World Champion Austria 2021 by medianet

In Austria and throughout the world.

2021

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World Champion Austria 2021

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WORLD CHAMPION AUSTRIA – Yearbook

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Wienerberger’s use of natural resources is guided by ecological awareness. We take our responsibility seriously, starting with raw material extraction: Depleted clay pits, for example, are not merely left behind, but are gradually reintegrated into the eco-system. In this way, excavated sites once again become habitats for numerous species of flora and fauna. we are wienerberger

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Heute das Richtige für morgen tun.

World Champion Austria

Editorial

The Corona crisis has deeply affected the global economy and, consequently, Austrian companies and their employees. While many sectors are about to reboot business, we are preparing yet another comprehensive set of measures to provide a kick-start to economic activity. Our top priority is to sustain our businesses and, in so doing, safeguard domestic jobs and create new ones where possible. According to the European Commission’s Spring Forecast, Austria’s gross domestic product (GDP) will drop by 5.5 per cent this year and rebound by 5 per cent in 2021. As people’s confidence is growing, consumption will rise and companies will tend to invest more. We are optimistic and doing everything within our power to ensure that our economy recovers over the next months and that activity improves in 2021. It is thus all the more important to take targeted measures to strengthen the domestic market. It is my intention to advance Austria as a business and digital location. The burden is to be reduced on every company, be it a start-up, SME or leading enterprise. This is to be achieved by less legislation and more service. To this end, we have launched the ‘SME Digital’ initiative to support small- and medium-sized enterprises in their digital transformation. In order to diversify and enhance the attractiveness of public digital services, we continue our efforts to further develop the ‘Digitale Amt’, or Digital Office, and the oesterreich.gv.at platform. Digitalisation, involving business and industry in particular, will benefit both urban and rural areas. The Corona crisis has beamed us into a digital future within a very short space of time. Building on this momentum, we must upgrade the digital infrastructure to create jobs in the regions. To meet our demand for skilled labour, a special division has been designated within the Austrian Business Agency (ABA) to assist labour-seeking employers in recruiting qualified workers from abroad. With ABA’s ‘Invest in Austria’ programme we actively promote the siting of foreign businesses in Austria. Numerous and varied policies enhancing the attractiveness of our locations are in place and will be further pursued with determination and consistency, while the export sector, so important to us, will be strengthened. Taken together, this provides a solid platform for growth and prosperity as well as for a successful business location.

Dr. Margarete Schramböck Federal Minister for Digital and Economic Affairs

Photo: Bundeskanzleramt

Dear Readers,

Dr. Margarete Schramböck, Federal Minister for Digital and Economic Affairs.

act. worldwide.

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World Champion Austria

Editorial

What a year full of challenges. Corona, crisis, Covid-19 – all words that some of us are sick of hearing and reading about. But still, there rarely is a global event that affects everyone of us. And that is also the big difference to other crises: We all can feel it. Even though the financial crisis of 2008 hit us hard, it did not cause lockdowns or stockpiling. Back then, many people were close to tears as well but we did not have to fear supermarkets running out of tissues and toilet paper. And just like in 2008, every crisis also has its upsides and offers new opportunities, no matter how hackneyed this sounds. Without the financial crisis our banks would maybe never have got their house in order and would not be in a position to offer our businesses such strong support. We also want to speak about making the best of new opportunities in this book. For example, what the provincial governments have done or plan to do in order to support the economy and to strike gold with said opportunities. Are there perhaps world-class businesses that were able to withstand the crisis? How are hard-hit sectors doing? How resilient are Austria’s family-run world and European market leaders? Where may we find the cradle of the Austrian business location? What have Austrian technologies achieved so far? What about research and development? How far advanced is digitisation in Austria? And are Austrian businesses as innovative as it is often claimed? Attention, spoiler: The answer is yes, they are!

Enjoy reading this book!

Helga Krémer Editor-in-Chief

PS: I would like to take this opportunity say thanks: Thanks to all our partners and thanks to everyone who helped make this book – directly or indirectly – possible. This book would not have been published without your help.

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World Champion Austria

Table of content

At a glance 12 “Our industry cannot be valued highly enough”

54 “Air traffic is something that will always exist”

Georg Knill, President of the Federation of Austrian Industries, on the challenges and the most important topics for Austria’s industrial sector.

Günther Ofner, CFO of Vienna Airport (Flughafen Wien AG), on logistics, climate protection and Covid-19.

58 More companies are putting their trust in railways 14 Hidden champions – crisis-proof and flexible stars

A study ordered by the Julius Raab Foundation researched the resilience of Austria’s family-run world and European market leaders.

75 Land of subsidies in an excellent geographic location

20 Strong and innovative business location

Economic growth and digitisation cost a lot of money, particularly during a crisis unlike anything seen before. But a crisis also offers opportunities. To make sure Austria doesn’t miss them the Federal Ministry for Digital and Economic Affairs has set up numerous initiatives and provides a lot of monies.

Attractive and business-friendly funding programmes combined with the proximity to economic centres.

78 Experience Burgenland with all your senses

Touch soft terry cloth, smell and taste hemp, hear better with little helpers – three examples from the East of Austria.

84 Vienna – world-class business location and metropolis

28 We hear what the economy says

Clemens Först, spokesman of the Board of Rail Cargo Austria, on innovations, digitsation and freight transport.

The leaders of the Senate of Economy Austria are discussing the business location Austria.

The Austrian capital excels in quality of life, stability, safety and infrastructure. It also carries the title ‘Greenest City’ – quite rightly so.

88 Advocate of infrastructure expansion 32 From an idea through a patent to applications

Researchers, inventors and developers shape the future. The Austrian Patent Office protects intellectual property.

Interview with Vienna’s location advocate Alexander Biach about his first year in office and future projects.

90 Keep your fingers safe with an Austrian invention 36 Enjoying your holiday responsibly in Austria

Sustainable tourism is a win-win situation all around with a pleasant side effect: Your relaxation is also sustained.

Bad accidents with panel saws will soon be a thing of the past thanks to an almost magical invention by the Felder Group and the Vienna University of Technology.

38 The highlights of this year’s virtual Export Day

96 Tyrolean trio for a strong economy

The annual get-together of the Austrian export trade agency Advantage Austria became a plea for open markets and a strong Europe.

Tyrol is counting on digitisation and innovation as well as research and development in its core areas technology, health and tourism.

40 The invisible hand and lifeblood of the economy

100 Vorarlberg – export champion and great innovator

Businesses need capital to keep running. Austria’s banks play a responsible role.

Austria‘s westernmost province has a high industrial ratio, a strong innovative capacity and is among Europe‘s top 20 business locations.

44 Austrian insurance companies are world-class

The Vienna Insurance Group is a big player in Central and Eastern Europe. CEO Elisabeth Stadler tells us about her company’s operations.

104 The perfect combination of tradition and innovation

Vorarlberg is a global hotspot for the development and production of fine fabrics and smart textiles.

48 The ballroom for Austria’s public companies

110 Upper Austria – top business location in Central Europe

2019 has not been an easy year for stock exchanges and in spring 2020 Covid-19 made for an even more difficult environment.

Dynamic, innovative, highly skilled – in order to keep these attributes, the province has launched the strategy #upperVISION2030.

www.sfg.at www.invest-in-styria.com

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World Champion Austria Table of content / imprint

114 Austrian heads global computer association

138 Research is at home in Styria

Computer scientist Gabriele Kotsis of the Johannes Kepler University was elected president of the Association for Computing Machinery.

Lush Styria not only has the largest proportion of forests in Austria, it is also number one when it comes to research and development.

116 Salzburg – cradle of the domestic business location

142 Little high flyers with loads of potential

The quality of the tourism and culture sector in Salzburg is world-class. Research and development is also in the fast lane to success.

Drones are a hot topic right now. Austrian high-tech companies and research institutes can play a big role here.

146 Technology has found its home in Carinthia 122 Lower Austria – the province of entrepreneurs

Internationality, innovation, digitisation and sustainability are the four key points in the economic strategy for this business location.

Information and communication technology including a so-called 5G playground in Klagenfurt, micro- and nanoelectronics in Villach.

150 Fashionable high-tech for your wrist 128 The office of the future comes from Lower Austria

Just in time for the return of office life Bene is presenting a new furniture line and offers interesting insights into the latest trends.

A big player in watchstraps comes from Austria. But there are also a few newcomers with great ideas.

132 Space research with Austrian technology

When the European Space Agency sends one of its satellites into space it has technology from Austria onboard.

Imprint PUBLISHER Germanos Athanasiadis EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Helga Krémer PROJECT DIRECTOR Erich Danneberg GRAPHIC CONCEPT Grafik medianet WRITERS Britta Biron, Andreas Brunner, Sylvia Foissy, Prof. Georg Jungwirth, Helga Krémer, Reinhard Krémer PICTURES s ee embedded picture credits, Cover: © panthermedia.net 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 Thomas Parger, Michael Stein ADVERTORIALS Helga Krémer MARKETING & SALES Alexandra Otto PRINTER Druckerei Bösmüller Gesellschaft mbH, Josef-Sandhofer-Straße 3, 2000 Stockerau, Österreich ISBN 978-3-903254-29-9 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.

SUCCESSSTORY Protecting what matters. Our Group is celebrating 30 years in CEE. In 1990, we began expanding into Eastern Europe and this firstmover advantage laid the foundations for our market leadership. This has enabled us to become the number one in CEE, a region which now accounts for more than half of our profit and premium income. To find out what also matters to us, visit www.vig.com

World Champion Austria Interview

“Our industry cannot be valued highly enough” Georg Knill, President of the Federation of Austrian Industries, on the challenges, the most important topics for Austria’s industrial sector and his Christmas wishes.

he Federation of Austrian Industries (IV Industriellen vereinigung), the voluntary and independent representa tion of interests of the Austrian industry and its related sectors has a new president, Georg Knill, since June. Georg Knill, President of IV Styria, Managing Partner at the Knill Group and Chairman of the Board at Rosendahl Nextrom GmbH, took over from Georg Kapsch after serving eight years as IV Presi dent. We met the new president for an interview.

Alongside the Covid crisis, which challenges does the domestic industry face and in what way? And how can IV give support? The top priority for the industrial sector is combatting the effects of the Covid crisis. Crisis management still remains the key chal lenge. The fight against the economic effects of the pandemic will take a long time to combat. Certain industrial sectors are faced with a downright sharp drop in orders. A further challenge lies in the trade flow as well as maintaining contacts to the clients. I was hoping for a quicker solution when it comes to travelling, but it will take a bit longer until we can get to our clients and until they can come to us. Our export-orientated economy is hampered badly by this. The Federation of Austrian Industries supports its members

Photo: www.alexandermueller.at

Why does Austria need the Federation of Austrian Industries? The importance of the Austrian industrial sector cannot be valued highly enough as it is the guarantor for stability but also of progress and innovation. Strictly speaking it represents 22 percent of the national added value and around one million jobs. It stands for employment and prosperity, and that is what we will continue to focus on. As a lobby, think tank, service facility and network organ isation, we strive to improve Austria as a business location – that is something everyone in the country should benefit from.

IV-President Georg Knill sees a bright future for the Austrian industrial sector.

Photo: IV/Katzer

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as an unbureaucratic, fast information hub between businesses and policymakers. It is important that recommendations and feedback from the business environment are coordinated and implemented quickly with policymakers. “The industry needs more staff specialised in STEM subjects,” said Christoph Neumayer, Secretary General of the Federation of Austrian Industries, referring to the subjects science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. I’m under the impression that our educational offer is often lagging behind demand. Is the reason really “only” the lack of training and university places or does the offer simply not connect with young people? What do we need to change? What would you recommend to young people who just finished school and want to continue their education? Being a country of innovation, we depend more than ever on moti vated and creative people with a knack for technology – both men and women. In addition to the right educational offer, it is also im portant to spark enthusiasm for technology. This already has to start in kindergarten and school. Many people still have a certain kind of respect or even dread when it comes to mathematics, sci ence and technology. We need to overcome this. But despite the situation on the job market remaining very chal lenging due to the Covid crisis, the industry is still more than hap py to train young people and offer them excellent career perspec tives. Our apprentices are our future skilled staff. Many of the roughly 1,200 industrial businesses that train apprentices are looking for committed and motivated applicants. Doing an appren ticeship in the industrial sector opens up many career paths. What do you wish from policymakers for Austria as a business location? It’s already autumn so some of us are already thinking of Christmas…

We need to strengthen our business location and bring more added value to Austria. Our starting point is quite good when we think of the research bonus and the investment bonus. If we could lower our corporate tax it would help Austria a lot in terms of business. I see a need to catch up when it comes to digitisation, an area where we are only average. This also includes the availability of broad band internet, the digitisation within the administration and the digital education offers. We also have a long and winding road ahead of us to reach cli mate neutrality. If we want to achieve it, we need to do so with a clear head so we don’t drive away added value. We need more from policymakers than financial instruments in order to bring about change. So, what do we need to do in the future and for the future? What ideas does the Federation of Austrian Industries have? We are committed to being among the best. The industry is the reason why Austria is one of the wealthiest countries in the world. We want to secure and increase this high quality of life, this high level of wealth. And to achieve this we need to catch up with the best in the areas that will decide our future – such as digitisation, research and development. We need to think about how the industry will develop and which conditions it needs. This is also about the value we place on the industry within Austria and the European Union. In order to strengthen Aus tria’s industry in the long-term and in a sustainable way, we need an innovative and bold industrial strategy with clearly defined and measurable targets. We will make a proposal by the end of the year. It will include the expertise of our provincial departments, of our member businesses and of our experts at our headquarters in Vienna. ◆

World Champion Austria Hidden champions

Hidden champions – crisis-proof and flexible stars A study ordered by the Julius Raab Foundation researched the resilience of Austria’s family-run world and European market leaders. By GEORG JUNGWIRTH and HELGA KRÉMER

What does a hidden champion look like? Almost two thirds of all hidden champions can be found in machine construction, the metalworking industry and the electrical industry. They are usually high-end manufacturers. If you wanted to describe a typical Austrian hidden champion, it would be a medium-sized company with a flat organisational structure run by a family. Being family-run is often the key to success. Unlike companies listed on the stock exchange, family-run businesses do not have to answer to shareholders at the end of each quarter. Therefore, they can pursue long-term corporate strategies and goals. The scientists at the Campus 02 University of Applied Sciences in Graz point out though that “long-term” is a broad concept. Often such companies don’t think in quarters or years but in generations. And this has an effect on the corporate culture and the staff. There is often a reciprocal loyalty in family-run businesses:

On the one hand, family businesses stand by their staff in difficult times and don’t let them go if business isn’t going according to plan. On the other hand, staff remain loyal to the company even when there is a better job offer elsewhere. Factors of success But what makes these family-run businesses from Austria so innovative and resilient? Which corporate culture can be found in such companies? And what can we learn from Austria’s world market leaders? Studies at the Campus 02 University of Applied Sciences have shown in the past that some of the most important factors of success of these businesses are connected to innovations. The Julius Raab Foundation (JRF) wanted to know more details and ordered a study from the university’s Department for International Marketing & Sales Management long before the Covid crisis took hold.

Photo: studio22.at

hey are not only top-class in their field; they are actually on top. They are often unknown to the average consumer because they are working in business-to-business. And they have mostly been family-run for a long time. They are hidden champions, the covert stars of the Austrian economy and international big players in their field. In order to meet the scientific definition to be called a hidden champion, a company needs to fulfil four criteria: Foremost, hidden champions are among the top three on the world market or European market leader in their field. Secondly, they are hardly known to the average Joe as they usually operate business-to-business models. Thirdly, they need to be headquartered in Austria, even though the ownership structure is irrelevant. And finally, their annual turnover does not exceed 300 million euros. If they do, scientists no longer call them hidden champions but major world market leaders. In Austria, this would apply to Andritz, Doppelmayr and Swarovski, for example.

Polyurethane to protect against vibration and noise: Hidden champion Getzner Werkstoffe is the leading specialist in vibration isolation and protection.

Photos: Palfinger

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An internationally leading manufacturer of innovative lifting solutions: Palfinger is not only the world market leader for hydraulic loading cranes but also the technology leader.

On the one hand, the research project wanted to find out how the family-run world and European market leaders from Austria shape their innovation activities. On the other hand, the project aimed to analyse why these companies have been particularly resilient in the past and why they are more crisis-proof in an unstable economic environment. We wanted to know more about them being crisis-proof. Resilience – hidden champions assess themselves Specialist literature often defines resilience as the ability of individuals or organisations to master crises or challenging situations by making use of their own resources or by using them for innovations. Thus, resilience was deemed a factor worth researching in the JRF study in order to better understand the innovative capacity of businesses. As part of the surveys, the researchers dealt in particular with the question of how capable the Austrian world and European market leaders are to ensure their companies’ survival in times of crisis.

Flexibility is an essential part of resilience. It describes a company’s ability to react flexibly and quickly to external changes (be they societal or organisational). On a scale from 1 to 5, with one being the best and five the worst, 26 percent of family-run world and European market leaders from Austria describe their flexibility as “very good”, 50 percent as “good” and 20 percent as “average”. Only two percent each said their flexibility was “bad” or even “very bad”. The second part of a company’s overall resilience is indeed its economic resilience. The ability to master crises or challenging situations with internal resources was considered “very good” (42 percent) or “good” (47 percent) by the majority. Only 5 percent of those surveyed called this ability “average”, 3 percent “bad” and another 3 percent “very bad”. Another question was whether family-run businesses are considered more resilient in times of crisis than other companies. 47 percent of respondents fully agreed that they are more resilient and 26 percent said they agreed partially. Only 3 percent rather disagreed and another 3 percent didn’t agree at all with

World Champion Austria

Photo: SAG

Hidden champions

SAG, the leading producer of aluminium parts for vehicles

this suggestion. The remaining 21 percent of those surveyed thought that there is no difference between these types of businesses in terms of resilience. But overall, the majority considered family-run businesses more resilient. The main reasons for this belief seems to be the long-term strategies, the high flexibility and quickness of family-run businesses, a family-like corporate culture and a higher commitment of the owners. The second statement regarding resilience said: “Our company is going to master all future challenges successfully.” 28 percent of respondents fully agreed with this and 47 percent partially agreed. Only 5 percent rather disagreed and 2 percent didn’t agree at all. With regards to companies having already survived existential crises in the past, the survey did not come to any conclusions. Respondents who were faced with an existential crisis usually refer to the economic and financial crisis of the years 2008/2009. The Covid crisis had not yet taken place when the study was conducted. One manager’s answer was very interesting though: “The financial crisis was extremely threatening to our business, as it resulted in our market being completely wiped out. The market was simply gone without this being our fault. We are talking about 80 to 90 percent loss of turnover, which is absolutely massive. We needed a lot of strength but it also went to show that if your business model is healthy and all stakeholders such as own-

ers, customers, banks and credit insurers pull in the same direction, such a crisis can be overcome.” The last sentence could become a mantra for many economic victims of the Covid crisis. The final question was how a company can become more crisis-proof. The results were mixed and there are no clear trends. Some ideas that were identified to hedge against crises were avoiding dependencies, opening up new business fields and markets, defining customer segments and offering an attractive range of products. Other aspects were establishing risk management, ensuring flexibility, pushing innovation, reflecting on your own actions and safeguarding the business with equity capital. Resilience and innovation go hand in hand The study shows that the vast majority fully agrees with the idea that innovative companies are more resilient and flexible than other businesses (73 percent). A further 18 percent partially agreed with it and only two percent rather disagreed. None of the respondents chose to answer “I fully disagree”. Overall, this question had found the highest agreement of all. This high level of agreement was further researched in the qualitative survey. Almost 90 percent of respondents said that innovative businesses are more flexible than other companies. The main reason seems to be that innovative businesses analyse

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Julius Raab Foundation

their environment more intensively and are therefore quicker to spot risks and trends. “If you are innovative you pay more attention to the future. You look to replace your current business, which probably has an expiration date, with new business. The question is only when,” said one respondent. Another one highlighted the factor time: “If I’m innovative I’m also finding out what the market wants. I can see changes early. I believe, that these types of companies are not better than others in their basic structure but they spot changes and threats earlier and can therefore react quicker.”

In alignment with its entrepreneurial self conception, it also considers itself as a “do tank“. It strives to develop new political ideas that can positively transform Austria and Europe. The underlying values of freedom, responsibility, solidarity, equality of opportunity, and honesty serve as the basis for its ideas. In honour of its namesake Julius Raab, the foundation promotes entrepreneurship as well as the Mittelstand and advances the idea of the eco social market economy in light of the 21st century. www.juliusraabstiftung.at

Photo: König Maschinen

Summary of the JRF study Austria’s family-run world and European market leaders base their success on the international markets mainly on their innovative and high-quality products and services. They do not only invest an above-average share of their turnover in research and

The Julius Raab Foundation is a think tank based in Austria. It is a member of the Association for Charitable Endowment (Verband für gemeinnütziges Stiften).

From a one-man-business to a globally active company: Today, König Maschinen is the world market leader in machines and plants for the production of pastries.

