and the Underberg GmbH & Co KG in Germany. 75 percent of the common shares are held by H. Underberg-Albrecht GmbH & Co. Verwaltungs- und Vertriebs KG, about 9.7 percent by Schlumberger AG. The remaining common shares with a voting interest of 15.2 percent are in free float.
CEO: Julian Jäger Management Board: Günther Ofner Supervisory Board: Bettina Glatz-Kremsner, Ewald Kirschner, Karin Rest, Werner Kerschl, Lars Bespolka, Wolfgang Ruttenstorfer, Robert Lasshofer, Gerhard Starsich et al.
CEO: Karin Trimmel Supervisory Board: Hubertine Underberg-Ruder, Eduard Kranebitter, Tobias Bürgers
Flughafen Wien AG Business Year: 1/1–31/12 ISIN: AT00000VIE62 Segment: Prime Market Type of share: Common Number of shares: 84,000,000 Volatility (3 months): 17.8821 Last dividende: 0.89 euros per share Ex-dividend date: 07/05/2019 Market capitalisation: 3,116.4 mln euros First day of trading issuer: 15/06/1992
Gurktaler AG Business Year: 1/4–31/3 ISIN: AT0000A0Z9G3 Segment: Standard Market Auction Type of share: Common Number of shares: 1,500,000 Volatility (3 monts): 79.4526 Last dividend: 0.08 euros per share Ex-dividend date: 13/09/2018 Market capitalisation: 13.6 mln euros First day of trading issuer: 08/02/2013
Frequentis
Immofinanz
1100 Vienna, Innovationsstraße 1, Tel.: 43 (0) 1 81150-0, www.frequentis.com
1100 Vienna, Wienerbergstraße 11, Tel.: 43 (0) 1 88 090, www.immofinanz.com
Frequentis offers solutions that make the world safer: As an international provider of communication and information systems for safety-critical control centres, the Frequentis Group develops and markets custom-tailored control centre solutions for air traffic management (civil and military air traffic control) and public safety & transport (for the police, fire brigades, emergency rescue services, shipping and railways). The core shareholder at Frequentis AG is the Bardach family with about 67 percent of shares. About 10 percent are held by B&C Innovation Investment GmbH. The remaining stock is in free float.
The core business of Immofinanz includes the management and development of retail and office real estate in selected countries in Central and Eastern Europe. For office spaces, the focus is on the core countries’ capitals and the largest office locations in Germany. About 61.7 percent of the portfolio’s value come down to offices; the retail portfolio amounts to 35.3 percent. Immofinanz’ portfolio has a book value of 4.3 billion euros as of 31 December 2018 and encompasses 226 real estates. Immofinanz is listed on the stock exchanges in Vienna (ATX index) and Warsaw.
CEO: Norbert Haslacher Management Board: Sylvia Bardach (CFO), Hermann Mattanovich (CTO) Supervisory Board: Hannes Bardach, Karl Michael Millauer, Boris Nemsic, Reinhold Daxecker, Gabriele Schedl, Siegfried Meisel
Frequentis AG Business Year: 1/1–31/12 ISIN: ATFREQUENT09 Segment: Prime Market, ATX GP Type of share: Common Number of shares: 13,199,999 Volatility (3 months): 12.4129 Last dividend: – Ex-dividend date: – Market capitalisation: 235 mln euros First day of trading issuer: 14/05/2019 (2nd IPO 2019)
CEO: Oliver Schumy Management Board: Stefan Schönauer Bakk. (CFO), Dietmar Reindl (COO) Supervisory Board: Michael Knap, Rudolf Fries, Christian Böhm, Nick J.M. van Ommen, Philipp Amadeus Obermair, Larissa Lielacher, Maria Onitcanscaia
Immofinanz AG Business Year: 1/1–31/12 ISIN: AT0000A21KS2 Segment: ATX, IATX, ATX TD Type of share: Common Number of shares: 112,085,269 Volatility (3 months): 16.6442 Last dividend: 0.85 euros per share Ex-dividend date: 24/05/2019 Market capitalisation: 2,546.6 mln euros First day of trading issuer: 25/06/2018
World Champion Austria
The top stocks on the Vienna Stock Exchange in 2019
Josef Manner & Comp.
Lenzing
1170 Vienna, Wilhelminenstraße 6, Tel.: 43 (0) 1 488 22-0, www.josef.manner.com
4860 Lenzing, Werkstraße 2, Tel.: 43 (0) 7672 701-0, www.lenzing.com
Josef Manner & Comp. AG is a today almost rare example of a successful Austrian company that is largely family-owned since its founding. The popular and traditional originals such as Manner Schnitten, Schoko-Bananen, Casali Rum-Kokos, Ildefonso and Dragee Keksi are exported to more than 50 countries in Europe and beyond. The Manner Syndicate, consisting of the Manner/RiedlSyndicate and the Andres Group) hold 88.41% of common share. The further, non-syndicate stock capital of 11.59% is held by Österreichische Zuckerwaren GmbH and a number of small shareholders.
The Lenzing Group, world market leader in special fibres from the renewable resource wood, is a partner of the global textiles and fleece product industry with its innovative products and technology solutions, and a driver of numerous new developments. It’s latest coup: Lenzing uses blockchain technology in order to ensure full transparency and traceability of its fibres from the timber to the finished clothing. 50 percent of shares are held by the B & C Privatstiftung; Oberbank AG holds 3.8 percent. 46.2 percent of shares are in free float.
Management Board: Albin Hahn, Hans Peter Andres, Afred Schrott, Thomas Gratzer Supervisory Board: Ernst Burger, Markus Spiegelfeld, Wolfgang Hötschl, Florian Jonak, Robert Ottel, Martina Andres, Sita Monica Mazumder et al.
CEO: Stefan Doboczky Management Board: Robert van de Kerkhof, Thomas Obendrauf, Heiko Arnold Supervisory Board: Peter Edelmann, Veit Sorger, Helmut Bernkopf, Christian Bruch, Stefan Fida, Felix Fremerey, Franz Gasselsberger, Patrick Prügger et al.