World Champion Austria Hidden champions

development, they are also signified by a corporate culture that enables and fosters flexible approaches and creative solutions. Without the strong focus on innovations and products of superior quality it would not be possible for a high-wage country to have almost 250 world or European market leaders despite an above average price level by international comparison. These model companies have excellent economic data and often have an equity ratio of 51 percent. The family-run world and European market leaders analysed in this study record an average turnover of 184 million euros and employ on average 1,081 staff. They can often be found in rural areas where they are often the largest employer in their region by far. When it comes to innovations, these internationally successful companies focus mainly on product innovations but process and service innovations have constantly gained in significance over the last few years. They consider their research and development departments and their customers their most important source of innovation. On average, they need 22 months from their first idea to the market launch; thereafter, their products are available for 14 years on average. They usually involve their customers very early on in the innovation process and protect their innovations mainly through patents. Many of the surveyed world and European market leaders from Austria largely refrain from registering patents though as they believe the best protection is being at least one step ahead of their competitors. They stay in the shadows but are not alone When it comes to research and development, almost all Austrian market leaders cooperate with external partners such as universities, other research facilities and experts. They do not only hope for valuable inputs for the innovation processes; such cooperation is often also the basis for finding new skilled staff. 86 percent of the companies surveyed make use of subsidies from the state, the provinces and the European Union for their research and development. These monies make it easier to take on a higher risk during the development stage on the one hand, but on the other hand fulfilling certain criteria to gain access to subsidies and the red tape involved are considered inhibiting factors when claiming subsidies. Overall, the innovative capacity is not only the most important factor of success of Austrian market and technology leaders, it is also the reason for them being highly crisis-proof and resilient in times of economic hardship. The surveyed family-run businesses

where on average 74 years old; the oldest company in the study was actually founded in 1599. The fact that the Austrian world and European market leaders are run on average by the third generation is another clear indicator that they can overcome economic and financial crises successfully. These companies consider themselves flexible and they believe they are more resilient in challenging situations. They think that the reason for this is the high willingness of staff in family-run businesses to go the extra mile and the management’s commitment is higher than in other companies. In the end there is always a new beginning As mentioned early on, the study was ordered and conducted before the Covid crisis struck. It remains to be seen how good the self-assessment of the respondents was with regards to the economic effect of the Covid crisis. “There are companies that innately have a bad atmosphere. They pretty much wait for a crisis to strike and then everything becomes even worse,” one of the respondents said when asked whether corporate culture has a positive effect on a company’s resilience and added: “If the atmosphere in a company is good then you maybe don’t see a crisis as a threat but as a challenge and then you are more likely to find a way out.” There is hardly anything to add to this. ◆

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

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About the study

About the study’s participants

Study design c qualitative individual interviews c quantitative interviews

Of the roughly 200 hidden champions from Austria 60 were selected for the quantitative survey according to these criteria: c world or European market leaders, or number two or three on the world market respectively c family-run business c headquartered in Austria

Structured into three phases c qualitative pre-exploration c quantitative survey c qualitative individual exploration 39 questions for data collection in the areas c corporate structure c innovation c research and development c resilience

Foto: Stoelzle Oberglas

The most important results of the study can be found at www.juliusraabstiftung.at/publikationen/ studie-innovation-und-resilienz-bei-familiengefuehrten-kmus/ (in German) or as a booklet directly from the Julius Raab Foundation.

Companies in the qualitative individual exploration c AKS Doma Solartechnik c Ekey biometric system GmbH c Getzner Werkstoffe GmbH c König Maschinen GmbH c Lumitech Lighting Solution GmbH c Palfinger AG c SAG c S.O.L.I.D. GmbH c Stahl Judenburg c Stoelzle-Oberglas GmbH c Teufelberger GmbH c Umdasch GmbH

For more than 200 years, Stoelzle Oberglas has been making premium packaging glass for pharmaceutical products, fragrancies, cosmetics and spirits as well as small glass products.

World Champion Austria Digitisation

Strong business location and innovative investments Economic growth and digitisation cost a lot of money, particularly during a crisis unlike anything seen before. But a crisis also offers opportunities. To make sure Austria doesn’t miss them the BMDW has set up numerous initiatives and provides a lot of monies.

Bonus for investments In order to stimulate business investments, entrepreneurs have the opportunity to apply for an investment bonus until February 2021. “The investment bonus creates great conditions for new business investments with the focus on digitisation, sustainability, life sciences and health. The non-repayable grant helps secure business sites, create jobs and trainee positions and improve Austria’s international competitiveness,” says Margarete Schramböck, Minister for Digital and Economic Affairs. The investment bonus is handled by Austria Wirtschaftsservice Gesellschaft (AWS), which is the economic development bank of the Republic of Austria, its sole owner. Applications can be made through the AWS Subsidy Manager for investments after 1 August 2020. Due to the legal nature of the investment bonus as general Covid relief measure, all successful applications made

Photo: ÖVP/Glaser

urther increasing the appeal of Austria as a business location is an important part of Austria’s economic policy, says the Federal Ministry for Digital and Economic Affairs (BMDW). It is of utmost importance to create a pro-business environment with structural improvements, to create conditions that favour the development and growth of businesses, that make business establishments easier and that ensure open market access. The international competition among business locations is becoming stiffer and stiffer. Therefore, the Austrian location factors need to be strengthened constantly and promoted internationally. Austria also needs to adapt to new challenges, one of which is the development of a sustainable and digital economy. This year, everyone has faced and is still facing new challenges.

Margarete Schramböck, Federal Minister for Digital and Economic Affairs

Photo: Pixabay

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between 1 September 2020 and 28 February 2021 will receive their monies. If needed, the one-billion-euro fund provided for the investment bonus will be increased by an amendment to the law. The AWS investment bonus is available to all sectors and all business sizes. The only requirement is that a business has its headquarters or a business site in Austria and is legally operated in its own name and for its own account. What, when and how much? The funding amount is 7 percent for investments of more than 5,000 euros with a cap of 50 million euros. It is important that businesses take the first steps for the start of their investment between 1 August 2020 and 28 February 2021. Such first steps could be orders, deliveries, the start of services, down payments, payments, invoices, conclusion of a purchase contract or the start of construction of the eligible investments. For investment amounts of up to 20 million euros, businesses have one year to carry out the investment. If the amount exceeds 20 million euros, the investment has to be implemented by 28 February 2024.

“We want to strengthen our business location with the investment bonus in the long run. It is important to create incentives for business investments. This is the only way to counteract the current restraint to invest among businesses and the investment bonus tackles this issue head on,” says Minister Schramböck. Material and immaterial new investments in depreciable assets that are subject to capitalisation are eligible for funding. Exempt from the investment bonus are climate-damaging investments, financial investments, investments into activated own work, into undeveloped real estate and business takeovers. The grant will be payed upon settlement and audit, and can be combined with other programmes of AWS. This applies in particular to the AWS Guarantee and the AWS ERP Loan. Monies from AWS The AWS Guarantee offers securities/collateral that your bank requires from you when granting a loan – and thus increase your chance of obtaining the loan. With the AWS ERP Loan, the bank enables growth, investments and innovation through low-cost soft loans with flexible loan periods and fixed interest rates. The

World Champion Austria Digitisation

Continuation of the successful project SME.DIGITAL The initiative SME.DIGITAL of the BMDW and the Austrian Economic Chamber was a success among Austria’s small and medium-sized enterprises right from the start. The programme has supported more than 10,000 consulting and implementation initiatives. The renewed programme also saw great demand over the past twelve months. More than 3,000 entrepreneurs received support for their digitisation measures since October 2019. “The current developments have highlighted the necessity for digitisation,” says Minister Schramböck. “The Ministry for Digital and Economic Affairs has therefore provided another three million euros for the second half of 2020 to continue SME.DIGITAL and meet the demand for digitisation of Austria’s small and medium-sized companies.” There are about 340,000 small and medium-sized businesses in Austria and almost half – 41.7 percent, to be exact, have a low level of digitisation. “Austria’s SMEs secure about seven out of ten jobs in Austria,” says Harald Mahrer, President of the Austrian Economic Chamber. “If these companies miss the digital train it has far-reaching consequences for our economy and our jobs, and curbs our ambition to become a leader in innovation. Digitisation is an opportunity for Austria, we need to allay worries and point out opportunities. The programme SME.DIGITAL strengthens the backbone of the Austrian economy and the skills of entrepreneurs and staff because digital know-how is a crucial factor across all sectors.”

There is particular need to catch-up for Austrian SMEs when it comes to e-commerce, social media marketing and using cloud services. Only 20 percent of dealers are operating with e-commerce and the Covid crisis has increased this need to catch up. And this is where the subsidy programme SME.DIGITAL comes in: It supports SMEs with a consulting subsidy when analysing digital trends and developing respective digitisation projects. The practical consultation looks at technological and social developments in e-commerce, digitising everyday business and increased online security. The nine provincial departments of the Economic Chamber and their district organisations serve as a sales network for SME.DIGITAL.

Photo: WKÖ Marek Knopp

tasks of AWS are – broadly speaking - awarding and executing business related funding by the state and providing financing and consulting services that are in the public interest and support the economy. In particular, these tasks include c awarding and executing grants and other means of financing in line with the Guarantees Act and the SME Subsidies Act c fostering innovation and innovation consulting for the benefit of the Austrian economy c executing aid according to the Federal Law on Promoting the Labour Market (AMFG) c procuring tasks and businesses of the ERP Fund according to the ERP Fund Law c providing and executing funding grants and other means of financing as well as acquiring business services that are passed to the company by law or winding-up agreement cp roviding consultancy services, especially to the state cp articipation in small and medium-sized enterprises

Harald Mahrer, President of the Austrian Economic Chamber

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It’s in the name One of the core tasks of the Federal Ministry for Digital and Economic Affairs is – nomen est omen – to further the digitisation in Austria. The overarching goals are to improve the existing conditions to make society ready for digital change, to facilitate digital innovation and technology transfer among businesses, and to coordinate and implement e-government solutions for businesses and citizens. “Our businesses need our support right now to take their first steps towards digitisation,” says Minister Schramböck. “SME. DIGITAL offers individual consultation and support to do this. This combination of consultation and implementation and the individ-

ual servicing of SMEs has led to the successful application of digital tools in businesses. Digitisation is a great opportunity for SMEs and it is in the best interest of our economy to take it.” Digitisation and AI Digitisation is the driver of the economy during a crisis. According to the Accenture study “Digitisation – Driver of the economy during crises”, ordered by the BMDW, increasing the level of digitisation can lead to a GDP growth of up to 1.9 percent per year. The use of artificial intelligence alone has a potential to create seven billion euros of added value per year until 2035.

Artificial intelligence Systems based on artificial intelligence analyse their environment and autonomously act to achieve certain goals. They work through expert-generated rule knowledge or based on data-derived statistical models (machine learning or deep learning). AI includes both pure software systems that set actions in virtual environments and hardware such as robots.

c Search in radiological image databases c Media monitoring through automatic speech recognition c Automatic summary of documents and message texts c Automatic detection of skin and retinal diseases c Self-learning software for accounting and billing management c Automatic audit systems to improve compliance c Intelligent sales platforms c Expert systems for automated telephone customer service c AI and language comprehension as an intelligent automatic teacher for foreign languages c Automatic translation c Intelligent scheduling c Logistics planning & optimisation c Electronic passport control c Fraud detection c Automatic music classification and music recommendation c Robots for textile design

Photo: Pixabay

Examples for AI from Austria

World Champion Austria

Photo: Pixabay

Digitisation

Austria needs excellent AI research in order to benefit from international technological development and to create a broad domestic knowledge base, which is the foundation for later applications. Despite the advances, AI technologies continue to require a great deal of research, from basic research to many interface topics, such as in enterprise AI applications. AI research at Austrian universities and in companies is therefore an important field of action. Research also plays an important role in education. Austria needs to be able to innovate using AI technologies. This requires trained experts who have ideally come to know the state of research in AI through their own projects at universities and universities of applied science. In addition to technical knowledge, these professionals should ideally also have knowledge of the economic application fields.

The application areas of AI are manifold. They range from systems that understand human language (such as automatic translators) to programmes that analyse visual information (for example, in autonomous driving), search engines, to systems that derive conclusions from data. This also includes assistance and consulting programmes or autonomous robots and vehicles. Frequently, AI systems are an integral part of other technical systems, e.g. in vehicles. AI technologies offer a variety of applications in a variety of industries. In addition to the development of new products based on AI, their application will make a significant contribution to the economic dynamics of Austria. Austria’s companies start from a solid basis for the successful development and innovative use of AI. Manufacturing companies, in particular, can benefit from the flexibility of AI systems and integrate them into Industry 4.0 systems (e.g., in the automotive supply industry).

Photo: Pixabay

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In addition, the increasing digitisation also offers a wide range of application possibilities outside of production – from marketing and customer care to bookkeeping. AI in the services sector is one of the most promising growth areas, such as in banks, insurances or consulting services. AI will create new opportunities for product and process innovation in almost every branch of the corporate sector. But new technologies are also often associated with high investment and knowledge costs, which can be challenging for the use of AI in small and medium-sized businesses. Which takes us back to the grants, subsidies and loans offered by AWS. Strategies The BMDW develops, promotes and supports state-of-the-art e-government to provide citizens and businesses with simple, secure and quick administrative procedures. Using existing data at

authorities, streamlining processes and promoting mobility are only some of the principles that future administrative actions will be based on. Supporting businesses with best practices when it comes to digital transformation, creating pro-digitisation legal frameworks and providing corresponding financial subsidy programmes are pre-requisites to establish Austria as an attractive and digital business location of the future. These are key points of digitisation in Austria: c supporting the economy with digital services (e.g. electronic business establishment) c creating a pro-digitisation environment to promote innovations c expanding digital services for citizens (e.g. at oesterreich.gv.at) c coordinating the digitisation measures of the entire federal government by establishing a digitisation task force

World Champion Austria

Foto: Pixabay

Digitisation

Benefitting from digitisation The BMDW’s initiative “Digital Plan of Action” wants to ensure that everyone – individuals and businesses – can benefit from the opportunities that arise from digitisation. The digital transformation will be a crucial factor for competitiveness, growth and wealth in all of Austria. The project “Once Only”, for example, aims to improve data processing and to streamline administration. “Once Only” means that data needs to be provided and gathered only once. Public authorities can re-use and exchange it in accordance with the regulations and data privacy laws. The advantage is obvious: Individuals and businesses do not have to enter the same data over and over again; online forms are pre-filled in and therefore

quicker to process. This also increases the competitiveness and benefits the Austrian economy indirectly. The scope of relief is tremendous, a study from 2007 shows: Every year, businesses have to send information to public authorities 230,000,000 times. This amounts to extra costs of 4.3 billion euros. The creation of the Business Service Portal USP (usp.gv.at) is a first step in the right direction and helps save several hundred million euros per year – and there is still room for improvement. The “Once Only” principle is also being implemented on a European level to reduce bureaucracy. The Single Digital Gateway regulation (article 14) sees the creation of technological systems for the automated cross-border exchange of certificates in Austria. Thus, the principle of gathering data only once also applies across Europe.

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Additional value for businesses In order to simplify official channels for businesses and in particular start-ups, the USP will in future not only include all necessary steps for digitally founding a company but also all registrations for administrative procedures in tune with the “Once Only” principle (e.g. registering for services of the Economic Chamber, services of the tax and revenue office, social security services). Businesses can enter all necessary data in one place (the USP) and do not have to send somebody in person. Authorities automatically get the data, save time entering this data and have more time for other tasks e.g. consultation. In addition to everyone saving time, the quality of the data will also go up.

Digital Austria Creating growth, jobs and wealth, improving the quality of life for people in all regions and of all age groups, offering secure, modern and accessible administrative services for businesses and citizens – these are the goals of the “Digital Plan of Action Austria”, which is being carved out in collaboration with numerous experts in various fields. The aim is to make the Austrian economic system crisis-proof, to increase competitiveness and to use data specifically for innovations. Other key points are the promotion of qualification and education programmes and cutting-edge digital research. The “Digital Plan of Action Austria” unifies specific measures for Austria to get the best out of the opportunities that arise from digitisation. ◆

World Champion Austria Tuning in

“World Champion Austria” hears what the economy says The leaders of the Senate of Economy Austria are discussing the business location Austria. By SYLVIA FOISSY and ANDREAS BRUNNER

he Senate of Economy Austria is a non-partisan business organisation and has been a driving force in shaping an eco-social and sustainable economy and society since its establishment in 2006. CEO Hans Harrer discussed Austria as a business location with President Erhard Busek and Vice President Benita Ferrero-Waldner.

Harrer: I am glad you took the time to exchange views on the business location Austria. In my opinion, Austria is an excellent location even just for the cultural quality of its society. The social security signifies Austria and we can proudly say that Austria is a safe haven for businesses and staff of different cultures. Austria has therefore the perfect foundations for further developing a prosperous business location. Busek: It is a remarkable achievement of the Austrian economy to have invested strongly into Central, Eastern and South-East Europe. Our country’s presence is felt stronger through the economy than through politics. Harrer: There is still need to catch-up in several areas in order to become a world-class business location. We need more courage and in particular more freedom for innovations. We will only be able to master our future if we meet the challenges of politics, society and economy with innovations.

Photo: Senat der Wirtschaft

Busek: Catching-up needs to be done mainly when it comes to trying to be part of infrastructure projects financed with EU monies. Apart from that, the sky is the limit when trying to show more commitment. Particularly with regards to the current Covid pandemic it is necessary to do more in this area.

Hans Harrer, CEO of the Senate of Economy Austria

Harrer: We also need more self-esteem within the EU in order to highlight our achievements. Which events do you consider significant when you think of Austria’s membership in the European Union? Busek: Joining the European Union and the fall of the Iron Curtain as well as the events in South-East Europe were significant, I would say. I had the opportunity to influence and help shape these things,

e.g. with the Stability Pact for South Eastern Europe or the enlargement of the European Union. I am positively surprised that everything went even better than I thought. There is still much more to gain for Austrians. Harrer: Covid-19 is a major challenge for the European Union. The next few years will show whether the Covid crisis has changed society in terms of personal interaction, ecological responsibility for the future, education, health and economic structures.

Photo: Senat der Wirtschaft

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Erhard Busek, President of the Senate of Economy Austria

Busek: The Covid crisis has led to a number of necessities that we have to face. One is surely the question of which jobs actually do have a future. We also have to say goodbye to things that sound nice but cannot be implemented in reality.

Commission. I hope that all EU members have learned from this crisis and will pull together in future measures. We need more Europe, not less.

Harrer: Exactly. We need to subject our thinking and our actions to a principle in which we do not speak only in empty phrases with words such as “should” and “could”. Doing it is the decisive way forward for every individual.

Harrer: We need Europe as a community and as an alliance more than ever. We must not go back to nationalistic structures because nationalistic politics are unable to solve challenges of the future alone.

Busek: Just to give one example: Vienna as an international hub. Austrian Airlines paid a high price for us having the wrong strategy. We are depending on Lufthansa, which has different priorities from us under the influence of the German government. It would have been better if we had established a regional airline with other countries that serves the region and then connects internationally, e.g. with Emirates or Turkish Airlines. That would be far more realistic and future-oriented.

Ferrero-Waldner: To me, multilateralism is indispensable in our globalised world. The prerequisite for functioning organisations is to put leaders in leading positions. Furthermore, it is often particular interests of a state that prevent quick and far-reaching decisions.

Ferrero-Waldner: Let’s stay with the Covid pandemic, for a moment. It has to be said that the EU has hardly any competences when it comes to issues of health. That’s why some member states blocked common support measures as suggested by the European

Busek: In reality, the Austrian legislation and administration needs to account for European and global aspects. National tasks will continue to exist in future but should deal more with regional questions. We need to find international solutions in diplomacy one again. We need to realise that the current organisation of the United Nations does not account for the current situation. We need to ensure the effectiveness of the UN the same way as on a European level.

World Champion Austria Tuning in

there is globalisation, which will stay despite the Covid crisis, but on the other hand we are not moving forward with legal policies. This issue has failed so far on a European level. Harrer: Something that SDGs do not reflect are practised values, which are the basis for all actions. To be humble but still be brave enough to act. The Covid crisis demanded this from us. The coronavirus has changed the world. Photo: Senat der Wirtschaft

Ferrero-Waldner: Globally, we can see that China is pushing harder into the gap that the United States have left by withdrawing from international cooperation, even before the Covid crisis struck. The pandemic actually reinforced this development. China is expanding its soft power in a very clever and consistent way. I believe that we will have a multi-polar world in the future. And the EU needs to take up a strong position in this multi-polar world. Unfortunately, the EU’s slow movement, which is sometimes caused by its own member states, is abused by some populist parties who turn it into anti-EU rhetoric. The EU needs to clearly communicate the huge financial support it provides.