Josef Manner & Comp. AG Business Year: 1/1–31/12 ISIN: AT0000728209 Segment: Standard Market Auction Type of share: Common Number of shares: 1,890,000 Volatility (3 months): 59.6148 Last dividend: 0.80 euros per share Ex-dividend date: 03/06/2019 Market capitalisation: 153.1 mln euros First day of trading issuer: 14/05/1919
Lenzing AG Business Year: 1/1–31/12 ISIN: AT0000644505 Segment: ATX, ATX GP, ATX TD, VÖNIX Type of share: Common Number of shares: 26,550,000 Volatility (3 months): 31.0215 Last dividend: 3.00 euros per share Ex-dividend date: 23/04/2019 Market capitalisation: 2,542.2 mln euros First day of trading issuer: 19/09/1985
Kapsch TrafficCom
Linz Textil Holding AG
1120 Vienna, Am Europlatz 2, Tel.: 43 (0) 50 811-0, www.kapschtraffic.com www.kapsch.net
4030 Linz, Wiener Straße 435, Tel.: 43 (0) 732 3996-0, www.linz-textil.at
Kapsch TafficCom’s is a provider of intelligent traffic systems in the fields of toll collection, traffic management, smart urban mobility, traffic safety and connected driving. Kapsch TrafficCom covers the entire value-added chain of its clients with its holistic solutions, ranging from components to design, installation and operation of systems. The about 5,000 strong staff generated a turnover of 738 million euros in the business year 2018/19 (unchecked results as of 17/5/2019). 63.3 percent of shares are owned by Kapsch Group Beteiligungs GmbH, 36.7 percent are in free float.
Founded in 1838, the company has been listed on the Vienna Stock Exchange since 1872. In 1978 the “Kleinmuenchner Baumwoll-Spinnerei und mechanische Weberei” was renamed Linz Textil AG. Subsequently, Linz Textil AG was re-named “Linz Textil Holding AG”, in order to undertake holding functions. While the holding company focuses on management, organisation and financing activities, the operative company is primarily involved in the production of yarns, especially viscose, cotton and blended yarns, and a broad range of grey cloth for outerwear and technical applications. One of Europe’s leading terry towelling producers, Vossen AG, is part of Linz Textil; Linz Textil is working closely with Lenzing AG.
CEO: Mag. Georg Kapsch Management Board: André F. Laux (COO), Alfredo Escribá (CTO) Supervisory Board: Franz Semmernegg, Kari Kapsch, Sabine Kauper, Harald Sommerer, Christian Windisch, Claudia Rudolf-Misch
CEO: Friedrich Schopf Supervisory Board: Friedrich Weninger, Barbara Lehner, Johanna Katharina Jetschgo
Kapsch TrafficCom AG Business Year: 1/4–31/3 ISIN: AT000KAPSCH9 Segment: Prime Market, ATX GP, ATX TD, VÖNIX Type of share: Common Number of shares: 13,000,000 Volatility (3 months): 24.2830 Last dividend: 1.50 euros per share Ex-dividend date: 10/09/2018 Market capitalisation: 439.4 mln euros First day of trading issuer: 26/06/2007
Linz Textil Holding AG Business Year: 1/1–31/12 ISIN: AT0000723606 Segment: Standard Market Auction Type of share: Common Number of shares: 300,000 Volatility (3 months): 74.3793 Last dividend: 4.00 euros per share Ex-dividend date: 13/05/2019 Market capitalisation: 90 mln euros First day of trading issuer: 28/07/1890
121_121
Marinomed Biotech
Oberbank
1210 Vienna, Veterinärplatz 1, Tel.: 43 (0) 1 250 77-4460, www.marinomed.com
4020 Linz, Untere Donaulände 28, Tel.: 43 (0) 732 7802–0 www.oberbank.at
Marinomed Biotech AG is a biopharmaceutical company that focuses on the development of innovative products based on patent-protected technology platforms in the field of respiratory and ophthalmological diseases. So far, Marinomed developed two platforms: The Marinosolv technology platform and the already marketed Carragelose platform. The founders and management team own around 27% of Marinomed, while the remaining shares are held by strategic investors or holding companies. After its successful IPO, trading of the Marinomed stock began on 1 February 2019 at the Vienna Stock Exchange.
Oberbank celebrates its 150th anniversary in 2019. It started out as a small regional bank in Upper Austria and Salzburg and turned into an international bank with subsidiaries in all of Austria, Germany, the Czech Republic, Hungary and Slovakia. The shareholder structure is as follows: BTV AG 16,98%, BKS Bank AG 15,21%, Wüstenrot Wohnungswirtschaft reg. Gen.m.b.H 4,9% – these three have entered a syndicate. Generali 3 Banken Holding AG 1,77%, CABO Beteiligungsgesellschaft mbH (a 100% corporate subsidiary of UniCredit Bank Austria) 25,97%, Oberbank staff 3,94% and 31,23% in free float
CEO: Anreas Grassauer Management Board: Pascal Schmidt (CFO), Eva Prieschl-Grassauer (Chief Scientific Officer, CSO) Supervisory Board: Simon Nebel, Ute Lassnig, Brigitte Ederer, Gernot Hofer, Karl Lankmayr
Management Board: Franz Gasselsberger; Josef Weißl, Florian Hagenauer Supervisory Board: Herta Stockbauer, Ludwig Andorfer, Gerhard Burtscher, Stephan Koren, Barbara Leitl-Staudinger, Peter Mitterbauer, Barbara Steger et al.
Marinomed Biotech AG Business Year: 1/1–31/12 ISIN: ATMARINOMED6 Segment: Prime Market, ATX GP Type of share: Common Number of shares: 1,469,772 Volatility (3 months): 24.2752 Last dividend: – Ex-dividend date: – Market capitalisation: 117.6 mln euros First day of trading issuer: 04/12/2018
Oberbank AG Business Year: 1/1–31/12 ISIN: AT0000625108 Segment: Standard Market Auction Type of share: Common Number of shares: 32,307,300 Volatility (3 months): 0.9207 Last dividend: 1.10 euros per share Ex-dividend date: 20/05/2019 Market capitalisation: 3,075.7 mln euros First day of trading issuer: 01/07/1986
Mayr-Melnhof
Österreichische Post (Austrian Post)
1041 Vienna, Brahmsplatz 6, Tel.: 43 (0) 1 501 36-0, www.mayr-melnhof.com
1030 Vienna, Rochusplatz1 1, Tel.: 43 (0) 577 67-0, www.post.at
The Mayr-Melnhof Group is considered the European market leader in the production and processing of cardboard. MM Karton is the world’s largest producer of coated recycled fiber-based cardboard, MM Packaging is the leading producers of folding cartons in Europe and one of the largest producers worldwide. In 2018, the MM Group employed 9,445 people and recorded a turnover of 2,337.7 mln euros. The Mayr-Melnhof families are the largest shareholders, owning 57 percent through a syndicate. 43% are in free float. There is also a Sponsored Level 1 ADR Programme (ADR = American Depositary Receipt) with the Bank of New York Mellon.
Austrian Post is the leading logistics and postal services provider in Austria with more than 2 billion euros in turnover and about 20,500 staff. Its main business activities include the transport and delivery of letters, advertising mail, print media and parcels. The branch network with more than 1,800 own and third party run offices ranks among the largest private customer networks in the country. Since 2013, Österreichische Post is listed on the US capital market via the Level 1 American Depositary Receipt (ADR) Program.
CEO: Wilhelm Hörmanseder Management Board: Franz Hiesinger (CFO), Andreas Blaschke, Franz Rappold (until end of June) Supervisory Board: Rainer Zellner, Johannes Goess-Saurau, Nikolaus Ankershofen, Romuald Bertl, Guido Held, Georg Mayr-Melnhof, Andreas Hemmer, et al.
Mayr-Melnhof Karton AG Business Year: 1/1–31/12 ISIN: AT0000938204 Segment: Prime Market Type of share: Common Number of shares: 20,000,000 Volatility (3 months): 18.7818 Last dividend: 3.20 euros per share Ex-dividend date: 30/04/2019 Market capitalisation: 2,240 mln euros First day of trading issuer: 22/04/1994
CEO: Georg Pölzl Management Board: Walter Oblin (CFO), Peter Umundum Supervisory Board: Edith Hlawati, Edeltraud Stiftinger, Jochen Danninger, Huberta Gheneff, Peter Kruse, Chris E. Muntwyler, Herta Stockbauer et al.
Oesterreichische Post AG Business Year: 1/1–31/12 ISIN: AT0000APOST4 Segment: ATX, ATX TD, VÖNIX Type of share: Common Number of shares: 67,552,638 Volatility (3 months): 26.8745 Last dividend: 2.08 euros per share Ex-dividend date: 23/04/2019 Market capitalisation: 2,043.5 mln euros First day of trading issuer: 31/05/2006
World Champion Austria
_122
The top stocks on the Vienna Stock Exchange in 2019
Österreichische Staatsdruckerei (OeSD)
Ottakringer
1230 Vienna, Tenschertstraße 7, Tel.: 43 (0) 1 206 66-0, www.staatsdruckerei.at
1160 Vienna, Ottakringer Straße 91, Tel.: 43 (0) 1 49100-0, www.ottakringer.at
Österreichische Staatsdruckerei (OeSD), formerly the national printing office, has more than 200 years of experience in the fields of identity management and security printing, being certified as a “High Security Printer”. The Österreichische Staatsdruckerei Holding AG and its companies (OeSD Group) provide holistic identity management solutions: Development and production e.g. of chipped passports with biometric security features, plastic driving licenses, gun owner’s documents or IDs for pyrotechnician The OeSD Group supplies and serves clients in more than 60 countries across five continents.
Ottakringer Getränke AG is Austria’s only listed beverage company. It includes the Ottakringer Brauerei GmbH in the business field of breweries, Vöslauer Mineralwasser GmbH in the business field of mineral water and Trinkservice GmbH in the business field trade & services with 100 percent ownership each. It also holds 61.8 percent in Del Fabro & Kolarik GmbH. Ottakringer Getränke AG has a 6 percent free float, 88 percent are owned by Ottakringer Holding AG, which in turn is owned by the Austrian families Wenckheim, Menz, Trauttenberg and Pfusterschmid. The remaining 6 percent are held by Ottakringer Getränke AG itself.
CEO: Robert Schächter Management Board: Lukas Praml, Helmut Lackner Supervisory Board: Johannes Strohmayer, Wilfried Stadler, Peter Hoffmann-Ostenhof, Martin Smit, Thomas Sperlich
Management Board: Alfred Hudler, Doris Krejcarek Supervisory Board: Christiane Wenckheim, Sigi Menz, Johann Marihart, Thomas Polányi, Herbert Werner
Oesterreichische Staatsdruckerei Holding AG Business Year: 1/4–30/3 ISIN: AT00000OESD0 Segment: Standard Market Auction Type of share: Common Number of shares: 7,500,000 Volatility (3 months): 60.5859 Last dividend: 0.52 euros per share Ex-dividend date: 26/07/2018 Market capitalisation: 135 mln euros First day of trading issuer: 11/11/2011
Ottakringer Getränke AG Business year: 1/1–31/12 ISIN: AT0000758008 Segment: Standard Market Auction Type of share: Common Number of shares: 2,412,829 Volatility (3 months): 145.6127 Last dividend: 4.00 euros per share Ex-dividend date: 04/07/2018 Market capitalisation: 325.7 mln euros First day of trading issuer: 10/11/1986
OMV
Palfinger
1020 Vienna, Trabrennstraße 6–8, Tel.: 43 (0) 1 404 40-0, www.omv.at
5101 Bergheim, Lamprechtshausener Bundesstraße 8, Tel.: 43 (0) 662 2281-0, www.palfinger.com
OMV is produces and sells oil and gas, energy solutions and premium petrochemical products in the upstream (exploration & production) and downstream businesses (refining & marketing including petrochemicals; gas & power). With a group turnover of 23 billion euros and more than 20,000 staff in 2018, OMV is one of the largest industrial companies listed on the Austrian Stock Exchange. ÖBAG (formerly ÖBIB) and Mubadala Petroleum and Petrochemicals Holding Company L.L.C, Abu Dhabi, hold 31,5% and 24,9% of shares respectively through a syndicate. Staff hold 0.4%, own shares 0.2% and 43% is in free float.
Palfinger stands for the most innovative, reliable and cost-effective lifting solutions for use on commercial vehicles and in the maritime field. The company is world market leader with its core product, the Loader Crane. In Timber and Recycling Cranes on- and off-road as well as Hooklifts, Palfinger is also the world’s biggest manufacturer. The Palfinger Group is 58 per cent owned by the Palfinger family and Sany Germany GmbH owns 7.5 per cent of the shares. Free float is about 34.5 per cent. In 2018, the multinational group generated a total turnover of 1,616 mln euros with 11,00 staff.
CEO: Rainer Seele Management Board: Johann Pleininger, Manfred Leitner, Reinhard Florey (CFO) Supervisory Board: Wolfgang C. Berndt, Thomas Schmid, Alyazia Ali Al Kuwaiti, Mansour Mohamed Al Mulla, Stefan Doboczky, Karl Rose, Elisabeth Stadler, Christoph Swarovski et al.