Busek: That’s true. The Covid crisis has changed the world, of course, because globalisation has become visible in an unpleasant way. But this is only the beginning. I believe Benita Ferrero-Waldner, Vice President of the Senate of Economy Austria that change will come from another direction too: In future, some investments will remain beneath today’s levels. This will apply to tourism and maybe even to a certain type of affluent economy. Harrer: One thing that the United Nations mastered outstandingWe have been warned that we also need to make savings. We ly is drafting the Sustainable Development Goals. The 17 SDG saw this clearly during economic crises. When it comes to educagoals for sustainable development are a masterpiece for our comtion we need to think where we actually need a workforce and pass of social order mechanisms. They are a political declaration which education it needs. In the health sector we need to realise of the United Nations that serve to secure a sustainable developthat there are global phenomena. And the economy needs to take ment on an economic, social and ecological level all around the these factors into account and to create the necessary ties. Ecolworld. They open up space to take autonomous and not heteronogy is without a doubt an important issue but we need to apomous actions. proach it in a more practical and realistic way. There are too many In the last 15 years when the maxim was “faster, bigger and daydreams that often have little relation to reality. But this is a further”, economic and social change came about in a frightening discussion we will always have. pace. I’ve demanded for years to bring economy and society into balance in order to make society ready for the future. Therefore, Harrer: It is therefore more important than ever to develop an the SDGs are also a guideline for the Senate’s initiatives to impleeco-social transformation for a modern society that is not connected ment an eco-social market economy. to any party politics in order to allow for a neutral view of the necessity for change and its implementation. This is one of the Senate’s Busek: In addition to the SDGs and numerous other reforms, we main tasks and we will continue to fight for it tirelessly. ◆ need a different approach to how we make laws. On the one hand

Photo: Senat der Wirtschaft

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The Senate of Economy The Senate of Economy is a value-based community and strives for the balance of economic, ecologic and social goals in our economy and our society. Being a non-affiliated business organisation, the Senate ensures a knowledge transfer to political decision-makers in order to improve the business framework. Free from any party politics and particular interests and being financially independent, the Senate aims for the best benefit of its members and is a driving force in shaping an eco-social and sustainable economy and society. The Senate’s work is divided into the areas economy, ecology, education and health. All members of the Senate are very aware of their responsibility towards state and society and act hand in hand for an eco-social orientation of the economy and of society. Among the Senators there are CEOs of major businesses and international corporations, owners and managing directors of medium-sized enterprises, representatives from politics, authorities, diplomacy, associ-

ations, sports and culture. Going by the motto “Economy – That is all of us!”, they are brainstorming and looking for innovative solutions together with hundreds of companies from Austria, its neighbouring countries and the entire Danube region. Politicians are considered partners for dialogue. The Senate fosters partnerships and collaborations with other renowned institutions from economy and science, who are on the same page and who want to the exchange their knowledge of strategies and ways to master ongoing challenges. The Senate holds talks with political decision-makers, workgroups and think tank circles, sets practical initiatives and implements its own projects, hosts symposiums, congresses and regional business talks, and publishes papers in the media. Member companies can benefit from international networking thanks to the Senate’s sister organisations all over Europe. The Senate of Economy Austria was established in 2006. Erhard Busek has held the presidency since then. www.senat.at

World Champion Austria Patents

From an idea through a patent to innovative applications Researchers, inventors and developers shape the future. The Austrian Patent Office protects intellectual property.

the Future” hit the mark, making use and extending Austria’s research and development know-how. Furthermore, these subsidies from the Ministry of Climate Protection allow research results to be turned into real-life innovations that end up on the markets and in everyday life. “Innovations are the basis for our development as a society and thanks to inventions we can meet the challenges of tomorrow,” Minister Gewessler says. “Patents play a significant role in this regard because they prove that ideas can be turned into usable innovations. I am therefore particularly happy that people and businesses from Austria filed more patents in 2019 than ever Austria’s inventions to protect the climate before. Those who do research, invent and develop are the ones When you look at the filings at the European Patent Office – the last who shape the future. The Austrian Patent Office is working hard available data come from 2017 – you will see that Austria is doing to make patent filings and very well in three important trademark registrations possiareas of green technologies: ble, and offers more than just Environmental management, the core tasks of a patent office. environment-friendly buildings There are special services to and climate-friendly transport make the first steps in protecttechnologies. The number of ing your ideas and brands. And Austrian patent filings are far we notice that these services above the EU-average in these see higher demand.” areas. When it comes to cliWhen presenting the Ausmate-friendly transport techtrian Patent Office’s annual renologies, Austria ranks second port and the latest data, its behind Denmark and filed alPresident Mariana Karepova most 50 percent more patents went into more detail: “Austhan the average of the EU intria’s inventors and creative novation leaders Sweden, Finminds were extremely active in land, Denmark and the Nether2019. We registered six percent lands. more trademarks and saw highThese figures show that er demand in patent services specific research promotion compared to the previous year. with programmes such as “City Our IP Academy taught about Helmut List and his company AVL List is topping the ranking once more. of the Future” and “Mobility of Photo: Österreichisches Patentamt/APA-Fotoservice/Reither

019 was a record year for Austrian inventors: 11,731 patents from Austria were filed all around the world. Leonore Gewessler, Minister for Climate Protection, was delighted with this record: “We had more patents from Austria than ever before. Particularly many patents were filed in the field of climate protection – we are among Europe’s best in this regard. This is very important as innovations and inventions will play a major role in the fight against the climate crisis.”

Photos: Österreichisches Patentamt/APA-Fotoservice/Reither

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President of the Austrian Patent Office Mariana Karepova and Federal Minister for Climate Protection, Environment, Energy, Mobility, Innovation and Technology Leonore Gewessler

2,000 newcomers how to protect their intellectual property. Last year, just in time before the Covid crisis, we turned all our services fully digital. This has helped us a lot to keep providing our services during the lockdown.” The lockdown has left its mark, says Karepova. Trademark registrations were hit the hardest with numbers going down by 30 percent in April and May. “That is hardly surprising,” she says. “It is hard to position a new logo on the market if all the stores are closed. When it comes to patents, individual private inventors were affected the most; they probably hesitated to file their patents due to financial reasons.” Patent filings of businesses remained stable, however. “Inventions that were in the works already before the Covid crisis were filed for a patent anyway. But we will have to wait and see how the economic crisis will affect research, development and patents in the future.” Numbers in detail The Austrian ranking 2019 is topped once more by AVL List with 169 (utility) patents, followed by Julius Blum and Engel. In total,

2,724 patents were filed at the Austrian Patent Office. The leading province with 642 filings was Upper Austria – that is ten percent more than in 2018. The next two provinces were Styria with 463 filings and Vienna with 436. You have the highest chance of meeting an inventor in Vorarlberg: Austria’s westernmost province comes first in the ranking of inventions per capita. “Electrifying power trains is a key technology for sustainable CO2 reduction,” says Helmut List, CEO of AVL List. “At AVL List we see both a race and a cooperation of different technologies in the fields of primary energies, energy carriers and power trains. In the last three years AVL has filed almost one hundred patents just focusing on hydrogen and fuel cells.” Trademarks and innovations 2019 saw a strong increase in trademark registrations. 6,261 trademarks were registered at the Austrian Patent Office, which is six percent more than in 2018. Most trademarks were registered in Vienna (1,852), followed by Lower Austria (866) and Upper Austria (748).

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World Champion Austria Patents

Protect your intellectual property International studies show that start-ups are often forgetting to protect their intellectual property. Only nine percent of all small and medium-sized enterprises in the European Union own trademarks, patents and designs. When you’re looking at patents only, then only 0.8 percent of SMEs in the EU own one. That is far too little, says the Austrian Patent Office who went on to found the IP Academy for this reason. It offers consultation on everything around patents and trademarks. Other services of the Patent Office are also focusing on newcomers: Charlotte Ohonin is one of them. She used the “Patent Cheque” to protect her idea. Ohonin founded the start-up Norganoid and came up with a device that allows drugs for neurological illnesses such as Alzheimer and Parkinson to be tested on the patient’s brain without touching the body. To achieve this, a miniature of the brain is put on a chip. The technology is called Organ-On-Chip and is

Photo: Österreichisches Patentamt/APA-Fotoservice/Reither

Overall, almost 11,000 innovations were brought forward at the Patent Office, not all of them regarding patents or trademarks: The Office’s services saw high demand in 2019, being used in 1,292 cases for inventions, trademarks and designs by Austrian inventors.

Norganoid founder Charlotte Ohonin wants to patent further ideas.

slowly becoming a megatrend. “At first we were not aware that we could patent our ideas,” she says. “The Science Park Graz told us about the Patent Cheque and now we are planning to file further patents.” ◆

Patents

Trademarks

A patent protects your invention. It has to be novel and inventive and must not have been published at the time of application; anything that has been made publicly accessible anywhere in the world, in whatever form, constitutes the state of the art and no longer qualifies as novel.

A trademark may consist of any signs, in particular words, including personal names, or designs, letters, numerals, colours, the shape of goods or of the packaging of goods, or sounds, provided that such signs are capable of giving distinctiveness to the goods or services of a company.

A patent is a geographically limited exclusive right (monopoly) of limited duration. You alone may produce, sell or use the protected invention in Austria.

It is represented on the register in a manner which enables the competent authorities and the public to determine the clear and precise subject matter of the protection afforded to its proprietor.

N.B. Register your invention, before you go public with it. Remember: “Silence is golden!” www.patentamt.at

c A European trademark protects your brand in the entire European Union c An international trademark under the Madrid Protocol protects your trademark in more than 120 countries, among them the EU, the United States, China and Japan

24/7/365 # Real Estate Infrastructures # Facility Management # Analysis # Consulting # Ser vices # Monitoring # Repor ting

Download now: SIMACEK Sustainability Report 2020: www.simacek.com

World Champion Austria Tourism & sustainability

Enjoying your holiday responsibly in Austria Sustainable tourism is a win-win situation all around with a pleasant side effect: Your relaxation is also sustained.

Photo: Österreich Werbung/Jungwirth

he first use of the term “Nachhaltigkeit” (sustainability) in the German language in the sense of a long-term responsible treatment of a resource dates back to the year 1713. Hans Carl von Carlowitz used it in his work “Silivicultura oeconomica”, wondering how to plant and conserve trees for a steady and sustainable use to ensure that the land does not suffer. Thus, the concept of sustainability actually comes from forestry and means to never use up more wood than there is to grow back. Today, the term goes far beyond pure resource supply and describes the usage of a regenerating system overall, divided into ecological, economic and social aspects. And these are all aspects you will find in tourism.

Petra Stolba, Managing Director of Austria Tourism

Valuable contributions “Responsible tourism makes a significant contribution to our living environment with all its inhabitants and guests,” says Petra Stolba, Managing Director of Austria Tourism. “It is all about holiday experiences that meet the needs of people and the nature.” And the trend shows that sustainable tourism is becoming more and more important for Austria and also to Austrians. The tourism boards of all nine provinces and Austria Tourism ordered a study at polling institute Karmasin on domestic holidays in the period after the Covid crisis. One of the study’s questions was “How did the crisis change values among the population?” And the changes were in part quite remarkable, the answers showed. More than 50 percent considered freedom, nature, togetherness and safety more important than before the pandemic. Home, familiarity and serenity also gained importance, as did slowing down and sustainability. “The new social climate is optimistic overall. The new situation is used as an opportunity to reconsider your principles and values. We can see a new lifestyle emerging: Being more thoughtful, more considerate, having nature, home sustainability and serenity more in mind,” Managing Director Sophie Karmasin says. Sustainable journey and sustainable mobility According to the Tourism Monitor Austria T-Mona, a survey of tourists developed and launched in 2004 by Austria Tourism, the Ministry of Sustainability and Tourism, the Austrian Economic Chamber, the polling institute Manova and the nine provincial tourism boards, only 12 percent of domestic tourists travelled to their holiday destination by train in the tourism season 2017/18. The following season 2018/19 this figure had risen to 16 percent, showing that railway travel had already gained in importance before the Covid crisis. Guests from Germany and Switzerland,

Photo: Österreich Werbung/Harald Eisenberger

Photo: Österreich Werbung/Julius Silver Photo: Österreich Werbung/Dietmar Denger

Photo: Österreich Werbung/Gerhard Trumler

Photo: Tourismus Salzburg GmbH Photo: Österreich Werbung/Julius Silver

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Arts, culture, nature, culinary art. Cities, countryside, water, mountains, valleys – Austria has the right holiday destination for everyone.

the most avid railway travellers after the Japanese, confirm this climate-friendly trend. The T-Mona study also shows that Austrian tourists who come by train are particularly good for tourism when it comes to added value. They spend 174 euros per person per night (excluding their journey), which is clearly above the 150 euros per person per night that people who come by car spend. The offer meets the demand and vice versa In the Travel & Tourism Competitiveness Index 2019 of the World Economic Forum among 140 countries, Austria ranks first in the category Health and Hygiene, second in Tourist Service Infrastructure and third in the category Environmental Sustainability. In the overall ranking Austria is also very well placed and occupies the eleventh spot with 5.0 points. The increased demand for sustainable holidays is met by a rich offer in Austria. A survey of Austria Tourism shows that Austria has successful offers in the five fields of tourism (nature, arts, culinary art, regeneration and encounters). Here are a few examples: There is hardly any gastronomic offer that doesn’t use regional and seasonal products. In terms of culture, Austria has the tightest network of museums by international comparison.

And regeneration through thermal springs is something the Romans already valued. Environmental sustainability has always been important in Austria, just like climate protection – with or without tourism. Minister of the Environment Eleonore Gewessler underlines the importance of climate protection: “We are already seeing and feeling the effects of the climate crisis: Dry meadows and fields, more and more extremely hot days, constant storms and floods. Tourism is also suffering from this, for example if the water levels drop so low at Lake Neusiedl that people can no longer swim or sail there.” Austria’s tourism business cannot rest on their laurels, however, and “when the Covid crisis is over, they will have to face the issues surrounding sustainability, regionality and hygiene more than ever,” says Martha Schultz, Vice-President of the Austrian Economic Chamber. “Austria has always been a safe holiday destination and safety will continue to be an important factor of success for Austria as a tourist destination. Our guests are appreciating this and will continue to do so in future.” Petra Stolba agrees with this assessment: “Safety and sustainability are no new or strange concepts for Austria. It is something we have in our genes.” ◆

World Champion Austria Export Day 2020

The highlights of this year’s virtual Export Day The annual get-together of the Austrian export trade agency Advantage Austria became a plea for open markets and a strong Europe.

he Export Day is considered the annual highlight of Austria’s export trade and is Advantage Austria’s most important event. This year it was held in the digital world due to the Covid crisis. The central topic was kickstarting the Austrian export engine: Where do new opportunities arise? How will the markets develop during and after the crisis? And which subsidies are available to Austrian exporters?

export sector, supporting businesses with exclusive information through services such as the Export Radar. Austrian businesses are already in a strong position on the global market thanks to their high-quality products and services; this is a foundation to build upon.

Photo: WKÖ

Focusing on the European Recovery Fund The Deputy Secretary General of the Austrian Economic Chamber Mariana Kühnel discussed the European Recovery Fund and the The new economic world order after Covid-19 effects on the Austrian economy with EU Commissioner for One of the many illustrious discussion groups talked about the Budget and Administration Jonew economic order and rechannes Hahn. The central ommendations for specific acquestion was the availability of tions among businesses the new support mechanisms post-Covid-19. Participants – when would they come and were the Minister for Digitisawhich sectors would be eligition and the Business Location ble. “The main task is to reMargarete Schramböck, Depustart the Austrian economy, ty Secretary General of the which is of course closely conAustrian Economic Chamber nected to the European econoMariana Kühnel and the keymy,” Kühnel said. “80 percent note speakers Matthias Horx, of the rules and regulations Parag Khanna and Gernot that affect our businesses Wagner. “It is obvious what come from Brussels.” Johannes we learned from the crisis: We Hahn stressed the importance need to pay more attention to of securing the supply chains resilience,” Schramböck said. of European key industries and Global trade will continue to productions, and called for exist, of course, but we need to more courage when it comes have an eye on where producto taking risks in order to contion is taking place, the Ministinue being economically sucter added. Kühnel underlined cessful after the Covid crises is the relief measures of Advanover. EU Commissioner Johannes Hahn joined the Export Day via a live link. tage Austria for the Austrian

Photo: WKÖ

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Deputy Secretary General of the Austrian Economic Chamber Mariana Kühnel and Minister for Digitisation and the Business Location Margarete Schramböck on the main stage

EU trade policy “We have always supported the European Union and are always going to support it so that it can keep its leading role in promoting free and sustainable trade in the face of misguided protectionism,” says Jürgen Roth, Vice-President of the European trade representation EuroCommerce in a video conference with EU Trade Commissioner Phil Hogan. “If there is one thing to learn from the developments over the last few months, it is to keep the markets open,” he told Hogan. “The European retailers and wholesalers are operating all over the globe, either as exporters of goods made in Europe that are in high demand or as importers where they help give consumers a large choice of the world’s best products.” Roth also believes that “the EU trade policy will focus more than ever on the opportunities of the digital world. The EU’s digital agenda needs to help our companies to grow and to find new opportunities on the global market through electronic trade.” Eurochambres President Christoph Leitl underlined Europe’s position in the world on the virtual main stage: “We can overcome all global challenges with a strong common market and as many free trade deals around the world, supported by European innovation and qualification,” he said. It is now of utmost importance that the European Union supports businesses and that this support comes as quickly as possible. ◆

2019 in exports Last year saw exports grow by 2.3 percent. Due to an increase in imports by 1.1 percent, the trade deficit went down. The export of goods amounted to 153.5 billion euros and the imports to 157.82 billion euros, reducing the trade deficit from 5.99 billion euros to 4.23 billion euros. The export of goods to the European Union went up by 1.9 percent to 106.94 billion euros, imports from the EU grew by 0.3 percent to 110.66 billion euros. Foreign trade with countries outside the EU increased even more: Exports went up by 3.2 percent to 46.56 billion euros and imports grew by 3.1 percent to 47.16 billion euros. More than half of Austria’s foreign trade in 2019 took place with the five countries Germany, Italy, United States, China and Switzerland. Just 20 countries make for 85 percent of all imports and exports; this includes all neighbouring countries except for Liechtenstein. Business with Australia went up by 20.6 percent, replacing South Korea in the top 20 of the most important trade partners.

World Champion Austria Banks

The invisible hand and lifeblood of the economy Businesses need capital to keep running. Austria’s banks play a responsible role.

he economy doesn’t work without money – and supplying the economy with its lifeblood is the banks’ main task. There is hardly a company that can keep its operations afloat without a financial cushion. Banks take care of providing this capital, often without the general public really being aware of it. They serve as an invisible hand, so to speak, that gets everything started and then up and running. A tremendously important job for the economy.

During the corona crisis this became clear like never before with people needing their cash supply. In Austria you can get your cash from about 9,000 cash machines as well as from cash registers in retail stores and petrol stations. This extensive infrastructure paid off during the corona crisis as the public cash flow was never in danger. Austria has a tight network of bank branches, in fact one of the tightest in Europe with about 600 financial institutes and 3,600 branches.

Photo: Erste Bank Österreich

Economy and banks “Banks are only doing well if the businesses and the economy are doing well,” says Robert Zadrazil, banker and President of the Association of Austrian Banks. “All Austrian banks are doing their best to help their customers through these hard times. And they are in a good position to do so, as Austrian banks are equipped with sufficient capital and liquidity. This is the significant difference to the financial crisis of 2008. Back then, the capital market was part of the problem. During the Covid crisis 2020 banks and other financial institutions are part of the solution.”

“We are trying to process bridging loans, deferrals and state aids as quickly as possible and to keep the effects of the crisis for businesses as low as possible.” Peter Bosek, CEO of Erste Bank

Globally leading system The Austrian banking system is running smoothly and is considered one of the best and most secure in the world. And the figures are backing this up. Not necessarily in terms of absolute numbers – due to its population Austria is hardly a giant – but when you look at the percentual development. In 2019, corporate loans rose by an impressive 6.2 percent to 163.4 billion euros. Private loans went up by 4.2 percent to 168.8 billion euros. At the same time, the deposits of businesses at Austrian banks increased by 5.2 percent to a new all-time high of 70.9 billion euros. Saving is obviously still in fashion, in Austria.

Photo: Pixabay/Philippe Delaviea

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Liquidity is the economy’s lifeblood. Austria’s banks ensure a seamless supply.