CEO: Andreas Klauser Management Board: Felix Strohbichler (CFO), Martin Zehnder (COO) Supervisory Board: Hubert Palfinger jun., Gerhard Rauch, Hannes Palfinger, Heinrich Kiener, Hannes Bogner, Ellyn Shenglin Cai, Johannes Kücher, Alois Weiss, Erwin Asen
OMV AG Business Year: 1/1–31/12 ISIN: AT0000743059 Segment: ATX, ATX FIVE Type of share: Common Number of shares: 327,272,727 Volatility (3 months): 22.4660 Last dividend: 1.75 euros per share Ex-dividend date: 21/05/2019 Market capitalisation: 13,987.6 mln euros Frist day of trading issuer: 03/12/1987
Palfinger AG Business Year: 1/1–31/12 ISIN: AT0000758305 Segment: Prime Market, ATX GP, VÖNIX Type of share: Common Number of share: 37,593,258 Volatility (3 months): 31.5664 Last dividend: 0.51 euros per share Ex-dividend date: 22/03/2019 Market capitalisation: 1,018.8 mln euros First day of trading issuer: 04/06/1999
Jahrbuch für unternehmerische Verantwortung 10 JAHRE
CSR Guide JAHRBUCH FÜR UNTERNEHMERISCHE VERANT WORTUNG
2019
DAS ÖSTERREICHISCHE CSR STANDARDWERK • umfassender Überblick über alle CSR-Aktivitäten und Case Studies in Österreich auf 224 Seiten • journalistisch aufbereitet nach den wichtigsten Themen • umfassender erweiterter Serviceteil als Nachschlagewerk
Buchpreis € 27,50 SCHWERPUNKT
Das jährliche Nachschlagewerk für alle an Nachhaltigkeit und CSR Interessierten
SDG
428
17 Nachhaltigkeitsziele
CSR-aktive Unternehmen
Aktuelle Themen, Case-Studies, Service, herausragende Unternehmen
CSR Guide-Erhebung zu den Aktivitäten österreichischer Unternehmen
Auflistung von 142 Großunternehmen und 286 Klein- und Mittelbetrieben
Projektleitung: Mag. Erich Danneberg, MAS Tel: 01 / 919 20 2224 | e.danneberg@medianet.at
zzgl. Versandspesen
Weitere Informationen & Bestellung unter
www.csr-guide.at
World Champion Austria
The top stocks on the Vienna Stock Exchange in 2019
Polytec
Raiffeisen Bank International
4063 Hörsching, Polytec-Straße 1, Tel.: 43 (0) 7221 701-0, www.polytec-group.com
1030 Vienna, Am Stadtpark 9, Tel.: 43 (0) 1 717 07-0, www.rbinternational.com
The Polytec Group is a leading developer and producer of high-quality plastics parts with 28 locations and over 4,500 employees worldwide. The Austrian company is a full-service provider in the field of injection moulding, a specialist in fibre-reinforced plastics as well as a manufacturer of original accessory parts made of plastic and stainless steel. In business year 2018, the Polytec Group recorded a turnover of 636.4 million euros. 64.29 percent of shares are in free float, 29.04 percent belong to the Huemer Group, 5,17 percent to NN Group N.V. and 1.5 percent are own shares.
Raiffeisen Bank International considers Austria and Central and Eastern Europe its home market. In Austria, it is a leading commercial and investment bank for the country’s top 1,000 commercial customers. 16.3 million customers are served through more than 2,100 business outlets in the corporate and private customer segments as well as in investment banking. With a balance sheet total of 146 billion euros (as of 31 March 2019), RBI is Austria’s second largest bank. 58.8% of the shares are held by Raiffeisenlandesbanken and 41.2% are in free float.
CEO: Markus Huemer Management Board: Peter Haidenek (CFO), Heiko Gabbert (COO), Peter Bernscher (CSO) Supervisory Board: Fred Duswald, Manfred Helmut Trauth, Viktoria Kickinger, Robert Büchelhofer, Reinhard Schwendtbauer
CEO: Dr. Johann Strobl Management Board: Martin Grüll (CFO), Andreas Gschwenter (COO/CIO), Peter Lennkh, Lukasz Januszewski, Hannes Mösenbacher (CRO), Andrii Stepanenko Supervisory Board: Erwin Hameseder, Martin Schaller, Heinrich Schaller, Klaus Buchleitner, Eva Eberhartinger, Andrea Gaal, Peter Gauper et al.
Polytec Holding AG Business Year: 1/1–31/12 ISIN: AT0000A00XX9 Segment: Prime Market, ATX TD Type of share: Common Number of shares: 22,329,585 Volatility (3 months): 28.4943 Last dividend: 0.40 euros per share Ex-dividend date: 15/05/2019 Market capitalisation: 197.6 mln euros First day of trading issuer: 28/04/2006
Raiffeisen Bank International AG Business Year: 1/1–31/12 ISIN: AT0000606306 Segment: ATX, ATX FIVE, VÖNIX Type of share: Common Number of shares: 328,939,621 Volatility (3 months): 38.0815 Last dividend: 0.62 euros per share Ex-dividend date: 28/06/2018 Market capitalisation: 6,805.8 mln euros First day of trading issuer: 25/04/2005
Porr
Rath
1100 Vienna, Absberggasse 47, Tel.: 43 (0) 50 626-0, www.porr-group.com
1015 Vienna, Walfischgasse 14, Tel.: 43 (0) 1 513 44 27-0, www.rath-group.com
Porr is one of Austria’s largest building companies and celebrates its 150-year anniversary in 2019. The company sees itself as a flexible full-service provider offering all types of construction such as structural and underground construction, energy-related construction, road construction and tunnelling. Outside the company’s domestic markets Austria, Germany, Switzerland, Poland and the Czech Republic it is also active in CEE/SEE as well as Norway, Great Britain and Qatar. Core shareholder is the syndicate Otner-Strauss with 53.7 percent. 46.3% is in free float.
Founded by August Rath, Junior, in 1891, this family business has developed into an international company renowned for refractory technology and heat-resistant materials for more than 125 years. Rath develops, produces and sells refractory products, including refractory bricks, hot gas filter components and continuous ceramic fibres. The company’s specialty is refractory materials for temperatures up to 1800°C, and temperatures up to 1000°C for hot gas filtration. Rath does its research and development in its in-house laboratories and produces everything itself, from basic materials to components. 66.7 percent of shares are held by the Rath Holding Gmbh, 18.8 belong to the Rath family members and 14.5 percent are in free float.
CEO: Ing. Karl-Heinz Strauss Management Board: Andreas Sauer (CFO), Hans Wenkenbach (COO), Thomas B. Stiegler (COO) Supervisory Board: Karl Pistotnik, Klaus Ortner, Robert Grüneis, Walter Knirsch, Iris Ortner, Bernhard Vanas. Susanne Weiss, Thomas Winischhofer et al.