Austrian banks bolstered their equity over the last few years. Their financial cushion for times of crises, i.e. their core capital, went up two-fold from eight percent in 2008 to about 16 percent in 2019. The volume of bad loans decreased from 14 to about two percent. Thanks to a stable financial performance, the low interests on borrowings and the high amount of quickly available bank deposits, Austrian banks were well-equipped to master the particular challenges of the corona crisis. The cash flow keeps everyone afloat One issue that affects the economy is home-made and has historical roots, though it hardly is not just an Austrian problem: “Unfortunately, bureaucracy is still a big hurdle for businesses,” Bosek says. “Some procedures had been eased during the height of the crisis, significantly speeding up many processes such as corporate loans or deferrals.” But that is not enough, he believes: “We urgently need further simplification for businesses. Requirements need to be more

proportional. For example, there really is no point in constantly getting on the nerves of small business owners and restaurateurs with rules and regulations. We urgently need a discussion to remove some of the hurdles and give back entrepreneurs the joy of owning a business,” says the Erste Bank CEO. Making banking pleasant for customers One of the most important banks for the Austrian economy is RBI, Raiffeisenbank International. It sees itself as a relationship bank and is therefore keeping close ties to the Austrian economy, RBI says: “One of our biggest concerns is to serve our relationship customers in the best way possible, also during the crisis with financing solutions and advice. This includes our expert advice on all state subsidies and support mechanisms that were introduced during the Covid-19 pandemic.” But Raiffeisenbank International doesn’t want to stand still: “We want to make banking as pleasant as possible for our customers and keep expanding our online offer such as the digitisa-

World Champion Austria

Photo: Sabine Klimpt

Banks

Raiffeisen Bank International has more than 16 million customers in Central and Eastern Europe.

tion of the KYC process (“eKYC”) and the digital opening of accounts (eAccountOpening).” A reliable partner RBI is a reliable partner and financer of the Austrian economy: “This becomes evident when you look at the investments in Austria on the one hand and how we work with Austrian businesses on our core market CEE on the other hand. Within Austria, the Raiffeisen Group is the market leader: about one third of all corporate loans are issued by Raiffeisen – and that figure keeps rising,” the bank says. RBI faces the challenges for the entire banking sector: “Even though 2020 has been heavily impacted by Covid-19, we are also looking into the future: In addition to digitisation, the fight against climate change will influence the financial sector in the long term. This, in turn, will have an effect on the business model of many Austrian companies.” Raiffeisenbank International

sees changes as an opportunity though: “We are ready to walk this path hand in hand with our customers by offering green financing solutions. It is important to us to take up social responsibility in this area.” Big and small Robert Zadrazil is not only President of the Association of Austrian Banks but also CEO of UniCredit Bank Austria. He likes to describes his company’s role in the Austrian economy as this: “Being Austria’s leading bank for entrepreneurs, we are a stable and reliable partner for domestic businesses – from sole proprietors to large corporations. We have a strong footing and enough equity and liquidity to finance and support private households and businesses of all sizes. We are able and willing to honour our responsibility.” Providing liquidity is a central concern of Zadrazil: “Every week we issue hundreds of millions worth of loans. At the be-

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Photo: Lukas Bezila

down measures in the best ginning of the Covid crisis, for way possible. We can advise example, we issued loans of businesses with our extensive about 2.7 billion euros within financial know-how. In addition a few weeks, and we proto our core competence of ficessed tens of thousands of nancing and subsidy consultadeferrals to support private tion, we offer expert advice for households. We are therefore liquidity planning, revising one of the country’s leading business plans or when openbanks and a reliable partner ing up new markets,” says for our customers.” Robert Zadrazil. The Bank Austria CEO wants to boost the economy Robert Zadrazil is CEO of UniCredit Bank Austria and President of the Association of Looking forward with all the instruments that Austrian Banks The crisis highlighted custombanks have to offer: “As a ers’ access to their banks. Due to the lockdown measures many bank it is in our best interest to do everything we can to help the people realised that they can easily do their banking online. The economy overcome the crisis and start flying high again.” Association of Austrian Banks believes that this development will continue in future and branches will mostly be needed for Opening up new markets advice on complex products and individual solutions. During the first phase of the crisis it has been extremely important Mobile payment was another thing that many people tried for to ensure customers’ liquidity and contribute to domestic the very first time during the corona crisis. If customers demand with measures such as bridging loans had positive experiences with it and realised that and deferrals, Zadrazil says: “It is neceseverything works smoothly, they will continue sary to both help businesses steer to use this payment option, the association clear of the crisis and to support believes. ◆ the ease of lock-

Photo: Pixabay/Gerd Altman

World Champion Austria Insurers

The Austrian insurance companies are world-class The Vienna Insurance Group is a big player in CEE. CEO Elisabeth Stadler tells us about her company’s operations.

Photo: PhilippLipiarski

ustrian insurance companies are among the most stable in the world. While insurers in the United States went bust, the Austrian ones didn’t twitch even during the most severe crisis. Insurance companies with their roughly 60,000 staff are important employers in Austria and have a stabilising effect on the financial markets. They have assets of more than 110 billion euros in government bonds, real estate, holdings and stocks. The sector makes a massive contribution to socio-political questions such old-age provision, health, coverage in traffic or during sports activities, protection of property and economic operation.

Elisabeth Stadler, CEO of Vienna Insurance Group

Austrians believe in insurances: They have taken out more than 50 million policies. Overall, in 2019, the Austrian insurance sector recorded an increase in premiums of 2.1 percent to 17.7 billion euros. Like in the rest of Europe, there was a decrease in premiums for life insurances due to low interest rates. The overall premium generation was at about 18 billion euros in 2020, which is an increase of about 1.9 percent. Big player in the East One of the big players in Central and Eastern Europe is the Vienna Insurance Group VIG. It emerged from the Wiener Städtische Versicherung, the corporation’s predecessor which was only operating in Austria. Today, VIG has about 50 subsidiaries in the entire CEE region. In 2016, Elisabath Stadler, who graduated in actuary, became the CEO of VIG Holding. Speaking to “World Champion Austria”, she tells us of the operations and plans of one of the biggest insurance companies in Central and Eastern Europe. Can you tell us about the advantages for your business of being headquartered in Austria? Like many Austrian companies we were able to benefit from the fall of the Iron Curtain by expanding to Eastern Europe. With the break-up of the Eastern Bloc Austria moved from Europe’s border to its centre and is now the optimal platform for our expansion strategy due to the high economic and structural development. We were the first mover to begin expanding to the CEE region exactly 30 years ago. Today, we are not only the market leader in Austria but also in Central and Eastern Europe. We are number one or at least among the top 5 in the majority of our markets. Being an Austrian company, what makes VIG so successful in Central and Eastern Europe?

Photo: Pixabay

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Austrian’s like to be insured: They have taken out more than 50 million policies.

when we see potential for growth. Our primary focus remains the Firstly, having taken the opportunities for expansion in a then upCEE region, however. We still see tremendous growth potential and-coming region early on. The Vienna Insurance Group puts its here. focus on Central and Eastern Europe and pursues long-term business strategies in the markets we operate in. It wasn’t just imporWhich criteria do you go by when selecting opportunities for tant to be one of the first insurers to take advantage of the fall of growth? the Iron Curtain. It was a spot-on decision. By now, we generate Profitability has to be at the forefront of all our considerations, of more than half of our premiums and of our profit in the CEE region. course. If it doesn’t add up, Secondly, we are pursuing a we’ll leave it be. We make decilong-term and customer-orientsions not only to benefit from ed strategy in these markets. “The business model of insurers won’t change in itfavourable economic data but With the exception of Rusself but I consider adaptations necessary.” to be profitable and successful sia, we have not left any market Elisabeth Stadler with our long-term strategy. that we had opened up. We When it comes to acquisitions, invest sustainably and make an we are constantly surveying important contribution to the opportunities on the market. Not everything we are looking at positive development of the insurance markets that we operate in. meets our standards. We only make acquisitions when it makes And thirdly, our wide diversification is another factor of our success. economic sense. We take up all opportunities while spreading our risks. Where and how does VIG want to grow? Our compass continues to point eastwards even though we are also successfully pursuing business opportunities such as in Northern Europe, for example. Simply put, we are always open for ideas

What is your positioning strategy? It is our defined goal to be a reliable and stable partner. Our business results prove this, I would say. We have exceeded the goals that we set every year since 2016. Our core business is defined by

World Champion Austria Insurers

Photo: Group Robert Newald

How did 2020 go for you so far? Which measures did you take? The Covid-19 pandemic is a global economic crisis that we also felt, of course. We were affected in particular by the developments on the capital market. We are therefore looking very closely at the development of the capital markets. But we are confident that we can manage the effects of the Covid crisis as well as possible because we have solid equity and can look back at excellent results in 2019. Having a great balance sheet and prudent accounting are a strong foundation in times like these. Another strength of ours is our management programme Agenda 2020, which focuses on improving efficiency and forcing digital transformation within the Group. We started this programme in 2017 and will continue to strictly pursue our goals even during the Covid crisis.

VIG’s is headquartered in the Ringturm tower in Vienna’s city centre.

thinking in and for generations and being able to meet our customers’ insurance benefits. Far-sighted and profitable growth are therefore the prerequisite for the Group’s long-term stability. What is your market share in your area of operation? We are not only the largest insurance group in Austria with a market share of 25.5 percent but also the leading insurance group in Central and Eastern Europe with a market share of about 18 percent. How many people do you employ in total? More than 25,000 people work in 30 countries for VIG, serving more than 22 million customers.

What are your goals for 2020? As I said, we are focusing on the Agenda 2020, which serves foremost to further increase our profitability and sustainability. It also includes opportunities to take advantage of growth potentials, which we see for example in health insurance, bank insurance retail, corporate business, in the expansion of our re-insurance business and in profitable acquisitions. We are already working out a subsequent programme for 2025. What will your focus be on? We believe that sustainability and digitisation are two areas that will have the biggest impact on society and the economy, and are therefore decisive for growth opportunities. I don’t see the Covid crisis having an impact on the importance of these two areas – quite to the contrary. Living with the pandemic will leave its marks and I believe it will actually accelerate the trend for more sustainability. The effects of climate change, which we all are noticing and have to face, will not disappear because of the Covid crisis. We see sustainability as an essential part of our business strategy and as a competitive advantage. For me, keeping in shape for the future is part of a sustainable, long-term perspective. Therefore, we consider the digital transformation an opportunity for growth. We can create clear additional benefits for customers through digitisation and adapt our business model to technology-driven and changing customer behaviour. Right now, we have more than 180 digitisation projects up and running in our Group and we are investing about 50 million euros annually into digitisation.

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Photo: Robert Newald

How is digitisation going to change the business model of insurers? The business model of insurers won’t change in itself but I consider adaptations necessary. They regard offers and services that are not part of the traditional insurance business, i.e. protecting against risks. I’m thinking of assistance services, for example. I see a changing behaviour among customers when it comes to protection, which is signified by specific events and short-term thinking. As an insurance company we need to change in this regard: Foremost, we need to adapt our business model to the new technology-driven customer behaviour in order to meet the customer’s demands. We see digitisation thus as an additional benefit foremost. We are not just having contact with customers in case of a damage but we can offer them a number of appealing services. We are already implementing numerous measures in this regard.

Komunalna Insurance is one of VIG’s subsidiaries in neighbouring Slovakia.

All of this is being done from your headquarters in the iconic Vienna Ringturm tower, which is celebrating its 65th anniversary this year. Is it a special office building to you? It is, without a doubt. It is not only the headquarters of our main shareholder, Wiener Städtische Versicherungsverein, our largest subsidiary, Wiener Städtische Versicherung, and of the Vienna Insurance Group. It is also the first high-rise office building in Austria and opened shortly after Austria’s independence on 14 June 1955. Therefore, it has also of high social significance as it became a symbol of Austria’s regained freedom and the economic boom. Today, we consider our headquarters as a meeting point to exchange ideas. There are numerous cultural and political forums as well as exhibitions. The Ringturm has also gained cultural significance as one of Europe’s largest urban works of art: Since 2006, the Ringturm is regularly turning into a 4,000 sqm big work of art. Unfortunately, we couldn’t do the annual ‘wrapping of the Ringturm’ due to the Covid pandemic in 2020. ◆

World Champion Austria Vienna Stock Exchange

Vienna Stock Exchange – the ballroom for Austria’s public companies 2019 has not been an easy year for stock exchanges and in spring 2020 Covid-19 made for an even more difficult environment.

ounded in 1771, the Vienna Stock Exchange is one of the most venerable stock exchanges in the world. Today, Wiener Börse AG is a modern, customer- and market-oriented infrastructure business, operating the stock exchanges in Vienna and Prague. The group offers the latest infrastructure and provides market data and information. It’s business rests on five pillars: securities trade and listing, market data, index calculation, IT services and central securities depository.

market data and central securities depository business areas recorded significant growth. This compensated for declining revenues from trading and kept the result stable and above budget. “The Vienna Stock Exchange delivers convincing quality and new initiatives in a challenging competitive environment. It provides the best possible infrastructure for Austrian companies, global investors and regional partners. With a view to post-Corona times, the government is well advised to activate private capital and make best use of the stock exchange so that the Austrian economy can recover more quickly”, said Heimo Scheuch, Chairman of the Supervisory Board of Wiener Börse AG. “What is so striking about the public stock market is that no other instrument can simultaneously provide more financing, visibility for a company and ensure a sustainably professional corporate organisation. This is exactly what will be needed after the Corona crisis, even though lending is currently still the main focus”.

Photo: Wiener Börse

A short review: stability through diversification Wiener Börse AG reviewed its financial year 2019 and provided insights into its current initiatives. The expansion of trading services, three IPOs, new SME segments and growing bond listings demonstrate the attractiveness of the Vienna marketplace for companies. Marinomed Biotech (1 February 2019), Frequentis (14 May 2019) and Addiko Bank (12 July 2019) celebrated their debut in the top segment Prime Market. RHI Magnesita is listed once more in the Standard Market as of March 2019. In a consolidating market that continues to be subject to strong regulatory burdens, equity trading throughout Europe declined. In this challenging environment, the exchange operator expanded its market share and its position as an infrastructure provider. Trading hours and quotation lists were Christoph Boschan, CEO of Wiener Börse AG extended, and the IT services,

Figures 2019 Company revenues amounted to 66.8 million euros in 2019, a slight decrease of 3.3 percent (2018: 68.9 million euros ), which was primarily due to the declining activity of trading participants (Vienna 2019: 62 billion euros, 2018: 70 billion euros, -12 percent, Prague: 8.5 billion euros, 2019: 11.1 billion euros, -24 percent). The reallocation of funds to North America and the uncertainties caused

Foto: Wiener Börse

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In 2019, analysts started to give the bull the count several times. In 2020, the bear overtook the bull – whether because of the Covid-19 pandemic or not is still up for debate.

by the Brexit caused international investors to act more cautiously. Revenues in IT services developed very positively. Growth was also achieved in data business, listing, trading of foreign securities and custody services. The continued diversification thus almost completely compensated for the decline in earnings from trading. Costs and expenses were reduced by simplifying the group structure. Wiener Börse AG generated a profit before taxes of 34.19 million euros in 2019. This is 6.4 percent down on the previous year (36.52 million euros). The result is slightly better than the planning for 2019, which included some investments as well as accounted for a more restrained trading activity of the market participants. For 2020, significant growth is expected so far. The equity capital of Wiener Börse AG amounted to 143.3 million euros as of 31 December 2019, and the balance sheet profit for 2019 was 26.4 million euros. At the end of December 2019, Wiener Börse AG had 160 employees (full-time equivalent). Like many of its listed companies, the Vienna Stock Exchange operates globally and generates 84 percent of its turnover with international customers. “Broad diversification and a strong footprint in the region make a significant contribution to our ability to achieve our annual targets. However, a stronger domestic shareholder base would by no means be just a mere showpiece for the stock exchange, but a solid support for crisis management and corporate financing. Countries with developed capital markets

show more growth and recover faster from crises”, says Christoph Boschan, CEO of Wiener Börse AG. Covid-19: stock exchange as critical infrastructure provider In the spring of 2020, both trading turnover and price fluctuations rose sharply. From the beginning of the year up to and including May 2020, equity trading volumes amounted to 32.03 billion euros, a year-on-year increase of 21.4 percent (Jan-May 2019: 26.38 billion euros). In managing high volatility and the surge of transactions, the exchange operator relies on proven protective mechanisms such as the volatility interruption. The average monthly turnover in the first quarter 2020 of 7.2 billion euros was the highest of the past ten years. March alone saw a turnover of 10.94 billion euros, an increase of 82.64 percent compared to March 2019 (5.99 billion euros). The days with the highest trading volume in Q1 2020 where 20 March with 777 million euros (end of quarter), 9 March (765 million euros) and 28 February (748 million euros). The Austrian stocks with the highest turnover in the first quarter 2020 where Erste Group Bank AG with 3.68 billion euros, OMV AG with 3.04 billion euros and Voestalpine AG with 1.92 billion euros. Raiffeisen Bank International AG (1.79 billion euros) and Verbund AG (1.45 billion euros) ranked fourth and fifth, respectively.

World Champion Austria Vienna Stock Exchange

Photo: Wiener Börse

Expanded offering Wiener Boerse AG operated In April 2020, the Vienna Stock its infrastructure for nine weeks Exchange launched the calculalargely by means of remote action of the new CECE SOFT cess and teleworking. Since index. It comprises the largest mid-May, operations at the site and most liquid companies in have been continued in alterthe “Software & IT Services” nating teams. sector in Central, Eastern and “In times of crisis, exchangSoutheastern Europe. The softes stand out through transparware industry in the region has ency. They offer a real-time developed strongly in recent display of economic health. If years and produced innovative we are confronted with the products and blockbuster proquestion of closure every now ductions. The largest compaand then, there is only one nies in the index are the Czech thing I can say: You don’t throw software company “AVAST” away a thermometer when it (antivirus program), one of the shows elevated temperature,” largest software companies in says Christoph Boschan. Europe “Asseco” and the PolThe Vienna Stock Exchange ish developer and publisher of views the health crisis surHeimo Scheuch, CEO of Wienerberger AG and Chairman of the Supervisory Board at computer games “CD Projekt” rounding Covid-19 as an opporWiener Börse AG (action role-playing games tunity to give private capital in “The Witcher” and “Cyberpunk”). The tradability of the index is Austria a more prominent role and to relieve the burden on nationguaranteed by selecting the companies with the highest turnover al budgets. Crisis recovery must be put on a broader footing. The in this sector; the index can be government programme alused as an underlying base for ready contains all the building financial products. blocks to activate more private “The Vienna Stock Exchange offers convincing Since 24 April, the Vienna capital for Austria. Consistent quality und new initiatives in a challenging comStock Exchange has been calregulatory modernisation and petitive setting.” culating the ROTX Total Rethe strengthening of economic turn. The Romanian dividend education in Austria are the Heimo Scheuch index was launched in response basis for the further developto the demand of international ment of the capital market. The market participants. It reflects the attractive dividend yields of the introduction of a retention period and thus a tax relief for long-term growth market Romania. stock ownership will make participation more attractive for the population. Changes in the quotation list “Companies will need equity capital for their recapitalisation In March, the Vienna Stock Exchange reviewed its Austrian stock when they tackle the crisis in autumn. In order for Austria’s indices applying the respective rules and regulations. Mayr-Melnhof economy to recover more quickly, the path taken by the governKarton AG, the world’s largest producer of coated recycled fiment before Corona must be continued swiftly. After the health bre-based cardboard, will replace the aircraft component manufaccrisis has been overcome, it is essential to secure the financial turer FACC AG in the Austrian leading index ATX. Mayr-Melnhof health and prosperity of all citizens in the long term,” Boschan AG exceeds FACC AG with regard to the size of the free float concluded.

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capitalisation. The shares of the cardboard manufacturer were last represented in the leading Austrian index almost continuously between 1994 and 2014. In the ATX Five, which comprises the five largest listed companies, BAWAG Group AG replaces voestalpine AG. The five largest companies on the Vienna Stock Exchange are: Erste Group Bank AG, OMV AG, Verbund AG, Raiffeisen Bank International AG and BAWAG Group AG. After a share buyback with a subsequent withdrawal of shares, the free float factor of BAWAG Group AG increases from 0.7 to 0.8. The free float factor of Marinomed Biotech AG increases from 0.5 to 0.6 after a major shareholder sold shares. The free float factor of S Immo AG falls from 0.7 to 0.6. The investors Pecik and Ketterer increased their holdings during a capital increase of S Immo AG in January. The free float factor expresses how many shares of a company are publicly held and influences how strongly a share is weighted in the index.

Photo: Wiener Börse

Vienna and Budapest continue to cooperate At the start of the year, the Budapest Stock Exchange and the Vienna Stock Exchange extended their cooperation agreement

until 2026. The agreement covers the provision of trading system services, market data distribution and the calculation of stock market indices. Both exchanges are already looking back on 15 years of successful cooperation. “We aim to provide modern and stable infrastructure and systems to our capital market participants. The Vienna Stock Exchange has proven to be a very reliable partner for this quest. We are pleased to continue our long-standing and well-established cooperation,” says István Máté-Tóth, Deputy CEO of the Budapest Stock Exchange. Vienna is equally delighted with the move: “By extending the agreement, the Budapest Stock Exchange has emphasised its trust in the reliability of our services. We are honoured to further provide high-quality services and top-notch technology to our partner,” says Ludwig Nießen, COO & CTO of Vienna Stock Exchange. The Vienna Stock Exchange cooperates with over ten exchanges throughout Central and Eastern Europe. It supplies technical infrastructure and services for five markets including Austria, Croatia, the Czech Republic, Hungary and Slovenia. In addition, it operates the central market data feed and calculates about 150 indices for the region. ◆

The Vienna Stock Exchange is a market data hub for 11 markets, 780 stocks, 3,868 bonds, 1,260 warrants, 5.034 certificates, 117 ETFs and more than 140 indices.

World Champion Austria Companies introduce themselves

Innovative, sustainable and safe

Business operations, research, technology and innovation need to be one thing first and foremost: safe and secure! TÜV AUSTRIA ensures safety and security as a leading testing, inspection and certification company in Austria and around the world, with branch offices in more than twenty countries. The group of companies offers industrial services, (laboratory) tests, supervision, certification, all aspects of data security and data protection, technical consulting, training and further education, and much more. And everything is being done as an independent third party, system-independent and solution-oriented. In addition to having expertise in the key areas of testing, inspection and certification, Austria’s only independent t echnical inspection agency is a technology and innovation partner for the industrial sector, for the manufacturing trade, for local authorities and institutions. TÜV AUSTRIA makes a significant contribution to mastering the challenges in the areas of safety, technology, the environment, quality and sustainability. Labs for functional safety and cybersecurity TÜV AUSTRIA is constantly expanding its digital solutions in order to offer its clients and partners the best-possible services and solutions. The relevant concepts are being developed at the

TÜV AUSTRIA Group TÜV AUSTRIA Group’s service spectrum 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 cybersecurity, Internet of Things, e-mobility, app checks, loss adjusting, construction engineering and facility management, calibrations, product tests, robotics, technical due diligence and compliance checks, as well as hygienics (air, soil, water, surfaces, rooms) and inspections of stage, photovoltaic and wind power facilities. www.tuvaustria.com

Foto: T ÜV AUSTRIA, AdobeStock, Marcel Schauer

Its connected solutions make TÜV AUSTRIA a strong partner for safety, technology, environment and quality. From development and implementation through to usage and operation. In Austria and all around the world.

TÜV AUSTRIA Campus in the Digital Acceleration Incubator Next Horizon, the forward-thinking laboratory of the Group for developing new ways of thinking in safety and security concepts for the fields of Industry 4.0, Internet of Things and Automated Driving. The TÜV AUSTRIA Technology & Innovation Center in Vienna houses a Safe Secure System Lab for testing cyberphysical systems in terms of functional safety and IT security. The interdisciplinary #SafeSecLab, a cooperation with the University of Technology Vienna, aims to help increase integrative safety and security. In Cologne, TÜV AUSTRIA additionally operates a laboratory for the security analysis of software and hardware architectures in IoT devices. It identifies conceptual weaknesses and room for improvement. The TÜV AUSTRIA Cybersecurity Lab in Malaysia, a jointventure with LGMS, a leading provider of IoT security services, opened at the start of the year and is a competence centre for cybersecurity tests and certifications for the entire Asian continent.

Expand market positions, develop new markets The latest acquisitions and equity holdings reflect the diversity and growth strategy of the TÜV AUSTRIA Group. Regional competencies are supplemented in order to enhance existing customer relationships horizontally. At the same time, the testing, inspection and certification service provider is increasingly integrating its solutions vertically. This is a significant advantage for companies with globally distributed production and development facilities, which TÜV AUSTRIA supports with testing, inspection and certification services regardless of location over the entire project life cycle. TÜV AUSTRIA has expanded its expertise in materials significantly with the integration of METALogic, the corrosion specialist at the University of Leuven in Belgium. In Turkey, TÜV AUSTRIA is the country’s largest industrial service provider in the field of technical safety and security with its subsidiaries TÜV AUSTRIA Sila Kalite, Eurocont Turkiye and TÜV AUSTRIA Personal Belgelendirme. This also offers access to the markets in Russia, Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan, Georgia and the Gulf region. With its specialised company TÜV AUSTRIA Mobility, the TÜV AUSTRIA Group is expanding its portfolio in Turkey in the field of international homologation of heavy-duty vehicles. Equipped with many years of experience, test stations and laboratories, TÜV AUSTRIA Mobility serves the vehicle development and production of international manufacturers with technical safety expertise right on site. The Moscow-based company TÜV AUSTRIA Standards & Compliance operates successfully on the Russian market and neighbouring markets in the fields of energy, aerospace, transportation, health, IT and data security. For example Kaspersky, the global leader in cybersecurity, trusts in the certification services of TÜV AUSTRIA. By acquiring the renowned company Innotec from O snabrück,

Foto: Andreas Ams¸ss

Foto: Eric Cruysweegs

Foto: Saskia Jonasch

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TÜV AUSTRIA strategically increased its testing and certification offer in functional safety in machine and plant construction in Germany. TÜV AUSTRIA also fortified its market leadership in export and import conformity certification. Being a reliable and customeroriented provider of GMAP services (Global Market Access Program), the Group is now ensuring legality and product quality for goods imported to / exported from Sudan, Saudi-Arabia, Egypt, Turkey, Canada and the United States. This is an important step for TÜV AUSTRIA in expanding a key service for the global market. With the integration of the Turin-based company Boreas, which operates successfully on the Italian market in the field of elevator technology and work equipment safety, TÜV AUSTRIA increases its portfolio in industrial services, materials technology, machine, plant and product safety, management system certification, third party checks as well as in training and further education in Liguria, Lombardy, Apulia and Tuscany. Strong partner during the global Covid lockdown TÜV AUSTRIA supported its clients during the lockdown in spring 2020 with a number of remote solutions such as materials testing and machine safety, IT security and data protection, online audits, online trainings, e-learning p rogrammes, safe elevator systems, quality assurance systems and the pandemic hygiene management systems “COVID Shield” and “V-Safe” in Austria, Belgium, Germany, Greece, Portugal, Romania, Spain and Turkey. Innovative, sustainable, safe The TÜV AUSTRIA Group assumes responsibility for clients, partners, staff and society with its connected services offer. This makes a substantial contribution to shaping a safer world.

World Champion Austria Logistics

“Air traffic is something that will always exist” This interview with Günther Ofner, CFO of Vienna Airport (Flughafen Wien AG), should have been all about excellent figures and future targets. But everything has changed now…

The Covid crisis has hit the aviation industry badly. How is Vienna Airport dealing with this situation? The Covid crisis had a massive effect on global aviation and therefore also the airport in Vienna. The rise in infections and travel restrictions in various countries led to a significant reduction in travel; airlines reduced their schedules drastically. In the first few months of the crisis air traffic at the Vienna Airport came almost completely to a halt. Since mid-June 2020 we have seen a slight increase in passenger numbers but overall, we are clearly behind last year’s levels. Vienna Airport’s staff is on a short-time work scheme and major investments have been pushed back. The new Office Park 4 and the renovation of Terminal 2 will be finished though.

The global dimension of the Covid crisis is unique in the history of aviation. Almost every country in the world has recorded infections, which results in national travel restrictions and less travelling. But the coronavirus will stay with us for a while and therefore we need uniform travel regulations, in particular for entry into the European Union, in order to revive international business and holiday trips. Without functioning international air travel, the crisis will take hold longer. This does not only apply to tourism and conferences but also to large parts of the economy and the industry. If an economy that depends so strongly on exports as Austria’s is not present on the international markets, there won’t be any new orders and thus no work in future.

Photo: Flughafen Wien AG

he year 2020 started really well; Vienna Airport recorded great figures. 2019 had mainly seen a strong growth in passengers: The Vienna Airport Group (including the airports Kosice and Malta), served 39.5 million passengers (+15 percent). The airport in Vienna itself surpassed the old record of 2018 with 31.7 million travellers (+17.1 percent). The Vienna Airport Group expected a slowdown in 2020 but remained optimistic, believing in a passenger growth of three to four percent and increases in turnover, EBITDA and the net result. For the airport in Vienna, a passenger growth of three to five percent was projected. This had resulted in no further slots being available at peak times from 2020 onwards, which in turn would have allowed only for limited further growth. But then the Covid crisis took hold and everything changed… Terminals, usually full of travellers, remained deserted all over the world. Entire airline fleets stayed on the ground. A horror scenario for any airport. With this backdrop, we met Günter Ofner, CFO of the Vienna Airport Group, for an interview.

Günter Ofner, CFO of the Vienna Airport Group

Photo: Flughafen Wien AG

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Vienna Airport: At the moment the idea is to remain a hub between East and West but the future of global air travel remains unclear.

At Vienna Airport we have tackled the current situation and took a number of measures to protect travellers and staff. It is compulsory to wear a mask at the terminals and to keep a minimum distance. All check-in, information and service desks have been equipped with Plexiglas, there are numerous disinfectant dispensers and all passengers can take a PCR test right at the airport. This offer made Vienna Airport a global trailblazer. How will the Covid crisis change air travel? The crisis actually showed that nothing works without aviation Functioning air traffic is essential for a country’s security of supply. At the height of the Covid crisis, every day aeroplanes with medical supplies such as masks, protective clothing and gloves arrived at Vienna Airport. No other mode of transport is able to move such large amounts of urgently needed goods from one place to another in such a short amount of time.

Therefore, air traffic is something that will always exist. And even if it will take a little longer, it will grow more than ever before. Plant manufacturers won’t sell their power plants via video calls and 80 percent of the world’s population has never been on an aeroplane. An economy such as Austria’s, whose gross domestic product depends up to 60 percent on exports, needs good international traffic connections and tourism will continue to grow just like it did before the crisis. The regions around the airport, particularly in Eastern Europe, are growing fast and will ensure further business for Vienna as a “local” airport. What does this mean in terms of logistics? In order to safeguard the security of supply for Austria, Vienna Airport has been continuously in operation during the entire Covid crisis. Every day, cargo planes and planes of Austrian Airlines brought in urgently needed medical supplies to Vienna that were

World Champion Austria Logistics

needed at hospitals and relief organisations. Our apron teams have been working hard around the clock to ensure that these goods could be forwarded quickly. Quick processes, efficient cargo handling and a good cooperation with the authorities ensure efficient cargo clearance. The cargo volume is currently below last year’s level due to the crisis but in the long run air cargo will be back – and we are ready: Our Pharma Handling Center ensures quick handling of temperature-sensitive goods without interrupting the cold chain and our Air Cargo Center offers enough capacity for efficient cargo handling. Are they in demand? Many companies like these advantages: DHL built a logistics campus close to the airport, Kühne & Nagel moved its headquarters to the Airport City right at the airport and with Makita and Cargo Partner a Japanese toolmaker and a logistics partner settled next to the airport. The advantages of having a business site at Vienna Airport are obvious. Logistics companies are connected directly to the important modes of transport, air, road and railways. They benefit from the airport organisation’s high level of service and the

Investments by and at Vienna Airport The first half of 2020 saw investments of 39.2 million euros and these were the largest: c Renovating the terminal: 12.5 mln euros c Footbridge to Carpark 3: 2 mln euros c Properties: 2 mln euros c Aircraft tugs: 1.3 mln euros c Passenger buses: 1.2 mln euros c Office Park 4: 1.2 mln euros c New advertising spaces: 1.1 mln euros c Airport Malta, an associated company abroad of Vienna Airport Group: 5.5 mln euros total The planned investments for 2020 will be reduced to under 100 million euros according to Vienna Airport’s business report. Office Park 4 and Terminal 2 will be finished, all other building projects such as the expansion to the South and the renovation of Pier East have been postponed.

Airport City offers shops, health care and social facilities such as a kindergarten, a gym, a health care centre, hotels and restaurants. Speaking of which – how is the Airport City doing? The Airport City has become a modern and multi-functional site over the years; a number of companies have settled there. We recently added the Office Park 4 with 26,000 square metres of office and conference space, offering a completely new and state-of-theart working environment. It is located right at the centre of the Airport City and offers the perfect working environment for small and large businesses, from start-ups to international headquarters. There are co-working spaces, state-of-the-art event and conference areas, a kindergarten and modern office spaces available. A new footbridge connects the Office Park 4 with Carpark 3 and the terminal building. Austria’s largest LED advertising space is attached to the bridge, clearly visible to anyone coming to the airport. Companies such as Huawei and Magenta already use this 180 sqm big screen for their adverts. How dependent is Vienna Airport on the good state and even the existence of Austrian Airlines? Austrian Airlines is the largest airline at Vienna Airport, 50 percent of our passengers fly with Austria’s home carrier. The airline is operating a hub in Vienna, meaning that it transports passengers from other countries all around the world. Thanks to this, a number of cities and regions can by visited by plane from Vienna which otherwise would have no connection by air. Long-haul traffic in particular needs such feeder flights to ensure flying at full capacity. Without short-haul flights there would be no long-haul flights. And Austria’s entire economy and tourism sector would suffer without them. Companies need the direct access to their markets, the export economy needs efficient international flight connections and the Austrian tourism sector profits from travellers that come both from Europe or via intercontinental flights. About 26,000 people in 230 businesses work at Vienna Airport. Overall, air travel safeguards 80,000 jobs in Austria. Austrian Airlines and all other airlines, their staff and their networks are both a direct and an indirect driver. Are air traffic and climate protection a contradiction? No, because air traffic contributes only in part to global emissions and can help solve the problem with innovations. Air traffic is only responsible for about two percent of CO2 emissions globally, for 0.52

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sqm of solar panels at the airport. The airport’s car pool keeps switching to electric vehicles. Energy-efficient LED technology is used for numerous lighting systems and we are working on several other environment-friendly measures. The largest potential for the reduction of CO2 emissions come from alternative fuels. These fuels only emit as much CO2 as was needed for their production. There is a lot of research on this and Europe could become a trailblazer in this field. A common European airspace, the so-called Single European Sky, could contribute significantly to reducing CO2 emissions as flight routes would become shorter and thus fuel consumptions goes down. ◆

Photo: Flughafen Wien AG

percent in Europe and only 0.16 percent in Austria. The entire sector is aware of its responsibilities and is the only sector in the world that has committed to international climate and reduction targets. The programme Corsia, for example, aims for CO2-neutral growth from 2020 onwards, the CO2 emissions need to be reduced by 50 percent by 2050 and the aviation sector is compensating for its CO2 emissions by buying certificates. Vienna Airport has already achieved much in this regard: CO2 emissions went down by 70 percent and the energy consumption by 40 percent since 2012. The new Office Park 4 is Austria’s most sustainable office building. There are seven solar power systems with about 16,000

“Air traffic is something that will always exist,” says Vienna Airport’s CFO Günther Ofner. He also believes that Vienna Airport will recover soon.

World Champion Austria Logistics

More companies are putting their trust in railways More and more goods want to be transported from A to B in a climate-neutral way with service-oriented processes.

train. Rola has particular significance in regions such as Tyrol, which are highly affected by road traffic: Every year about 2.4 million HGVs drive on Tyrol’s roads, and the figures are pointing upwards. In 2019, ÖBB moved 151,274 HGVs from the road onto rail tracks, thereof 124,873 on the leg Wörgl-Brenner and 9,162 on the leg Wörgl-Trento alone. The gross capacity on the Brenner Pass was 206,000 HGVs per year at the start of 2019; as of early 2020 this figure rose to 250,000 with Rola. The Rail Cargo Group wants to ultimately increase this number to 400,000 HGVs per year, which would be double as much as only two years ago. The increased need for Rola also stems from the partial driving ban for HGV’s in Tyrol, which came into effect on 1 January 2020. In only a short amount of time, the Rail Cargo Group saw demand shoot up by about 32 percent. From 1 January to February 2019 Rola transported 16,165 HGVs; in the same period 2020 there were already 21,934 HGVs on the Brenner Pass. When you are looking at only the first two weeks in February, the year-on-year increase is at 40 percent. With its 200,000 transported HGVs per year the Rail Cargo Group is the European leader in Rolling Road offers. Rail Cargo Austria has more to offer than just Rolling Roads; we spoke to Clemens Först, spokesman of the Board, about the future of freight transport. Clemens Först, spokesman of the Board of Rail Cargo Austria

Rolling Road European land freight transport continues to grow quickly but unfortunately mainly on roads. ÖBB is working to transfer freight transport onto rails. One of many such initiatives is the “Rolling Road” (“Rollende Landstraße” or Rola in short). This particular transport system allows entire heavy goods vehicles – trailers and trucks – to take parts of their route via

Photo: RCG/Scheiblecker

he constant further development of the overall system of mobility, logistics and infrastructure plays a central role within the Austrian Federal Railways ÖBB, its annual report 2019 states. The focus within this context is on customer’s benefit and increasing capacity, productivity and quality. ÖBB is aware of its important role as a driver of innovation in the Austrian railways industry and the entire mobility sector. Its operations go along the corporation’s strategic goals, current trends and future needs. Technological key aspects include automation, alternative drivetrains, generating new services for customers and implementing new processes, particularly those backed by data. This concerns the railway business in general. In freight transport, ÖBB is already developing smart innovative logistics solutions of tomorrow. The Rail Cargo Group, ÖBB’s internationally operating freight transport subsidy, is now on the way to a bright future with a digitisation programme.

Photos: David Payr

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The Rail Cargo Group is among Europe’s leading railway logistics service provider and links European conurbations and ports with prospering economic centres on the Eurasian continent.

Rail Cargo Group once more achieved a top position in European rail freight transport in 2019 with 105 net tonnes of goods transported. The Rail Cargo Group therefore remains one of the Europe’s largest rail freight transport companies with Rail Cargo Austria and Rail Cargo Hungary being the respective market leaders. What are your plans for 2021 – are you planning any investments and if yes, which? Our highest priority is currently – and probably in 2021 too – to survive the Covid crisis. This is a challenge the entire rail freight transport sector is facing. Despite its relevance for solving the climate crisis – over the next ten years there is no alternative to railways in terms of sustainable land transport – policy makers have not really supported the sector. There has been a massive slump in the number of transported goods and thus in turnover and still the Rail Cargo Group kept its single wagonload network, which is of major importance to the Austrian economy, up and running during the crisis. Therefore, we go by the credo “survive the future without selling it” in rail freight transport. That means we want to keep a positive balance sheet in freight transport and make necessary investment for the future despite the pressure to produce results.

How does digitisation affect freight transport? Which trends are there? We are seeing a rapid transformation of the rail freight transport market in the medium term: More and more small and medium-sized companies are turning to environmentally sustainable railway transport. Compared to our industrial customers who have been using trains for decades, this type of customer needs simple access to railway transport and ways to ship small consignments, e.g. in single wagons. Which services does the Rail Cargo Group offer digitally? When it comes to digitisation, we are working hard to transform railway transport. Our goal it to automatise processes, to make them easier and quicker, and to replace complicated and expensive analogue processes with digital solutions to improve costs, transparency and efficiency. For this, we need quick-thinking teams that are flexible and forward-looking. When it comes to innovations, we are equipping our wagons with the latest telematics and sensor technology, for example, such as our latest invention TransANT. We are also pushing the digital automatic coupling system DAK across the whole of Europe.

World Champion Austria Logistics

Any news from the Silk Road project? We have been working on the Silk Road across all routes since 2017. We are contributing significantly to the further development of the Austrian export trade by pushing our transport business with China. Growth in China is decisive for the growth of freight transport in

Leading railway logistics from Europe to Asia With 9,340 employees, subsidiaries throughout Europe and an annual turnover of 2.3 billion euros, the Rail Cargo Group ranks among Europe‘s leading rail logistics companies. With its partners, the Rail Cargo Group operates a comprehensive end-to-end logistics network and links European conurbations and ports with prospering economic centres in Russia, Turkey and China. The operative head company of the Rail Cargo Group is Rail Cargo Austria AG. In 2019, the Rail Cargo Group… c ... recorded total revenues of 2,372.7 mln euros with an EBT of 5.1 mln euros c ... invested 140.1 mln euros into fleet and digitisation (2018: 79.1 mln euros) c ... transported 105.3 mln tonnes of goods c ... moved 151,274 HGVs from roads onto rails with the Rolling Road, thereof 124,873 on the leg Wörgl-Brenner and 23,942 on the leg Wels-Maribor www.railcargo.com

Photo: ÖBB/Mühlanger

Speaking of telematics – what is the Rail Cargo project “Atlas” about? “Atlas” is a platform to process telematics data from SmartCargo. SmartCargo is a telematics solution that we developed with telecommunications provider A1 to control our wagons by GPS. It is a giant step towards smart freight trains. These telematics in our wagons offer our customers new services and ensure a much improved and more efficient wagon coordination. An IT platform provides all information on a specific transport in a clear and compact way.

Rola is transporting more and more HGVs across the Brenner Pass.

Europe and Asia. We are the leading provider at the connection to Piraeus. We processed 280 block trains in 2017, 500 in 2018 and 625 in 2019. But we are also trailblazers in the continental Southern route through Turkey into Iran, the Caucasus region and Central Asia. Over the last few months, we expanded our role as a hub operator in Budapest and Vienna for transport to Asia and we finished the link-up to the entire intermodal network of the Rail Cargo Group. We are increasing the weekly connections over the next few months step by step. How can a logistics operator such as Rail Cargo improve its climate targets? Freight transport on rails emits 44 times less CO2 than freight transport on roads. Our rail freight transport services save together with our partners about one million tonnes of CO2 per year. In addition, our electricity in Austria is 100 percent green thanks to renewable energies, our energy consumption is six times less while keeping a high performance, our noise pollution is three times less and our air pollution is eight times less – all factors for better environmental protection. We therefore strive to move more traffic onto rails. And businesses that switch the freight transport onto rails help to meet climate targets. We are able to tell exactly how much each transport contributes to saving the environment and can cal-

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culate for each customer how much energy their transports need and how much they emit.

Photo: David Payr

What is the Rail Cargo Group doing to protect the climate? Austria but also Europe wouldn’t be able to meet its climate and environmental targets without the Rail Cargo Group. We will improve the air quality, reduce noise and traffic jams and increase mobility if future transportation is being done in a far more climate-friendly and healthy way. Rail freight transport is a good answer to all questions regarding climate change. The transport sector is one of the biggest polluters with CO2 and the driver of the greenhouse effect. It is our goal to get the increased traffic off the roads and onto rails. We want to increase the modal share of rail freight transport in Europe by 30 percent by 2030.