Porr AG Business Year: 1/1–31/12 ISIN: AT0000609607 Segment: Prime Market, ATX TD Type of share: Common Number of shares: 29,095,000 Volatility (3 months): 35.6989 Last dividend: 1.10 euros per share Ex-dividend date: 05/06/2018 Market capitalisation: 590.6 mln euros First day of trading issuer: 08/04/1869
Management Board: Andreas Pfneiszl (CFO, CSO), Jörg Sitzenfrey (COO, CTO) Supervisory Board: Stefan Ehrlich-Adam, Philipp Rath, Mag. Dieter Hermann, Andreas Meier, Ulla Reisch
Rath AG Business Year: 1/1–31/12 ISIN: AT0000767306 Segment: Standard Market Auction Type of share: Common Number of shares: 1,500,000 Volatility (3 months): 104.6091 Last dividend: 1.00 euros per share Ex-dividend date: 03/06/2019 Market capitalisation: 40.5 mln euros First day of trading issuer: 20/12/1989
World Champion Austria
124_125
Companies introduce themselves
Wienerberger: Building the future
Record year 2018 In 2018, Wienerberger recorded a new all-time high in turnover with 3.3 billion euros. The adjusted EBITDA went up by 15 percent and reached 470 million euros. Thanks to the systematic implementation of its growth strategy, Wienerberger is set to increase its adjusted EBITDA once more to 570-580 million euros in 2019.
“We are in an excellent position thanks to the systematic implementation of our growth strategy and create sustainable value for our shareholders.” Heimo Scheuch, CEO of Wienerberger AG
Creating sustainable housing For 200 years, Wienerberger has not only shaped cities and entire stretches of land – we create sustainable housing. In times of climate change, cities overheating and heavy rainfalls, Wienerberger offers solutions to today’s challenges with innovative products. Being a systems provider, we cover all needs for the building envelope and even innovative solutions for waste water management.
Wienerberger at a glance
17,000 staff
Record turnover of 3.3 billion €
EBITDA of 470 million €
6 product groups of building materials
Foto: Kurt Keinrath
This success story began 200 years ago in the shape of a small producer of bricks on the outskirts of Vienna. Today, Wienerberger operates in 30 countries and employs 17,000 people at 200 sites. Being a leading supplier of modern and resource-friendly system solutions, Wienerberger is shaping the future of building, renovation and infrastructure.
Accelerated growth The development of innovative products is embedded in the group-wide optimisation programme “Fast Forward”, which identifies room for improvement and implements digital solutions. We hope to record an increase of EBITA of 120 million euros by 2020 with these ideas. This strategy is complemented by the acquisition of high-margin growth-oriented businesses. Overall, Wienerberger is set to record the best results in its history, driving the digital transformation in the construction sector – always with an eye on people and their need for sustainable und affordable living. CEO Heimo Scheuch consid200 production sites ers two factors in particular to in 30 countries be behind the success of the 200-year-old company: “Firstly, the entrepreneurial spirit which helps us to always see change as an opportunity to emerge even stronger. And secondly, 100% that our company is always publicly owned there for people – for its customers, its partners and its staff.”
World Champion Austria
The top stocks on the Vienna Stock Exchange in 2019
Rosenbauer
Schoeller-Bleckmann
4060 Leonding, Paschinger Straße 90, Tel.: 43 (0) 732 6794-0, www.rosenbauer.com
2630 Ternitz, Hauptstraße 2, Tel.: 43 (0) 26 30 315-0, www.sbo.at
Rosenbauer is the world’s leading manufacturer of systems for firefighting and disaster protection. The company develops and produces vehicles, fire extinguishing systems, equipment and telematics solutions for professional, industrial, plant and volunteer fire services, and systems for preventive firefighting. The listed family company is in its sixth generation and has served fire departments for more than 150 years. 51% of Rosenbauer shares are owned by the family through Rosenbauer Beteiligungsverwaltung GmbH. An institutional investor from France holds more than 5% of stock and 44% are in free float.
Schoeller-Bleckmann Oilfield Equipment (SBO) is the global market leader in high-precision components made of high-alloy steel and a leading supplier of key components for the oilfield service industry. The business focus is on non-magnetic drillstring components and high-tech downhole tools for drilling and completing directional and horizontal wells. Despite being positioned in clearly defined niches within the oilfield service industry, SBO is also pursuing new business fields: niches, that come up in the oil and gas industry, and markets that can be opened up with SBO core competences outside this industry (e.g. aerospace). Core shareholder is Berndorf Industrieholding AG with 33.4%, 66.6% of shares are in free float.
CEO: Dieter Siegel Management Board: Andreas Zeller (CSO), Daniel Tomaschko (CTO), Sebastian Wolf (CFO) Supervisory Board: Christian Reisinger, Rainer Siegel, Bernhard Matzner, Martin Paul Zehnder, Rudolf Aichinger, Alfred Greslehner
CEO: Gerald Grohmann, CFO: Klaus Mader Supervisory Board: Norbert Zimmermann, Brigitte Ederer, Helmut Langanger, Wolfram Littich, Karl Schleinzer, Sonja Zimmermann
Rosenbauer International AG Business Year: 1/1–31/12 ISIN: AT0000922554 Segment: Prime Market, ATX GP, VÖNIX Type of share: Common Number of shares: 6,800,000 Volatility (3 months): 23.1260 Last dividend: 1.25 euros per share Ex-dividend date: 27/05/2019 Market capitalisation: 272.7 mln euros First day of trading issuer: 27/09/1994
Schoeller-Bleckmann Oilfield Equipment AG Business Year: 1/1–31/12 ISIN: AT0000946652 Segment: ATX, ATX GP Type of share: Common Number of shares: 16,000,000 Volatility (3 months): 40.5183 Last dividend: 1.00 euros per share Ex-dividend date: 21/05/2019 Market capitalisation: 1,128 mln euros First day of trading issuer: 27/03/2003
S IMMO
Semperit
1010 Vienna, Friedrichstraße 10, 5. Stock, Tel.: 43 (0) 1 22795-1112, www.simmoag.at
1030 Vienna, Modecenterstraße 22/B1, Tel.: 43 (0) 1 79 777-0, www.semperitgroup.com
S IMMO AG is a real estate investment company with its head office in Vienna. It invests exclusively in the European Union with a focus on capital cities in Austria, Germany and CEE. Over 70% of the property portfolio consists of offices, shopping centres and hotels. The remainder comprises residential properties. As of 31 March 2019, S IMMO’s real estate portfolio consists of 309 objects, the tenancy rate amounts to 95.9%. Immofinanz holds 29.14% in S IMMO, VIG 9.15% through Wiener Städtische Versicherung and the remainder is in free float. Or, as of 31 December 2019: institutional investors hold about 72,2% of S IMMO stock, 27,8% belong to private investors.