Which challenges do you expect in the years to come for rail freight transport? How is the Rail Cargo Group going to deal with them? Rail freight transport was hit hard by the Covid crisis and we are still facing a fluctuating order volume. But we are keeping our resources ready to quickly meet increasing demand. In addition, there is already the tremendous pricing pressure from road freight transport. If we do not implement EU-wide measures such as reducing rail tolls we are risking a switch back to more HGV traffic. This would have a huge impact on reaching Austria’s and Europe’s climate targets. We are also investing heavily into our internal and external communication to keep up our security of supply. ◆

It is not possible to transport goods more environmentally-friendly: The Rail Cargo Group uses 100 percent green electricity from renewable energies in Austria.

World Champion Austria Companies introduce themselves

Key account for the industrial sector and businesses The experts at Section IV of the Federal Ministry of Agriculture, Regions and Tourism (BMLRT) are the port of call for the fields telecommunications, postal services and mining, and therefore constantly serving Austria’s basic industry. “From raw materials to the final product combining sustainability and competitiveness” – that’s the premise for location policies for the basic industry at Section IV of the Federal Ministry of Agriculture, Regions and Tourism (BMLRT). Maximum service orientation for the basic industry aims to help the industry’s access to administrative procedures. But what access are we talking about? And access to which administrative procedures? Section IV not only encompasses telecommunications and postal services but also digitisation projects and the basic industry with the subgroups industrial policies, technology transfer as well as the EU, competitiveness and

Section IV – Telecommunications, Postal Services and Mining

c Executive Department “Security Research and Technology Transfer” c Postal services and telecommunications

global positioning. To be a bit more precise, Section IV does not only deal with digitisation in terms of broadband communication, Internet of Things, e-commerce, smart homes, Industry 4.0 and 5G but also with industrial minerals such as magnesite, energy and building raw materials as well as ores, fighting cybercrime and much more. At first glance, all of this does not necessarily fit together but they are things that offer tremendous possibilities to the industrial sector: Section IV serves as an active interface between professional associations and the industrial sector, accompanying industrial transformation processes such as challenges in energy policies, general environmental issues, environmental impact assessments and financial subsidies (IPCEI Important Projects of Common European Interest). Section IV also cooperates with other sections, even across different ministries, to offer specific support.

Department for Basic Agendas of Postal Services and Telecommunications Department for Law – Postal Services and Telecommunications Department for Technology – Postal Services and Telecommunications Executive Department “Information and Communication Infrastructure”

c Mining Department for Mining – Legal Matters Department for Mineral Resources Policies Department for Mining – Technology and Safety Mining Authority West (+ branch office Salzburg) Mining Authority South (+ branch office Leoben) Mining Authority East

Mining is part of everything Mining shows perfectly how much Section IV is involved in everyday life. Did you know that… c …every Austrian needs about twelve tonnes of mineral resources per year or 33 kilogrammes per day? c …every year 100 million tonnes of mineral resources are mined? c ` ...Austria is home to one of the Western world’s largest tungsten deposits in Mittersill (Salzburg)? c …Austria is the eight largest producer of tungsten in the world? c …tungsten can be found in almost every smartphone and tool? c …Austria is home to Central Europe’s largest talc deposits in Rabenwald (Styria)? c …Austria is the thirteenth biggest producer of talc in the world? c… soap contains talc to improve its lather? c… talc serves as an anti-corrosive in car paint? c …one of the world’s largest underground mining operations for magnesite can be found in Austrian Breitenau (Styria)?

Photo: BMLRT/ Alexander Haiden

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The epitome of Austrian mining: The Erzberg mine in Styria, Central Europe’s biggest and most modern surface mining operation. Annual stoping amounts to about twelve million tonnes.

c …Austria is the fifth largest producer of magnesite in the world? c …iron mica from Carinthia is used in antirust coating all around the world, from the Bosporus Bridge in Turkey to the Sydney Harbour Bridge? Almost everything that we need to everyday life consists of mineral resources that come from mining. Austria is among the leading producers in the world when it comes to certain raw materials such as tungsten and magnesite. The Broadband Office In early 2013, Section IV established the Broadband Office as a coordination and service point for communities, provinces and providers, helping to further the broadband expansion in Austria while lowering the construction costs. The Broadband Office developed a feasibility and rough costs analysis for communities to provide technical and financial help when planning expansion projects. This analysis uses geographic information systems and offers high resolution 3D visualis-

ations of possible broadband expansion scenarios. Numerous communities have already taken advantage of this analysis as the basis for their decision on expansion projects. The Broadband Office also offers important social services such as free postage for blind and visually impaired people or telecommunications fee subsidies for disadvantaged people. Section IV – added value for the industrial sector Over the next few pages, Section IV would like to present a few real-life examples of its various departments and their work. We will explain why high-performance data networks and a stable communications infrastructure are essential for our future; where specialists develop Austrian raw materials strategies, supporting the industrial sector in the long-run; how innovative ideas and digitisation help regional projects e.g. on artificial intelligence or flood protection. There is a glimpse into Austria’s security provision and the importance of technology transfers. But no matter which department we talk about – they all serve the industrial sector and therefore Austria.

World Champion Austria Companies introduce themselves

High-performance data networks for the future of our country Our stable communication infrastructure is the basis for almost our entire social lives. Until recently we considered unlimited communication a matter of course. But since the outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic, awareness for the significance of a resilient, nationwide high-performance communication infrastructure has risen. Securing critical infrastructure for businesses, the country’s administration and our society are necessary for overcoming crises. This includes stable telephone networks, high-performance data networks and reliable postal services.

is possible to a certain extent. And last but not least, streaming services, online games, video calls and social media offer us entertainment and allow us to stay in touch with family members and friends to keep up our personal relations.

Working, studying, shopping, playing – all online In many jobs work can be done no matter where you are. Children, youths and students can study wherever they are thanks to digital platforms. Online shops make the delivery of food and drugs possible even during quarantine. Even seeing your doctor online

Pre-Covid increase The current situation has of course led to a massive increase in internet use. The traffic of mobile networks already went through the roof over the last few years. In 2019, 1.9 billion gigabytes of data were transferred. This is 27 times as much as in 2012. And this trend increased over the last few weeks, of course. Since the lockdown, we also saw a comeback of classic telephony. People are making more and longer calls.

Development of call minutes Q2 2017 – Q1 2020

Development of sent SMS Q2 2017 – Q1 2020

j minutes mobile networks x 1,000,000 j minutes landlines x 1,000,000

j sent SMS x 1,000,000

The Covid-related lockdown in mid-March was particularly noticeable in telecommunications: Austrians spent 6,562 million minutes on their mobile phones and 544 million minutes on their landlines in the first quarter of 2020. That’s 14 percent or 886 million minutes more than in the fourth quarter of 2019. Mobile telephony had the lion’s share. The number of SMS continued to fall, however – minus 9 percent in the first quarter of 2020 compared to the previous quarter.

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Development of broadband access Q1 2018 – Q1 2020

Development of upload/download traffic Q1 2018 – Q1 2020

Broadband accesses x 1,000

Upload/download traffic in petabyte

j mobile networks

j landlines

j mobile broadband

j wired broadband

The number of broadband accesses went up slightly in the last two years. Compared to the previous quarter, the first quarter of 2020 saw landline traffic increase by 135 petabyte to 1,133 petabyte and by 73 petabyte to 603 petabyte over mobile networks. This also corresponds to an increase of 14 percent. A further increase is expected for the second quarter of 2020 due to the ongoing Covid crisis.

Digital leader of innovation The communication infrastructure is the indispensable backbone of Austria’s future development. Austria will only be able to keep its business model and social model as a competitive leader of innovation if there is a solid communication infrastructure. It will secure a level playing field and social security through innovative and productive businesses and jobs. Regions benefit from the broadband expansion Fast internet contributes to a level playing field between urban and rural areas. “High-speed data connections gain more and more in significance both in conurbations and the countryside,” says Andreas Reichhardt, Head of the Department for Postal Service & Telecommunications. “This is essential for people. A fast internet connection is not only a prerequisite for the Internet of Things, it also helps fighting the depopulation of rural areas.” Staying on top In order to secure wealth, jobs and quality of life in the long term, the Austrian government aims to become a leading digital nation within the European Union. “Austria wants to secure and expand its cutting edge both in mobile communication and the

availability of physical internet access,” Reichhardt explains. In terms of the communication infrastructure, which is the basis of digitisation, the target is to provide nationwide internet access with gigabit speeds by 2030. The Broadband Billion Austria set up the initiative Broadband Austria 2020 in 2015, providing one billion euros in subsidies for the nationwide expansion of the communication infrastructure – the so-called Broadband Billion. This money supports the expansion of both fixed and mobile broadband access significantly. The Broadband Atlas (www.breitbandatlas.at) shows not only the up-to-date coverage with broadband access but also where the expansion is currently taking place. Faster internet thanks to 5G Due to the increased internet traffic the need to expand 5G coverage has become a hot topic. By early June 2020, there were 695 transmitting stations in 195 Austrian communities. Most are located in Vienna, the provincial capitals and district capitals. The 5G coverage in rural areas will improve strongly with the increased expansion and auctioning of new frequencies.

World Champion Austria Companies introduce themselves

The strategists at BMLRT’s Section IV are supporting the industrial sector Turning raw materials into the final product is being done in a sustainable and competitive way thanks to the BMLRT’s specialists. Being the contact partner for the heavy industry and the basic industry, Section IV of the Federal Ministry of Agriculture, Regions and Tourism (BMLRT) supports businesses with their digitisation projects, helps with technology transfers for the export markets, links companies and universities and coordinates industrial issues on a European level. Climate neutrality, decarbonisation and IPCEI The decarbonisation of the industrial sector is a central part of Section IV’s work, trying to push it with innovative approaches. They are helped by the European Commission’s plan to keep value-added chains in Europe and to expand them as part of the so-called Important Projects of Common European Interest (IPCEI). It is an instrument of industrial policy to strengthen European competitiveness, dealing with issues such as hydrogen or low CO2 emissions. It is a cornerstone of climate-neutral economies within the EU’s member states.

Contact for industrial partners

Contact for Mining

Andreas Weber

Thomas Spörker

Federal Ministry of Agriculture,

Regions and Tourism

Section IV – Department for Telecom-

Department IV/6:

munications, Postal Services and Mining

Mining – Technology and Safety

+43 6642645017

43 1 71100 608540

Radetzkystraße 2, 1030 Vienna

Denisgasse 31, 1200 Vienna

+43 1 711 62-653201

thomas.spoerker@bmlrt.gv.at

andreas.weber@bmlrt.gv.at

www.bmlrt.gv.at

Wealth and challenges With a share of 25 percent of the gross domestic product and 1.3 million employees, the raw materials and basic industry makes a significant contribution to Austria’s wealth. Unforeseen events, surges in raw materials demand due to new technologies and the dependency on raw materials from unstable countries are only some of the challenges that Austrian industrial companies are faced with. Austrian raw materials strategy The new Austrian Raw Materials Strategy is the basis for an industrial and location policy for raw materials producing and processing companies, and also for industrial sector’s added value. It aims to improve Austria’s resilience against supply risks. Based on the European Raw Materials Initiative, the Austrian Raw Materials Strategy rests on three pillars. The model encompasses the sustainable supply from domestic sources, the sustainable supply from international supply chains and smart production, i.e. the connectivity of the entire production chain within the Industry 4.0 initiative. In addition, all of these three pillars deal with the topics digitisation, education and acceptancy, research and development, dialogue, foresight policy and environment analysis. International opportunities For years, Austria has had a great reputation when it comes to technology and innovation. This also applies to the global production of mineral resources. In addition to magnesite, tungsten and talcum, Austria also has significant resources of lithium, among other minerals, which is gaining strongly in importance due to international demand. It is one of the BMLRT’s foremost goals to secure such potentials with specific measures and an efficient cooperation with companies in order to put Austria in a strong position internationally.

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KIRAS and FORTE for security from all sides Austria isn’t a safe country just like that. The programmes KIRAS and FORTE play a major role in our security.

Foto: BMLRT

The year 2020 was full of major events and catastrophes – from the Australian wildfires to the global Covid-19 pandemic and all the problems and restrictions that came with it. And then there were massive riots and clashes between protestors and police due to socio-political tensions. In order to keep Austria prepared as well as possible for such threats and other types of crises and catastrophes, the BMLRT has been subsidising research projects since 2005, within the civil security research programme KIRAS and the defence research programme FORTE, which protects Austria from all sides. Every year, the Ministry provides 14 million euros to research innovative solutions. Security at a glance Annual budget: 14 mln euros Subsidies for research facilities and businesses KIRAS

FORTE

Civil security research 9 mln euros www.kiras.at

Defence research 5 mln euros www.forte-bmvit.at

Head of programme: Federal Ministry of Agriculture, Regions and Tourism Programme implementation: Austrian Research Promotion Agency FFG Call for tenders 2020: October 2020 to February 2021 Average project subsidy: 200,000 euros to 500,000 euros (max. 85 % of project costs) Project length: max. 3 years Technology readiness level: 4-6 Contact: Executive Department “Security Research and Technology Transfer” E-Mail: stabst.sifo-tt@bmlrt.gv.at

Making Austria even safer This research helps to create the basis for applications that make Austria safer and increase the overall sense of security in the population. It helps make the work of first responders and emergency personnel easier. It secures the population’s supply with essential products. It also protects the critical infrastructure from cyberattacks and other forms of threat. This research also includes projects with a humanistic, social or cultural focus to tackle modern issues such as online hate speech or violent political radicalisation. The success of these research results can be measured by their implementation. The products and services that stem from KIRAS and FORTE can play a major role in overcoming a crisis, returning to normality after a crisis or maybe even preventing a crisis. This is also highly relevant for Austria as a business location. The added value from research can be increased significantly as model users from Austria implement the solutions and thus export and market Austrian products via a technology transfer all over the world. This, in turn, secures and creates jobs and employment. The subsidies from KIRAS and FORTE are available to all researchers and businesses that want to tackle tomorrow’s challenges in terms of security policy with their innovative ideas.

World Champion Austria Companies introduce themselves

Technology transfer – the move from theory to practice In the 21st century technology, research and development are everywhere and indispensable. In the 21st century technology, research and development are everywhere and indispensable. But technology only makes sense if there is a use for it. The monies invested into research and development only become economically sustainable if they result in marketable products and services. Austrian businesses are world market leaders in many areas, in particular in niche sectors. High-tech from Austria is based on quality, tailor-made solutions and experience. These are without a doubt crucial criteria in the competition for international projects.

Technology transfer in short The Department for Security Research and Technology Transfer supports Austrian businesses in their operations in selected target countries with these measures: c Creating a direct contact to decision makers c Supporting the search for project partners c Simplifying communication and optimising processes by coordinating work groups and project lists c Increasing chances at international tenders by early access to projects c Increasing the project security by direct bilateral mediation mechanisms The Department operates in these fields of technology: c Basic industry c Mining c Circular economy c Energy c Telecommunications c Digitisation c Security and defence c Agriculture c Timber industry Department for Security Research and Technology Transfer at the BMLRT E-Mail: stabst.sifo-tt@bmlrt.gv.at

Photo: pixabay

This is how technology transfer works The task of commercial international technology transfer is to increase the share of Austrian technologies in exports in order to secure or create jobs. It also aims to secure the Austrian economy, industry and tourism, and to highlight the excellence of Austrian high-tech. Technology transfer only works as a bilateral initiative of the Republic of Austria and the respective target country that

needs technology we already use. A cooperation between the BMLRT and a partner ministry in the target country comes into effect through institutional instruments such as bilateral cooperation treaties. An essential part of these cooperation treaties is drawing up specific project lists, having regular bilateral work groups and appointing project coordinators as well as having strategic (raw material) partnerships and regional cooperation. Target countries for the BMLRT’s technology transfer activities are in particular emerging markets with a high economic growth such as the BRICS countries (Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa), former Soviet Republics, South East Asia etc. These countries have a desire to expand and modernise their infrastructure. Generally, the Department for Security Research and Technology Transfer gets involved wherever the Austrian industrial sector needs it.

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Innovation Farming – the digitisation of farms The BMLRT loves innovations in agriculture but also in regional projects such as artificial intelligence in flood protection.

Photo: BMLRT

The initiative Regional Innovation Systems (RIS) of the Federal Ministry of Agriculture, Regions and Tourism (BMLRT) is looking for new ways to make the administration ready for the 21st century. March 2020 saw the establishment of the new team RIS as part of the Department for Strategy and Data Analysis of the Austrian Research Promotion Agency FFG. RIS is co-financed by the BMLRT and aims foremost to implement digitisation and innovation projects in regional environments, to do community management and to create and implement promotion initiatives. The BMLRT wants to support administrative authorities with digital applications and thus also help businesses and citizens. Examples of RIS projects c Artificial Intelligence for nationwide flood risk monitoring: Anticipate flooding as early as possible with the help of AI and sensors in order to prepare in time and begin evacuations c Determine irrigated land via satellite data: Developing a method to identify irrigated agricultural land (test region Marchfeld) with the help of constant high-resolution satellite data for land use and land cover. Digitisation model project Innovation Farm The Innovation Farm makes a major contribution to making agriculture ready for the future. New technologies are tested for practical use in particular in the fields of farming, grassland and husbandry. This is a valuable step in further developing the Austrian agricultural sector. The project was planned for a long time and initiated by Heinrich Prankl, Head of Research & Innovation at the Federal Teach-

ing and Research Institute Francisco Josephinum and Managing Director of Josephinum Research. Prankl’s know-how ranges from sensor technology and agro-mechatronics to data and information management technologies (precision farming, smart farming, Agriculture 4.0). The fundamental goal of the Innovation Farm is to carve out new technological solutions for the Austrian agricultural sector and to make access to new developments easier for farmers. The Innovation Farm is therefore tasked with testing, optimising and conveying the latest technological developments, products and concepts both indoors (animal husbandry) and outdoors (farming, grassland). The BMLRT subsidises the Innovation Farm as part of the Cluster “Digitisation in Agriculture”. Twenty pilot and demonstration operations at three sites in Austria are currently in use. New developments and training offers are carved out in close cooperation with businesses and educational institutes: c Francisco Josephinum, Wieselburg (farming and grassland) c Bildungswerkstatt Mold (farming) c Research & Development Raumberg Gumpenstein (animal husbandry and grassland)

AUSTRIAN SHOWCASE COMPANIES

At the heart of building technology

Prefa, the roof as strong as a bull.

The HERZ Group with its 3,300 employees and 36 production sites across Europe is one the most renowned 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 tanks up to 20,000 kW and heat pumps.

Prefa Aluminiumprodukte GmbH has been successfully developing, producing and marketing roof and façade systems from aluminium across Europe for more than 70 years. In total, the Prefa Group employs 500 people. The production of more than 5,000 different premium products takes place exclusively in Austria and Germany. Prefa is part of the group of companies belonging to the industrialist Cornelius Grupp, which employs more than 8,000 people at more than 40 production sites all around the world.

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 maximum customer satisfaction. HERZ, founded in 1896 and headquartered in Vienna, is active in more than 100 countries with its products.

Herz Armaturen GmbH

Prefa Aluminiumprodukte GmbH

Richard-Strauss-Straße 22 · A-1230 Vienna Tel.: +43 (0) 1 616 26 31-0 | Mail: office@herz.eu · Web: www.herz.eu

Werkstraße 1 | 3180 Marktl/Lilienfeld | Austria +43 2762 502 0 | office.at@prefa.com | www.prefa.com

SAATBAU LINZ is the biggest cooperative organisation for plant breeding and seed multiplication in Austria. About 3,200 farmers are the members and owners of the cooperative. The portfolio includes more than 400 varieties of about 85 crops for conventional and organic farming. Around half of it is produced from own seed multiplications.

Kraus & Naimer is a manufacturer of electrical switchgear and was founded in Vienna in 1907. The company´s logo is the Greek letter phi. Kraus & Naimer is a supplier of various switchgear for industrial customers in the fields of transport (railways, vehicles, ships, etc.), conveyor systems, lift systems, mechanical engineering, and power generation and power distribution systems.

70 years after its formation SAATBAU LINZ is operating internationally and sells high-quality seeds worldwide in about 35 countries. Since 1994, SAATBAU LINZ has been actively involved in contract farming and established itself as a reliable partner for the national and international food industry and as Austria’s biggest organic trading company.

The family-run company is the world market leader in the field of cam switches and operates a global production and distribution network with some 900 people worldwide.

Saatbau Linz eGen Schirmerstraße 19 4060 Leonding | Austria +43 732 389 00-0 office@saatbau.com www.saatbau.com

Kraus & Naimer Produktion GmbH Schumanngasse 39 | 1180 Vienna | Austria +43 1 404 06 0 | sales-at@krausnaimer.com | www.krausnaimer.com

AUSTRIAN SHOWCASE COMPANIES

Carbides and tools from Boehlerit, headquartered in Kapfenberg, are the pacesetters for new standards in the machining of metal, wood, synthetic and composite materials. Reliable and efficient processes are ensured worldwide with cutting materials, semi-finished products, precision tools and tooling systems for milling, turning, drilling and forming. The comprehensive Boehlerit product range includes highly specialised tools for crankshaft machining, tube and pipe machining, bar peeling and heavy-duty machining operations in the steel industry. Further Boehlerit strengths include carbides for structural components and for wear-protection. In coating technology, Boehlerit achieved a world first and unique positioning globally with its Nano CVD bonding layer through to the hardest diamond coatings. Added to this, Boehlerit is the expert development partner for toolmakers with its unrivalled know-how and many years of mastery in metallurgy, coatings systems and the latest pressing technologies.

Boehlerit GmbH & Co KG Werk VI-Straße 100 | 8605 Kapfenberg +43 (3862) 300-0 | info@boehlerit.com www.boehlerit.com

Starting out in his garage in 1991, Robert Kanduth has turned his company into the world’s largest producer of flat plate collectors over the last few decades ,with an annual production capacity of more than 1.6 million collectors. GREENoneTEC from St. Veit an der Glan in Carinthia focuses on the customer’s wishes. The company with its ISO 9001 and ISO14001 certification has got almost 30 years of experience in the solar power sector, developing and producing solar collectors and mounting systems in customer-specific OEM versions. GREENoneTEC expanded its product range of solar collectors in 2019 by the compact and aesthetic hot water system SUNPAD. The product is already available in more than 50 countries.

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The Lower Austrian company is one of the major suppliers 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

We install your future success SGS Industrial Services is an internationally renowned and globally operating industrial service provider, with its headquarters located in Austria. It is your reliable partner for the mechanical and electrical installation of industrial plants and their maintenance. Customers all around the world benefit from our know-how in the sectors wood, wood based panels, stones/earth/cement, metal, energy, environment technology, logistics and automotive. Long-standing experience and the highest standards in quality and operational safety make SGS an attractive partner for large international projects in plant construction.

SGS Industrial Services GmbH GREENoneTEC Solarindustrie GmbH Energieplatz 1 | 9300 St. Veit an der Glan | Austria +43 (0) 4212 28 136-0 | info@greenonetec.com | www.greenonetec.com

Gewerbepark 14751 | Dorf an der Pram T: +43 7764 20048 0 | F: +43 7764 20048 1050 office@sgs-industrial.com www.sgs-industrial.com

AUSTRIAN SHOWCASE COMPANIES

SUNPOR Kunststoff GmbH Tiroler Straße 14, A-3105 St. Pölten Tel. +43 (0)2742 291-0 office@sunpor.at, www.sunpor.at The company ACE Apparatebau construction & engineering GmbH is part of the versatile Christof Group and operating on a global scale. For decades, ACE has been developing special solutions for industrial equipment, which are recognised worldwide. The company manufactures complex pressure vessels, heat exchangers, columns, reactors, FCC components and other special equipment for international clients in the petrochemical and chemical industry, the plastics, paper and food industry. At its headquarters in Lieboch, ACE produces apparatuses with pressures of up to 750 bar, weights of up to 600 tonnes and diameters of up to 5.4 metres.

sunpor – innovations for people and the environment sunpor is one of Europe’s technology leaders when it comes to the production of granules for premium EPS. With cutting-edge production methods. With a wide range of types for all applications from insulation, protection and packaging to innovative special solutions. With extensive and individual support for processors. Working passionately to achieve one thing: the best ideas for EPS that deliver both economic and environmental added value.

ACE Apparatebau construction & engineering GmbH Hans Thalhammer Straße 18 | 8501 Lieboch 03136/636000 | ace.office@christof-group.com | www.christof-group.com

Buying and selling gold and silver in Vienna We are trading in all products in the field of precious metal investment and numismatics – that means we are buying and selling all coins and ingots from gold, silver, platinum and palladium at that latest market value! GOLDINVEST has far-reaching national and international trade relations and is an honorary member of the Association of Austrian Numismatists. Get your export clients something very special from Austria! The watches from the GOLDINVEST Collection do not simply look stunning, they are also unique works of art from Austria!

Since its establishment in 1960 by Franz Binder, the family business has become a market leader in circular connectors. After almost 60 years about 1,800 people work for binder. At the end of March 2019, the construction of the new headquarters in Neckarsulm began. The new building offers a lot of space to create growth and new jobs. One of binder’s 15 sites outside Germany can be found in Vienna. “Our site in Austria is not only responsible for sales and local customer relations,” stresses Martin Grabler, head of binder Austria GmbH. “Our site not only offers sales of ready-made connectors but also specialist modules. These are developed and produced in Vienna, which results in strong growth: The turnover at the factory in Vienna has increased by more than 250 percent since 2015.”

binder Austria GmbH GOLDINVEST Edelmetalle GmbH Seilerstätte 15 | A-1010 Vienna Tel. +43 1 888 05 100 | E-Mail: info@goldinvest.at | www.goldinvest.at

Slamastraße 23 | 1230 Vienna +43 1 616 15 53 0 info@binder-connector.at www.binder-connector.at

AUSTRIAN SHOWCASE COMPANIES

The Kostwein Group, a family business established three generations ago, employs 1,000 people and is a supplier for world market leaders in various sectors of mechanical engineering with production sites in Austria, Croatia, India and the United States. Kostwein’s vision is to be the best mechanical engineering company in the built-to-print business thanks to global positioning and process innovations. This goal is pursued by our World Class Manufacturing philosophy, lean principles, EFQM and digitisation of all processes. Our value-oriented corporate culture and our full employee engagement are the basis for our motivation and our sustainable success. Our export ratio is at 97 percent.

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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.

Kostwein Maschinenbau GmbH

Berthold-Schwarz Straße 51 | 9020 Klagenfurt +43 (0)463 43204 | office.klagenfurt@kostwein.at | www.kostwein.at

ILF Consulting Engineers (ILF) is an international, fully independent engineering and consulting company with more than 50 years of experience in various fields of knowledge. More than 2,000 fully employed staff members at more than 40 offices across the globe develop convincing project solutions for customers with high standards. ILF offers its clients engineering and consulting services in the fields of Energy & Climate Protection, Water & Environment, Transport & Urban Spaces and Oil, Gas & Industrial.

ILF Consulting Engineers Austria GmbH Feldkreuzstraße 3 6063 Rum/Innsbruck Austria E-Mail: info.ibk@ilf.com Tel. 0043 512 / 24 12 - 0

Systematic Quality! That’s GIFAS ELECTRIC, an internationally operating company from Eugendorf near Salzburg. It guarantees premium electrotechnical system solutions since 1966. 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 an almost unlimited scope of application. No matter whether you need a standard product or a customised solution, the GIFAS team meets all of their client’s wishes and implements them with the latest technologies in accordance with standards and regulations.

GIFAS ELECTRIC Gesellschaft m.b.H Strass 2, A-5310 Eugendorf bei Salzburg +43 6225 7191-0 | verkauf@gifas.at | www.gifas.at

AUSTRIAN SHOWCASE COMPANIES

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.

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. 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.

Meissl Open-Air Solutions GmbH

ALGE-TIMING GmbH

Ellmauthal 40, 5452 Pfarrwerfen, Tel: 06462/25100 E-Mail: office@meissl.com, Internet: www.meissl.com

Rotkreuzstraße 39 · 6890 Lustenau · Austria Tel: +43-5577-85966 · Fax: +43-5577-85966-4 office@alge-timing.com · www.alge-timing.com

Umbrella bars and weather protection systems

The IMA Schelling Group has specialized in the development and fabrication of customer-specific manufacturing systems and processing solutions for the wood, metal and plastics industry. The company develops and manufactures intelligent high-end solutions which are sold through a global network of sales and service centres. The product range includes systems for the entire process chain, from storage, cutting, transport, edgebanding, drilling to the sorting and stacking of panel-shaped materials made of wood, metal or plastic. IMA Schelling also offers a comprehensive service programme and digitization products. Through the use of the machines, users benefit from automated and efficient manufacturing processes.

High-tech meets tradition The Lower Austrian company Ing. Roman Kaubek looks back on decades of extensive know-how when it comes to lubricants for classic cars, planes, tractors, motorbikes, boats and all types of historic engines. We make every type of fluid for vehicles and engines from 1900 to 1990 – regardless whether you need motor oil, transmission fluid or fuel additives. The company is the only provider of these specialist lubricants in Europe, offering all types of oils and fluids for classic engines. Ing. Kaubek supplies specialist companies all over the world with its labels LABRADOR and LABRACIN for historic engines built up until 1990.

Ing. Roman Kaubek Schmiermittel IMA Schelling Group Gebhard-Schwärzler-Straße 34 · 6858 Schwarzach · Österreich Tel. +43 5572 396-0 · E-Mail: info@imaschelling.com · Web: www.imaschelling.com

Triesterstraße 27 · 2620 Neunkirchen · Austria Mobile: +43 650 300 999 6 E-mail: office@kaubek-oil.at Web 1: www.oldtimer-schmierstoffe.at Web 2: www.kaubek-oil.at

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World Champion Austria Burgenland

Burgenland – land of subsidies in an excellent geographic location Attractive and business-friendly funding programmes combined with the proximity to economic centres.

Interview with Burgenland’s Minister of Economy World Champion Austria spoke to Leonhard Schneemann, Minister of Economy at the Burgenland Provincial Government, about the latest developments and future plans. Burgenland as a business location – what is the current focus? What is the long-term focus? Right now, the focus of the business location Burgenland is on securing livelihoods. Securing livelihoods is important as the Covid crisis has meant that many businesses in Burgenland have fallen into difficulty due to the massive decline in orders, which of course resulted in a decline in turnover. Our biggest priority is to counter

this with appropriate measures and maintain the structure of the economy. At the start of the crisis we put together a Covid support package. On the one hand, this included hardship funds with non-repayable subsidies and on the other hand, the Province assumed liabilities for bridging loans, which are processed by house banks. And the Province of Burgenland is bearing the interests for businesses in the tourism sector that have secured financing via the Austrian Hotel and Tourism Bank (ÖHT). In the medium-term, the aim is to put stimulatory measures in place in order to revive the economy, to get it back to the level it was before the crisis and thus create a basis for long-term growth. These measures are currently being compiled. In addition, we are backing a more intensive business settlement programme. To support this, the Province is offering to help companies in their settlement combined with an attractive funding package.

Photo: Landesmedienserviec Burgenland

s part of the Vienna region, the province of Burgenland is surrounded by business opportunities more so than most of the other provinces. It has the perfect location situated between East and West. The mountains and the Pannonia. The major cities of Vienna, Bratislava, Graz, Ljubljana and Budapest, plus the new growth markets in the East and a domestic market of almost four million consumers on the doorstep. Burgenland is able to act as a hub due to its close proximity to Slovakia and Hungary as well as Slovenia. Within just 100 kilometres there are three international airports: Vienna-Schwechat, Bratislava and Graz-Thalerhof. The majority of business locations are accessible via major road networks (A3, A4 and A6 in North Burgenland as well as the S31 in Middle Burgenland and the A2 in Southern Burgenland) and some of the locations have rail connections. Four business parks make Burgenland an attractive place to settle for national and international companies and aim to make the road to success easier for those who locate there. All six technology centres in Burgenland are directly connected to the Burgenland Data Highway via fibre optic cable networks.

Leonhard Schneemann, Minister of Economy, at the Burgenland Provincial Government

WeltMeister Österreich

Photo: Siemens AG/Wolfgang Geyer

Burgenland

In Edelstal, Coca-Cola HBC Austria invested in a high-speed line, which is one of the quickest in the world and also particularly energy-efficient.

Business parks

Job market and economic structure

c Heiligenkreuz c Overall size of 680,000 sqm c Located in the border triangle between Austria, Hungary and Slovenia c Kittsee c Overall size of 350,000 sqm c Located near Vienna and Bratislava c Müllendorf c Overall size of 587,000 sqm c Direct connection to the A3 motorway c Parndorf/Neusiedl am See c Overall size of 1,075,000 sqm c Direct connection to the A4 motorway

c Total number of jobs

Centres of technology

c Imports

1,311

c TZ Eisenstadt – computer science and communication c TZ Güssing – renewable energies c TZ Jennersdorf – optoelectronics and LED technologies c TZ Mittelburgenland – computer science and e-business c TZ Neusiedl am See – innovative companies c TZ Pinkafeld – economics and science

c Exports

1,214

106,042

c Apprentices

2,579

c Jobseekers (annual average)2

8,411

c Unemployment rate 2 7.3% c Members at the Economic Chamber

25,838

c Business formations3 1,638 c Gross value added in mln euros (2018)

8,047

c Gross regional product in mln euros (2018)

9,006

c Share in the Austrian GDP (2018)

2.3%

c Gross regional product per capita in euros (2018)

30,700

c Foreign trade in mln euros (Q1+Q2)

c Tourism overnight stays (x 1,000) c Patent issuances nationally (2018)

3,144 17

1 2019 data, 2 national calculation , 3 preliminary figures Source: Statistics Austria, Association of Social Security Institut i o n s , A u s t r i a n E c o n o m i c C h a m b e r, P r o v i n c e o f B u r g e n l a n d , A M S

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What is Burgenland planning in terms of research and development? Or in other words, what is the focus there? Up until now, Burgenland’s focus with regards to research has been predominantly on project-based research. This highly successful research is particularly reflected in Burgenland’s pioneering role in the use of renewable energy. In the last two decades, Burgenland has managed to cover its own annual electricity needs by 150 percent. This pioneering role in Europe can be traced back to our very successful project-based research. In the coming years, basic research will also be given a push. How will this be done? In terms of basic research, the future focus will be on the securing peoples’ livelihood. We have seen during the Covid crisis how dependant it is on other countries across all sectors. In addition, we aim toreach significant milestones in the areas of sustainability, water management, energy and circular economy. Why should companies settle in Burgenland specifically? Burgenland is an attractive location for businesses. It offers many relevant components that are beneficial for a desirable working environment. The geographical location in the “Vienna region” near to the economic hubs of Vienna, Bratislava and Budapest is of great relevance. In addition to the favourable infrastructure, Burgenland also has an excellent supply of skilled workers. Furthermore, the Province of Burgenland offers very attractive and business-friendly funding programmes and thanks to the quick official channels, things can be processed quickly. This is something that really showed during the latest crisis. ◆

Photo: Energie Burgenland

Digitisation, climate targets, research and development. What is Burgenland doing in this regard? All of these promising buzzwords are already part of our plan for the future and form part of the central implementation projects. Digitisation will be strengthened within Burgenland’s companies with the help of attractive support measures. But it will also be practised in the offices of the provincial government. Burgenland’s administration will become more digital with the help of several projects. Climate targets are also shaping our plans and projects, and are constantly included in our actions. In addition to the already existing incentives to reduce CO2 emissions, further measures will be introduced to help protect our invaluable climate and nature.

Energie Burgenland will be investing 420 million euros into renewable energies by 2025.

Burgenland, land of subsidies c Information on funding possibilities in Burgenland www.burgenland.at/foerderungen Point of contact for the IGR/ERDF EU programms c Regionalmanagement Burgenland GmbH www.rmb.at; www.eu-service.at c Wirtschaft Burgenland GmbH www.wirtschaft-burgenland.at c Austria Wirtschaftsservice GmbH/ERP-Fonds www.awsg.at c Kommunalkredit Public Consulting www.publicconsulting.at c Österreichische Forschungsförderungsgesellschaft www.ffg.at

World Champion Austria Burgenland

Experience Burgenland with all your senses Touch soft terry cloth, smell and taste hemp, hear better with little helpers – three best practice examples from the East of Austria.

e looked around all of Burgenland for three “business ambassadors” and picked a company from the North, the South and the centre each. In the North we went to Gols, in the centre to Grafenschachen and in the South to Jennersdorf. One company is a bit older – a classic company with long heritage, one is in its prime, so to speak, and one is an up-and coming youngster.

ity, the company stresses. All Vossen products get their unique quality from the revolutionary AIRpillow technology, which dissolutes the twist of the fibre structure and re-orients the fibres. Even though there are terry cloths in all colours possible, they are all “green”, so to speak. Vossen uses 100 percent renewable energies from wind, water, biomass and sun for the production of its cloths. “Our products are made in the heart of Europe and the raw materials don’t travel far. We have an above-average low carbon footprint,” the management proudly says.

Photo: Deep Nature Project

Terry cloth from Jennersdorf The chance to have come across a product from this company is Perfect mild climate for plants from the cannabaceae family quite high, particularly as a tourist, as upmarket hotels swear by Cultivating hemp has a long-standing tradition in Europe. For a few them. Please meet Vossen, one of Europe’s leading producers of years now, industrial hemp is terry cloth and the best-known making a comeback and the terry cloth brand in Austria and world is becoming aware once Germany. more of its positive attributes. Every year, the company One of them is increasing menproduces more than six million tal and physical well-being. premium products such as tow“When people think of hemp els, bath towels, dressing they often only think of THC gowns and bathroom rugs. (tetrahydrocannabinol), which Vossen has been producing its is intoxicating in larger products in Jennersdorf for amounts,” says Andrea Bamore than 50 years and the site macher, founder of Deep Nahas been chosen purposely, the ture Project. “Our products concompany says. Every year, sevtain only small doses of THC, eral tonnes of yarn are turned staying well under the legal into terry cloths in a state-oflimit of 0.2 percent. Our ecothe-art factory, which are then foods only focus on the unique exported to 40 countries all flavour and contribute to a balaround the world. Vossen puts anced diet.” lots of emphasis on quality, inThe Austrian hemp pioneer novation, international designs Hemp is making a comeback thanks to Andrea Bamacher, founder of Deep Nature Deep Nature Project GmbH and environmental sustainabilProject

Photo: Deep Nature Project

Photo: Konrad Limbeck

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Fluffy terry cloth from Fossen

Deep Nature Project constantly checks its products at its in-house labs.

from Gols has been operating since 2015, making certified and strictly controlled eco hemp products – premium eco foods and eco hemp extracts (CBD/CBFG) under the trademarks Medihemp and Vetrihemp. Cooperating with farmers in Austria, Germany and Croatia, the company cultivates industrial hemp on 510 hectares, harvests it with the latest technology and processes it with care. Its products are sold in almost 30 countries around the globe and are subject to both internal and external regular checks. Deep Nature Project is one of Europe’s leading producers of eco hemp and nutritional supplements. The company has a fully integrated eco-certified and controlled added value process. It has grown from five to 70 staff in the last five years and is thus an important employer in the region. Deep Nature Project is available in 27 European countries either online or through 250 distribution partners. The company also won the Burgenland Economic Chamber’s award as the province’s most family-friendly business 2019/20 in the category medium-sized enterprises. Deep Nature Project won

thanks to its flexible work time models such as job sharing, partial retirement, allowing employees to chose their work days, work time based on trust, mobile working, home office, saving up work time, unpaid holidays for family reasons and an employee assistance programme. There, every employee can select coaches from a list and use their services. Deep Nature Project also tries to help parents as much as possible with child care by offering the opportunity to reclaim accumulated overtime, temporary home office, taking child care into account when planning holidays and even allowing parents to take children to the office. “Combining family life and work life is a huge challenge for mothers and fathers in Burgenland’s rural regions,” says Andrea Gottweis, Head of the Trade Department at the Burgenland Economic Chamber and co-founder of the award. Andrea Bamacher also received the Burgenland Regionality Prize 2019, which is awarded every year for outstanding entrepreneurial achievements. Being based in Burgenland is considered both a trademark and

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World Champion Austria Burgenland

a seal of quality by Deep Nature Project. The company sees collaborations with other businesses from the province as a driver of innovation for a successful future.

Photos: Pixabay

Hearing well with technology from Southern Burgenland BHM manufactures premium hearing aids in Grafenschachen, which are made 100 percent in Austria and sold all around the world. The acronym stands for Berl Hörgeräte Manufaktur and signifies a success story that started with the production of spare parts for hearing aids in 2002. BHM’s core competence is the further development and manufacturing of bone conduction hearing systems for various applications, offering users e.g. with hearing glasses big advantages compared to other systems. Bone conduction systems receive and amplify sound waves, transforming them into vibrations that are forwarded directly to the cranial bone. The vibrations are perceived by the cochlea (the portion of the inner ear shaped like a small shell) as tones, with any obstructions in the middle or outer ear being circumvented.

Hearing glasses based on bone conduction technology are considered the perfect aid for people who not only need help hearing but also need help seeing. They are personalised solutions for those who do not want a hearing aid in the ear or who cannot have one for medical or physical reasons. BHM is a valuable alternative to surgery for children with hearing deficiencies as children quickly need to be able to hear in order to develop their speech. The company developed the world’s first digital miniature bone conduction hearing system. It is simply integrated into headwear such as caps, hairbands and the likes. Furthermore, BHM also manufactures state-of-the-art components for hearing implants and prostheses. The company is a trailblazer in hearing aids and precision components in the medical-technological field, developing and manufacturing high-tech micro components right from the start. The long-standing experience and quest for perfection makes BHM one of the world’s most-renowned specialists for bone conduction and air conduction hearing systems. ◆

Bone conduction systems receive and amplify sound waves, transforming them into vibrations that are forwarded directly to the cranial bone.

AUSTRIA QUALITY SEAL AS A GUARANTEE FOR TOP QUALITY

When you see the Austria Quality Seal, rest assured the product concerned is of certified superior and local quality.