The Semperit AG Holding company develops, produces, and sells highly specialised rubber products for the medical and industrial sectors. It has the following divisions: Hydraulic and industrial hoses (Semperflex), Conveyor belts (Sempertrans), Building and industrial moulded goods, profiles, handrails and special products (Semperform), Surgical and examination gloves (Sempermed). In the business year 2018, the group generated a turnover of 878.5 mln euros and an EBITDA of 50.3 million euros. The B & C Privatstiftung is the majority owner of Semperit with 54% of shares. 46% are in free float.
CEO: Ernst Vejdovszky Management Board: Friedrich Wachernig Supervisory Board: Martin Simhandl, Franz Kerber, Wilhelm Rasinger, Andrea Besenhofer, Hanna Bomba, Christian Hager, Manfred Rapf, Karin Rest
S IMMO AG Business Year: 1/1–31/12 ISIN: AT0000652250 Segment: ATX, IATX Type of share: Common Number of shares: 66,917,179 Volatility (3 months): 19.0844 Last dividend: 0.40 euros per share Ex-dividend date: 14/05/2018 Market capitalisation: 1,355.1 mln euros First day of trading issuer: 28/06/2002
CEO: Martin Füllenbach Management Board: Frank Gumbinger (CFO), Felix Fremerey Supervisory Board: Peter Edelmann, Stefan Fida, Klaus F. Erkes, Birgit Noggler, Walter Koppensteiner, Astrid Skala-Kuhmann, Petra Preining et al.
Semperit AG Holding Business Year: 1/1–31/12 ISIN: AT0000785555 Segment: Prime Market, ATX GP Type of share: Common Number of shares: 20,573,434 Volatility (3 months): 28.7438 Last dividend: 0.70 euros per share Ex-dividend date: 30/05/2017 Market capitalisation: 267.5 mln euros First day of trading issuer: 27/09/1890
127_127
Strabag
Telekom Austria
1220 Vienna, Donau-City-Straße 9, Tel.: 43 (0) 1 224 22-0, www.strabag.com
1020 Vienna, Lassallestraße 9, Tel.: 43 (0) 50 664-0, www.telekomaustria.com
Strabag is a European technology group for construction services – from design to planning, from construction to property and facility services, from operation all the way to demolition. Strabag covers the entire range of services (structural and civil engineering, traffic route engineering, special underground construction and tunnelling) as well as the construction value chain. In 2018, 75,460 staff generated a turnover of 16,322.88 mln euros and a record order backlog of 16,899.71 mln euros. The turnover for 2019 is expected to be at least 16 billion euros.
The A1 Telekom Austria Group is the leading provider of digital services and communication solutions in Central and Eastern Europe with about 24 million customers in seven countries: Austria and Slovenia (A1), Croatia (Vipnet), the Republic of Serbia (Vip mobile), the Republic of Macedonia (one.Vip), Bulgaria (A1 Bulgaria) and Belarus (velcom). The group employed more than 19,000 people in the business year 2018 and generated a turnover of more than 4.47 billion euros. America Movil, one of the world’s largest mobile telecommunications providers, holds 51% of Telekom Austria shares; 28.42% are held by the Republic of Austria through ÖBAG and 20.58% are in free float.
CEO: Dr. Thomas Birtel Management Board: Christian Harder (CFO), Alfred Watzl, Peter Krammer, Siegfried Wanker Supervisory Board: Alfred Gusenbauer, Erwin Hameseder, Andreas Brandstetter, Thomas Bull, Kerstin Gelbmann, Oleg Kotkov, Magdolna P. Gyulainé et al.
CEO: Thomas Arnoldner Management Board: Alejandro Plater (COO), Siegfried Mayrhofer (CFO) Supervisory Board: Edith Hlawati, Carlos García Moreno Elizondo, Alejandro Cantú Jiménez, Karin Exner-Wöhrer, Peter Hagen, Carlos M. Jarque, Peter F. Kollmann, Thomas Schmid u.a.
Strabag SE Business Year: 1/1–31/12 ISIN: AT000000STR1 Segment: Prime Market, ATX TD Type of share: Common Number of shares: 109,999,997 Volatility (3 months): 24.8682 Last dividend: 1.30 euros per share Ex-dividend date: 22/06/2018 Market capitalisation: 3,289 mln euros First day of trading issuer: 19/10/2007
Telekom Austria AG Business Year: 1/1–31/12 ISIN: AT0000720008 Segment: ATX, VÖNIX Type of share: Common Number of shares: 664,500,000 Volatility (3 months): 22.5486 Last dividend: 0.21 euros per share Ex-dividend date: 05/06/2019 Market capitalisation: 4,505.30 mln euros First day of trading issuer: 21/11/2000
SW Umwelttechnik
UBM Development
9020 Klagenfurt, Bahnstraße 89, Tel.: 43 (0) 463 32109 703, www.sw-umwelttechnik.com
1100 Vienna, Laaer-Berg-Straße 43, Tel.: 43 (0) 50 626-1471, www.ubm-development.at
The company has been developing and producing precast concrete elements used in infrastructure construction above and below ground level for water protection – for over 105 years in Austria, 25 years in Hungary and 15 years in Romania. Products for water protection are made in mainly at the three Austrian sites, such as oil separators, rain water usage plants and small waste water plants. Wolscher Privatstiftung holds 43.94% in SW Umwelttechnik, VBG Verwaltungs- und Beteiligungs GmbH and Bernd Wolschner personally hold more than 5% each. The remainder is in free float. The business year 2018 ended with a 26% increase in turnover and the best result in the company history.
Founded in 1873 as Union-Baumaterialien-Gesellschaft, UBM Development has turned into the leading hotel developer in Europa. The strategic focus is on the three core markets. Austria, Germany and Poland. Medium-term planning calls for roughly 50% of these investments in Germany, roughly 30% in Austria and roughly 20% in other markets. The same applies to our focus on the three asset classes: Hotel, Residential and Office. A syndicate comprising the industrialists Ortner and Strauss holds an investment of 38.8% as the core shareholder. Outside the syndicate, the IGOOrtner Group holds an additional 5,3%, private investor Jochen Dickinger 5%. 50.9% of UBM shares are in free float – this includes the shares of the management and supervisory board of 5.8%.
CEO: Klaus Einfalt CFO: János Váczi Supervisory Board: Heinz Taferner, Dr. Ulrich Glaunach, Reinhard Iro, Herta Stockbauer, Bernd Wolschner, Heinz Wolschner
CEO: Thomas G. Winkler, LL.M. Management Board: Martin Löcker (COO), Patric Thate (CFO) Supervisory Board: Karl-Heinz Strauss, Iris Ortner, Klaus Ortner, Ludwig Steinbauer, Paul Unterluggauer, Bernhard Vanas, Birgit Wagner, Susanne Weiss et al.
SW Umwelttechnik Stoiser & Wolschner AG Business Year: 1/1–31/12 ISIN: AT0000808209 Segment: Standard Market Auction Type of share: Common Number of shares: 659,999 Volatility (3 months): 99.5547 Last dividend: 0.30 euros per share Ex-dividend date: 14/05/2019 Market capitalisation: 10.9 mln euros First day of trading issuer: 19/11/1997
UBM Development AG Business Year: 1/1–31/12 ISIN: AT0000815402 Segment: Prime Market, IATX Type of share: Common Number of shares: 7,472,180 Volatility (3 months): 24.3723 Last dividend: 2.20 euros per share Ex-dividend date: 05/06/2019 Market capitalisation: 291.4 mln euros First day of trading issuer: 10/04/1873
World Champion Austria
_128
The top stocks on the Vienna Stock Exchange in 2019
Uniqa
Verbund
1020 Vienna, Untere Donaustraße 21, Tel.: 43 (0) 506 77-670, www.uniqagroup.com
1010 Vienna, Am Hof 6a, Tel.: 43 (0) 503 13-0, www.verbund.at
The Uniqa Insurance Group is one of the leading insurance groups in its core markets of Austria and Central and Eastern Europe. The company and its 40 subsidiaries serve about 10.1 million customers in 18 countries – with a comprehensive range of insurance and retirement products: from private automobile insurance to cybercrime protection for businesses. The shareholder structure is as follows: Uniqa Versicherungsverein Privatstiftung (Group) 49%, RZB Versicherungsbeteiligung GmbH 10,9%, Collegialität Versicherungsverein Privatstiftung 2,7%, own shares 0.7%, free float 36.9%.
Verbund is Austria’s leading electricity company, one of the largest producers of electricity from hydropower in Europe and operator of hydropower plants in Austria and Germany. About 95% of Verbund’s electricity comes from hydropower supplemented by wind power. As set out in the Austrian constitution, 51% of the share capital is owned by the Republic of Austria. More than 30% of the stock capital is owned by regional energy providers and less than 20% are in free float. Verbund shares are available in London as part of the European Quoting Service (EQS) and in the US as part of the ADR programme.
CEO: Andreas Brandstetter Management Board: Eric Leyers (COO), Kurt Svoboda (CFO/CRO) Supervisory Board: Walter Rothensteiner, Christian Kuhn, Erwin Hameseder, Burkhard Gantenbein, Markus Andréewitch, Marie-Valerie Brunner et al.
CEO: Wolfgang Anzengruber Management Board: Michael Strugl, Peter F. Kollmann (CFO), Achim Kaspar Supervisory Board: Thomas Schmid, Martin Ohneberg, Elisabeth Engelbrechtsmüller-Strauß, Harald Kaszanits, Werner Muhm, Susanne Riess, Jürgen Roth, Stefan Szyszkowitz, Christa Wagner et al.
UNIQA Insurance Group AG Business Year: 1/1–31/12 ISIN: AT0000821103 Segment: ATX, ATX TD Type of share: Common Number of shares: 309,000,000 Volatility (3 months): 19.4120 Last dividend: 0.53 euros per share Ex-dividend date: 29/05/2019 Market capitalisation: 2,510.60 mln euros First day of trading issuer: 08/11/1999
Verbund AG Business Year: 1/1–31/12 ISIN: AT0000746409 Segment: ATX, VÖNIX Type of share: Common Number of shares: 170,233,686 Volatility (3 months): 29.6456 Last dividend: 0.42 euros per share Ex-dividend date: 07/05/2019 Market capitalisation: 7,905.7 mln euros First day of trading issuer: 06/12/1988
Valneva
VIG
44800 Saint-Herblain, Campus Bio-Ouest/Rue Alain Bombard 6, Frankreich Tel.: 33 2 28 07 37 10, www.valneva.com
1010 Vienna, Schottenring 30, Tel.: 43 (0) 50 390-22000, www.vig.at
Valneva is a biotech company developing and commercialising vaccines for infectious diseases. Valneva intends to end its listing at the Vienna Stock Exchange by the fourth quarter 2019 in order to concentrate on the best capital markets for life sciences businesses and to increase its liquidity by concentrating trade on the Euronext Stock Exchange in Paris. (The shares traded in Vienna amount to less than 8% of the company’s common shares). Leaving the Vienna Stock Exchange will not curb Valneva’s operation in Austria: the important site in Vienna serves as a hub for its research and development activities.
The Vienna Insurance Group (VIG) is an international insurance company in Austria with its headquarters in Vienna. Today, the group is represented in 25 countries by 50 companies with around 25,000 staff. VIG has an A+ rating with a stable outlook from rating agency Standard & Poor’s, which makes it the best rated company of all on the ATX. About 70 percent of VIG shares are owned by the Wiener Städtische Versicherungsverein, the remaining shares are in free float. In addition, the VIG shares are traded as American Depository Receipts (ADR) on the US capital market.
CEO: Thomas Lingelbach Management Board: Franck Grimaud, David Lawrence, Wolfgang Bender, Frédéric Jacotot Supervisory Board: Frédéric Grimaud, Alain Munoz, Alexander von Gabain, Anne-Marie Graffin et al.
CEO: Prof. Elisabeth Stadler Management Board: Franz Fuchs, Judit Havasi, Liane Hirner (CFO), Peter Höfinger, Peter Thirring Supervisory Board: Günther Geyer, Rudolf Ertl, Maria Kubitschek, Martina Dobringer, Gerhard Fabisch, Georg Riedl, Gertrude Tumpel-Gugerell et al.
Valneva SE Business Year: 1/1–31/12 ISIN: FR0004056851 Segment: Prime Market, VÖNIX Type of share: Common Number of shares: 77,583,714 Volatility (3 months): 26.603 Last dividend: – Ex-dividend date: – Market capitalisation: 308 mln euros First day of trading issuer: 28/05/2013
Vienna Insurance Group AG Business Year: 1/1–31/12 ISIN: AT0000908504 Segment: ATX, ATX TD, VÖNIX Type of share: Common Number of shares: 128,000,000 Volatility (3 months): 22.7913 Last dividend: 1.00 euros per share Ex-dividend date: 27/05/2019 Market capitalisation: 2,956.8 mln euros First day of trading issuer: 17/10/1994
PALFINGER AG ¡ 5101 Bergheim, Austria ¡ E-mail h.roither@palfinger.com
Rahofer.
OUR WORLD IS CHANGING. AND SO ARE WE. New technologies and their potential applications are paving the way for the digital transformation we are currently undergoing. As a result, integrating digitalization in all areas of PALFINGER will make it possible to develop and test new ideas more quickly and transform them into future-oriented business models. To do this, we must continually adapt our point of view and watch carefully. After all, digital is everything and everything is digital.
PALFINGER.AG
World Champion Austria
The top stocks on the Vienna Stock Exchange in 2019
voestalpine
Wienerberger
4020 Linz, Voestalpine-Straße 1, Tel.: 43 (0) 503 04 15-0, www.voestalpine.com
1100 Vienna, Wienerbergstraße 11, Tel.: 43 (0) 601 92-0, www.wienerberger.com
Voestalpine is a leading technology group focusing on product and system solutions based on steel and other metals of the highest quality, and is a leading partner of major industries: Automotive, household appliances, aerospace, oil & gas. The Voestalpine Group is also the world market leader in full railway infrastructure systems, tool steel and special sections. It consists of 4 divisions: Steel, High Performance Metals, Metal Engineering and Metal Forming. In the business year 2018/19, Voestalpine recorded a turnover of 13.6 billion euros, an all-time high.
Founded in 1819 as a brickmaker, Wienerberger is an internationally leading provider of building materials and infrastructure solutions. It is world’s leader in bricks and also holds leading positions in other business fields. Wienerberger is a true public company without any core shareholders – all its shares are in free float. The majority is held by institutional investors, less than 15% by private investors. In the US, Wienerberger’s shares are available in the OTC market as part of an ADR Level 1 programme of the Bank of New York Mellon. IN its 200-year history, Wienerberger started 2019 with its strongest first quarter ever: thew group turnover rose by 15% to 776.8 mln euros, adjusted EBITDA went up by 89% to 109.0 mln euros.
CEO: Herbert Eibensteiner Management Board: Steel: Hubert Zajicek, Metal Engineering: Franz Kainersdorfer, CFO: Robert Ottel, High Performance Metals: Franz Rotter, Metal Forming: Peter Schwab Supervisory Board: Joachim Lemppenau, Heinrich Schaller, Franz Gasselsberger, Hans-Peter Hagen, Michael Kutschera (NYU), Helga Nowotny et al.
CEO: Heimo Scheuch, CFO: Willy van Riet, CPO: Solveig Menard-Galli Supervisory Board: Regina Prehofer, David Davies, Peter Steiner, Caroline Grégoire Sainte Marie, Peter Johnson, Christian Jourquin, Myriam Meyer, Oswald Schmid et al.
voestalpine AG Business Year: 1/4–31/3 ISIN: AT0000937503 Segment: ATX, ATX FIVE, ATX GP, ATX TD Type of share: Common Number of shares: 178,549,163 Volatility (3 months): 29.5179 Last dividend: 1.40 euros per share Ex-dividend date: 12/07/2018 Market capitalisation: 4,290.5 mln euros First day of trading issuer: 09/10/1995
Wienerberger AG Business Year: 1/1–31/12 ISIN: AT0000831706 Segment: ATX, VÖNIX Type of share: Common Number of shares: 116,351,496 Volatility (3 months): 25.9422 Last dividend: 0.50 euros per share Ex-dividend date: 08/05/2019 Market capitalisation: 2,380.6 mln euros First day of trading issuer: 15/04/1869
Warimpex
Zumtobel
1210 Vienna, Floridsdorfer Hauptstraße 1, Tel.: 43 (0)1 310 55 00, www.warimpex.com
6850 Dornbirn, Höchster Straße 8, Tel.: 43 (0) 55 72 509-0, www.zumtobelgroup.com
Warimpex Finanz- und Beteiligungs AG, Vienna, is a real estate development and investment company with special focus on hotel properties in Central and Eastern Europe. It develops and invests in CEE, Russia, Austria and France. Warimpex Finanz- und Beteiligungs AG is a “hybrid” real estate company that develops and operates properties itself as an asset manager and property owner until the time at which the highest added value can be realised through sale. 14% of Warimpex shares are held by Franz Jurkowitsch, 15% by Georg Folian, 11% each by Amber Privatstiftung and Bocca Privatstiftung, >5% be MetLife PTE, the remainder is in free float.
The Zumtobel Group is a leading provider of innovative, premium lighting solutions and lighting components, divided into several brands that can be found e.g. at the Wembley Stadium in London (Thorn) and the Elbphilharmonie in Hamburg (Zumtobel). Tridonic supplies lighting manufacturer all across the globe as an OEM. The brand acdc (architectural façade lighting and lighting solutions for hotels and restaurants, e.g. Osijek Bridge, Croatia) and ThornEco offer LED lights. The company recorded a turnover of 1,195.5 mln euros in the business year 2018/19. The Zumtobel family holds 36% of shares, Lazard Freres Gestion SAS 5% and Wellington Management Group LLP more than 4%. The remaining 55% are in free float.
CEO: Franz Jurkowitsch Management Board: Georg Folian, Alexander Jurkowitsch, Florian Petrowsky Supervisory Board: Günter Korp, Thomas Aistleitner, William Henry Marie de Gelsey, Harald Wengust, Hubert Staszewski
CEO: Alfred Felder Management Board: Thomas Tschol (CFO), Bernard Motzko (COO) Supervisory Board: Jürg Zumtobel,Volkhard Hofmann, Johannes Burtscher, Fritz Zumtobel
Warimpex Finanz- und Beteiligungs AG Business Year: 1/1–31/12 ISIN: AT0000827209 Segment: Prime Market, IATX, ATX TD Type of share: Common Number of shares: 54,000,000 Volatility (3 months): 27.5804 Last dividend: 0.06 euros per share Ex-dividend date: 06/06/2019 Market capitalisation: 72.4 mln euros First day of trading issuer: 26/01/2007
Zumtobel Group AG Business Year: 1/5–30/4 ISIN: AT0000837307 Segment: Prime Market, VÖNIX Type of share: Common Number of shares: 43,500,000 Volatility (3 months): 34.2867 Last dividend: 0.23 euros per share Ex-dividend date: 31/07/2017 Market capitalisation: 258 mln euros First day of trading issuer: 12/05/2006
austriatourism.com
A QUESTION OF PERSPECTIVE?
FOCUS VISION #focus #vision #recipeforsuccess You can only spot new opportunities if you see the big picture. That’s our recipe for success. simmoag.at
2020
World Champion Austria 2020
€ 27,50
WORLD CHAMPION AUSTRIA – yearbook
yearbook