ÖQA „Österreichische Arbeitsgemeinschaft zur Förderung der Qualität“ Gonzagagasse 1/27 | 1010 Wien T: +43 1 5353 748 | oeqa@qualityaustria.com | austriaguetezeichen.at

World Champion Austria Companies introduce themselves

Business location Burgenland Austria’s easternmost province is in a great position to become the country’s most dynamic economic region. This is not only down to the EU’s positive effects – Burgenland’s typical strengths are its greatest asset. The last few weeks and months had a massive impact on our lives. The health-related crisis management had a drastic effect on people and businesses, on jobs and turnovers. But in the face of all this, Burgenland has so far managed to overcome the Covid crisis and its resulting effects well. Burgenland is in a good position and has surely benefitted from the EU accession like no other Austrian province. This is reflected by numerous key data. But still, Burgenland is economically weak, especially in the South where transport and broadband infrastructure is lacking. The North, however, which is part of the so-called “Vienna Region”, is faring much better. That means that you have to differentiate when you talk about the province of Burgenland.

Burgenland’s business data

c 18,870 active members at the Economic Chamber c 2,608 apprentices c 777 companies where apprentices are trained c 3,092,657 overnight stays c Thereof 2,418,051 in commercial enterprises c about 1,200 business establishments per year c 108,549 wage earners Burgenland Economic Chamber Robert-Graf-Platz 1, 7000 Eisenstadt Tel. +43 5 90 907 2000 wkbgld@wkbgld.at wko.at/bgld

There is no doubt that the economic upswing and the special quality of life in Burgenland are connected to the 20,000 entrepreneurs in the province. They safeguard jobs, incomes and the necessary taxes for health care, education and social security, for infrastructure, the public administration etc. Therefore, great conditions regarding the business location are the basis for the success of these companies and thus our prosperity. There is a number of key issues that affect all businesses the same in the North, the centre and the South: transport infrastructure (both roads and railways), the expansion of digital infrastructure, the lack of apprentices and skilled workers, services from the province’s authorities and a reduction of red tape, and quality of life as a location factor. Identity, self-image, public image Facts first: Burgenland is Austria’s easternmost province with a 400-kilometre long border. It has a flat, sometimes hilly and rarely mountainous topography. There are seven districts, 171 communities, three regions, four languages, thousands of little facets and even more loveable peculiarities. Today, Burgenland is Austria’s province with the highest economic growth. In 2017, the gross regional product (GRP) went up by 3 percent ensuring excellent economic growth. Since 2012, Burgenland has recorded the highest economic growth of all provinces four times. Since the EU accession in 1995, Burgenland’s GRP went up from 3.8 billion euros to 8.2 billion euros in 2016. Success came about in the most various areas: Burgenland has now the highest ratio of school-leavers with university qualifications in Austria. Early on, the province banked on wind energy and is now self-sufficient at peak times. This makes Burgenland a role model for all of Europe. Subsidies Business subsidies aim to improve the competitiveness of Burgenland’s economy. The idea is to boost operational and regional competitiveness by opening up new customer groups.

Photo: WKB/Lexi

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Honorary Consul Peter Nemeth, President of the Burgenland Economic Chamber, is working hard every day for Burgenland’s positive economic future.

The priority is on improving the strategic and target-group-oriented focus of businesses by bringing existing and new products and services onto new markets. Playing by the rules, i.e. a level playing field, is an essential issue, however. Generally speaking, Burgenland’s assets need to be put in the limelight and problem areas need to be tackled in order to take the next step in making it Austria’s most pro-business province. Specific issues c Fair checks and the same rules for all (cross-border services) c Improving and safeguarding the quality of life c High-quality jobs near residential areas c Land use planning and regional development c Connecting Clusters in Burgenland and beyond its borders

Future topics Burgenland can become Austria’s most dynamic economic region with clever and sustainable regional development. The high quality of life and listening to the needs of the population are the key for this. Policy-makers, the administration, businesses and people need to focus on this. Being proactive, having new ideas and concepts for the future, digitisation and new sectors – all this is needed more than ever. But typical attributes associated with Burgenland are also of high importance: hard work, thirst for knowledge, the willingness to create something but also the appreciation for the bright side of life and sustaining a high quality of life in a faster and faster developing world are becoming essential location factors.

World Champion Austria Vienna

Vienna – metropolis and world-class business location The Austrian capital excels in quality of life, stability, safety and infrastructure. It also carries the title ‘Greenest City’ – quite rightly so.

Research and development in Vienna 1,560 research centers and 848 R&D companies make Vienna the research centre of Austria, and with a research ratio of 3.6 percent, Vienna is also one of the top EU regions in this ranking. With 5.3 percent of all Viennese employees, Austria’s capital is also Central Europe’s centre for basic research and applied research. 3.5 billion euros or 1,800 euros per inhabitant are spent on research and development every year according to the Vienna Business Agency. Alongside universities, universities of applied science and private universities, other non-university research institutes such as the Austrian Academy of Sciences, the Austrian Institute of Technology, the Christian Doppler Laboratories and the Ludwig Boltzmann Institute play an important role. Siemens, Böhringer-Ingelheim, Bosch and Kapsch have the highest research and development expenditures. Around 125,000 businesses are located in Vienna, including many world market leaders in their respective fields. More than 200 international corporations use Vienna for their regional headquarters, often responsible for the entire CEE area. Peter

Hanke, City Councillor for Finance, Economy, Digitisation and International Affairs, knows more about the business location. What is the current focus for Vienna as a business location? Our current focus is on finding the best possible ways to cushion the effects of the Covid crisis. Alongside measures for companies in Vienna to help tide them over during the crisis related eco-

Photo: Jungwirth/PID

ienna is the world champion when it comes to quality of life, wether it’s the Mercer-Study, “The Economist” or the UN – Vienna is Number 1. In addition, Vienna reached the top spot in the worldwide “Greenest City” ranking and “Best Startup Hub in the world” ranking. The city has a world-class infrastructure, for example Vienna Airport and its numerous train connections, and a global internet node with the Vienna Internet Exchange VIX. According to the “Guardian”, Vienna as the best-connected city by rail in Europe. With its high productivity, Vienna is one of the top regions in the European Union, states the Vienna Business Agency. Austria’s capital is also highly valued by many companies thanks to its geographic location as a hub to markets in the CEE region.

Peter Hanke, City Councillor for Finance, Economy, Digitisation and International Affairs

Photo: Johannes Zinner

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The public transport system in Vienna is without a doubt world-class; every day, Wiener Linien transports 2.6 million people quickly and safely throughout the city.

Universities

Job market and economic structure

c University of Vienna c Vienna University of Technology c Vienna University of Economics and Business c University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Vienna c Medical University of Vienna c The University of Music and Performing Arts Vienna c University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna c University of Applied Arts Vienna c Sigmund Freud University Vienna c Music and Arts University of the City of Vienna c Modul University Vienna c Webster Vienna Private University c JML Jam Music Lab Private University

c Total number of jobs

864,116

c Apprentices

17,153

c Jobseekers (annual average)2 114,869 c Unemployment rate2

11.7%

c Members at the Economic Chamber 141,219 c Business formations3 9,221 c Gross value added in mln euros (2018)

86,155

c Gross regional product in mln euros (2018)

96,417

c Share in the Austrian GDP (2018)

25.0%

c Gross regional product per capita in euros (2018) 51,000 c Foreign trade in mln euros (Q1+Q2)

Universities of applied science

c Imports

19,115

c Fachhochschule Technikum Vienna c FH Vienna of the Vienna Economic Chamber c University of Applied Sciences BFI Vienna c Lauder Business School

c Exports

10,357

c Tourism overnight stays (x 1,000) c Patent issuances nationally (2018)

206

2019 data, national calculation preliminary figures Source: Statistics Austria, Association of Social Security I n s t i t u t i o n s , A u s t r i a n E c o n o m i c C h a m b e r, C i t y o f V i e n n a , A M S 1

S o u r c e : S t a t i s t i c a l Ye a r b o o k C i t y o f V i e n n a

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World Champion Austria Vienna

addition, the City also has a very research-friendly focus where networking and collaborations work really well. As the largest German-speaking university city, Vienna has a powerful talent pool: Companies really value this and this in turn creates attractive jobs. In research alone there are around 1,000 companies and around 46,000 employees. To keep it this way, we are implementing a series of specific measures for budding researchers and also for research institutions.

Photo: Siemens

nomic shortfalls, we are setting funding priorities for projects that are developing solutions to help companies and institutions operate as fully as possible despite the Covid-related restrictions. Economic policies also have to readjust to ‘developing’ rather than just to ‘safeguarding’ as soon as possible. Vienna urgently needs stimuli that aim to reboot the economy sustainably. As a city government we are therefore planning extensive measures on all levels with the hope of stimulating consumer demand and as a result returning economic activity to local companies.

For the future there are many open questions such as digitisation, climate protection and climate targets. How does the City of Vienna tackle them? Digitisation and climate protection are topics which have been of high importance for quite some time. With the Digital Agenda 2025, the City of Vienna has set out a clear schedule for how we want to become the digitalisation capital of Europe. The concerted expansion of 5G, the latest mobile technology standard, will bring a decisive advantage to the competitiveness of Vienna as a business location. The Smart City Framework Strategy specifies ambitious targets in CO2 emissions as well as in many other areas, which are important to us as a model climate city. In addition, the City also offers a range of measures via the Vienna Business Agency, which supports businesses and research facilities in finding solutions to the challenges of climate change. For example, large companies are linked with small and medium-sized enterprises as well as start-ups and researchers. Together, they can work on solutions. A great example is the Rain Water Challenge. The City, researchers and companies worked together to combat the accumulating heavy rainfalls and their effects while at the same time trying to find ways to use these large amounts of rainwater to cool down the city.

City Councillor Peter Hanke (centre) speaks to Siemens CEO Wolfgang Hesoun (right)

And in the long term? What is the City of Vienna planning for the business location? In the long-term we are orientating ourselves on six topics in particular, which are laid out in the business strategy “VIENNA 2030 - Economy & Innovation”. It was drawn up in 2019 with stakeholders from civil society, business and politics. It builds upon topics where Vienna has already particular expertise and strengths. These topics are particularly suited to finding solutions for the urban challenges of the coming decades. ‘Viennese solutions’ aim for innovative approaches that can measure up to international comparison. We have defined topics such as “Vienna, metropolis of health” and “Viennese digitalisation“, for example. You can find out more at stolzaufwien.at Vienna has the most R&D companies in Austria. What is the City doing in this area exactly? Research creates innovation and innovation creates jobs. As a city we are setting out initiatives to make sure Vienna remains part of the top regions in Europe. And we are successful: the number of research companies has increased by 300 percent in 15 years. Among other things, Vienna offers its own laboratories for small research facilities and real estate for big players. In

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Vienna, the disposable income available for families is higher than in comparable cities. In a nutshell: In Vienna, high quality and a high standard of life are affordable. ◆

For entrepreneurs, the economy and the business location The Vienna Business Agency supports local and international companies in all phases of their business development, providing advice on all corporate issues and helping expats get up and running in Vienna. Businesses from all sectors can get help and advice when looking for funding, business premises, an office, free advice, workshops and wanting to establish new partnerships. Vienna Business Agency. www.wirtschaftsagentur.at

Photo: Stadt Wien/Wiener Gewässer

Why should companies settle especially in Vienna? Vienna is a metropolis. That’s why more and more international companies are choosing to settle in Vienna. In 2019, 266 new international companies settled in Vienna, breaking the record for the number of annual settlements for the eighth times in a row. Stability and security are major factors which Vienna are associated with all around the world despite the current economic challenges posed by the Covid crisis. In addition, the excellent infrastructure, the transport hub both in terms of rail and air travel, skilled employees and Vienna’s geographic proximity to CEE markets are all advantages of Vienna. International companies can confirm that Vienna as a business location has done an excellent job over the past months. The high quality of life in Vienna has once again been confirmed particularly for expats working in Vienna, who often come from regions badly affected by the Covid crisis. Vienna is not only attractive for companies but also for the employees who settle here as it is affordable. For child care and living costs alone, a family of four can expect to pay four times as much in New York as in Vienna. In Zurich, it is about three times as much. This difference is very rarely compensated for by a higher income. In

Vienna is the bee capital of Europe. As part of the EU project Life DICCA (“Danube Island Climate Change Adaptation“) the Danube Island will become the “Island of Bees”.

World Champion Austria Vienna

Advocate and supporter of infrastructure expansion World Champion Austria spoke to Vienna’s location advocate Alexander Biach about his first year in office and future projects.

Mr Biach, why does Vienna need a location advocate? It isn’t only Vienna that needs a location advocate – all provinces do. I’m therefore particularly happy that one year after our idea of having a location advocate received a legal mandate this position has become so well established. Location advocates are now involved in Environmental Impact Assessments and appraisals in all nine provinces. Furthermore, we managed to create more understanding for important infrastructure projects on all levels. In Vienna we are on good terms with policymakers and businesses. Thanks to our activities we were able to calculate and highlight the economic significance of construction projects and modernisations of infrastructure. When you present people with facts and figures that a new, modern infrastructure creates jobs and added value, that gives you an edge in international competition over other business locations and that is more efficient and climate-friendly. On top, they will be more appreciative of projects. After all, infrastructure makes peoples’ lives simpler and better. It is a location advocate’s job to get this across. When you are looking back at your first year as Vienna’s location advocate, what do you remember most? How did the first year go in general? My team and I started well. Thanks to an agreement with the City of Vienna we were able to expand the location advocate’s competences set by federal law by a few specific projects in the province. Now, we are working closely with the City Hall and Vienna’s munic-

ipal administration. We calculate the economic effects of regional projects such as the bridge maintenance programme, the revival of shopping streets and the expansion of public transport. Furthermore, we have received Austria’s State Prize for Public Relations in the category Specialist Projects/Innovations for implementing the idea of adding a location advocate to its legal establishment. It is a nice award to have and confirms our good work. But then the Covid crisis took hold with the lockdown and all its economic effects. We actually published a paper on how Vienna’s economy is developing

Photo: Weinwurm

s of July 2019, Vienna has a location advocate in Alexander Biach, established by federal law. He will have legal standing in future Environmental Impact Assessments to highlight the economic advantages of infrastructure projects according to his job description, when his position was revealed. We spoke to him about his tasks.

Alexander Biach, Vienna’s location advocate

Photo: Austrian Airlines/Florian Schmidt

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The task of a location advocate is not only about new projects: Alexander Biach and his team contributed significantly to saving Austrian Airlines.

in a national and international context before, during and after the Covid crisis. In addition, we calculated the economic effects and the significance of Austrian Airlines as a flag carrier for Vienna. We contributed massively to saving Austrian Airlines with this analysis. Vienna as business location is going to benefit strongly from it. Let’s look into the future: what’s next? The entire region of Vienna is growing. Many things need to be re-evaluated because of the Covid crisis and its social and economic effects. But we can be sure that the end of the world won’t come and we need to look forward. We need to kickstart the economy. We need a number of measures and modernising and expanding the existing infrastructure is a really important pillar. There are a lot of projects, in any case. We need to address the questions surrounding local traffic, commuting and goods traffic with a new overall concept. We also need a modern and sustainable digital infrastructure for Vienna. And we need investments into urban development and the medical infrastructure. We are approaching the end of the year and Christmas is not far away. What is on your wish list for Father Christmas – as a location advocate, of course? The top priority is to leave the pandemic behind as quickly as possible. The virus is invisible but is turning the whole world upside down. We will continue to feel its tremors in society, politics and the economy for a long time. But there are also positives that we can take from it. We saw that people stick together when the going gets tough. The high flexibility of businesses and em-

ployees when it came to working from home was remarkable. We have made a fundamental step towards a digital society this year; otherwise we would have needed several years. The real economy has arrived in the digital age. I am positive and optimistic that Vienna as a business location will get out of the crisis well. I wish this for all the people who live and work here. And I will fight for this as the location advocate. ◆

Location advocate Vienna The location advocate is tasked to highlight the economic significance and public benefits such as energy supply, job protection and tax revenue in planning permissions and Environmental Impact Assessments (EIA). To achieve this, the location advocate has been given legal standing in EIAs by federal law. The City of Vienna expanded these competences on a provincial level. The location advocate will be able to take part in projects and give expert opinions on projects that do not require an EIA such as projects for the expansion of public transport and road infrastructure, land use planning and urban expansion. www.wko.at/site/standortanwalt-wien/start.html

World Champion Austria Innovations & inventions

Keep your fingers safe with an Austrian invention Bad accidents with panel saws will soon be a thing of the past thanks to the Felder Group and the Vienna University of Technology.

Thomas Weiler from the Institute of Production Engineering and Photonics at the Vienna University of Technology explains that the first attempts to integrate active safety technology into panel saws date back to the 1960s, but “the existing systems only react once the saw blade makes contact with human tissue. And that is too late, of course. The emergency stop has to happen in an extremely abrupt way to minimise the risk of severe injuries. Such an intensive braking process may damage the sawblade and also requires replacing the entire brake unit.” That is expensive of course and takes up a lot time. Which costs more money. So, the Felder Group and the Vienna University of Technology faced a particular problem: Detecting a dangerous situation quickly and reacting Great minds think alike even quicker without damaging parts of the panel saw and thus The Felder Group explains that they had the first ideas for a new keeping it operational. solution back in 2013, and by 2015 the company started to develop “The decisive idea was to use the saw blade itself as a capaca completely new safety feature. Soon, the research turned into a itive sensor,” Weiler says. There is no need for an expensive adcooperation project with the Vienna University of Technology. Robditional system and no need for complicated motion sensors. ert Tratter, Head of Research and Development at Felder Group, These were hurdles that made many companies give explains why they approached the university: “We up their innovation projects because the panwere looking for a scientific partner with a el saw would become very expensive. high level of research knowledge, comSimilar to an antenna, electric bining know-how in all mechatronic impulses make the saw blade fields – mechanics, electrics, elecoscillate. And this electric osciltronics and software developlation is influenced whether ment. After several prelimia human body is close or nary talks with various not. Most people know research facilities the Vithis effect from old radio enna University of sets with a bad recepTechnology turned out tion – you can hear to be the best partner static when you because it met all approach the antenthese requirements na or move away and is also an Austrifrom it. Which one is closer – a hand or a piece of wood? The saw blade “senses” the difference immediately. an research partner.” he panel saw is one of the most dangerous machines in wood-working. Even with the highest care there are still many accidents that often result in the amputation of fingers or the entire hand. There are a number of legally required protective measurements such as shields but in reality, workers often don’t use them because they impede working and the handling of the wood. This is what made the Felder Group think. All existing concepts such as stopping the saw blade within the shortest amount of time have not really been successful with large machinery. So the company came up with a new idea.

Photo: Felder Group (2)

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Robert Tratter, Head of Research and Development at the Felder Group: “The Vienna University of Technology was the best partner for our project.”

“The human body can conduct electricity, thus there can be a reciprocity between an antenna and the human body, at least at short distances,” Weiler says, explaining the new safety feature: “If a finger gets close to the saw blade, it influences the electric oscillation in the blade.” You can tell whether an object with higher conductivity approaches. A wet piece of timber, which would influence the saw blade similarly, would have an effect on a larger scale. “Therefore, a finger has a different signature than a piece of wood meant for cutting. You can detect the difference and trigger an emergency stop.” Disappearance is the magic word But an emergency stop would damage the blade and the brake unit, wouldn’t it? Exactly – that’s why the blade doesn’t actually brake at first. So, what do you do when you want to keep two objects apart from one another, the one turning quickly and being very sharp, the other slow and bleeding easily? You make one of them disappear with the help of a software. The blade is lowered by a new electromagnetic actuator principle. “Over the first few millimetres this is being done with 5 g – five times the gravitational force,” Tratter says. This globally patented safety system called PCS Preventive

Contact System detects human tissue in the danger zone and lowers the saw blade within a few milliseconds, making it disappear under the panel – there is no contact with the fingers, no injuries, no damage and the saw stays operational for immediate use. Detection, reaction, action “In terms of actuator technology, we wanted to a have an extremely short reaction time while ensuring that the entire system remains undamaged and can be put back to use immediately,” Tratter says. Users can continue their work at the press of a button after an emergency stop without the need for any maintenance work. The Vienna University of Technology already patented its sensors for the detection of human tissue near a saw blade. And it also patented another invention that was necessary to realise the project with the Felder Group: It isn’t just enough to detect danger; the saw also needs to react accordingly with extremely low latency. The Vienna University of Technology also developed a special electromagnetic actuator that makes the blade disappear inside the panel saw. This movement is started in the first millisecond after detecting an approaching finger. Only a few milliseconds later, the blade has reached its escape speed. That means that the blade

World Champion Austria

Photos: Felder Group (3)

Innovations & inventions

The saw blade is protected from all sides with a safety area and disappears if a finger approaches.

moves away from the hand quicker than a human can move towards the blade. It is important that the blade escapes very quickly yet in a safe and controlled way to ensure that it isn’t damaged and the panel saw is operational again immediately afterwards. The Preventive Contact System lowers the saw blade with the help of electromagnetic actuators. The entire tool, i.e. the blade including the motor, is kept in position by two permanent magnets. If danger approaches and the system is triggered, the polar-

After the blade was lowered it is ready for use again at the push of a button.

ity of the permanent magnets is reversed by a strong electric impulse. This creates a tremendous repulsion force that moves the tool with five times the gravitational force underneath the panel and thus away from the danger zone. Before the tool comes to a halt, dampers brake the tool and dissipate the entire kinetic energy. That way, neither the panel saw’s components nor the tool is damaged when the system is triggered. The Preventive Contact System works regardless of dust contamination, even when making hidden cuts or when cutting with a swung-out overhead saw guard. By pressing of a button the saw slowly returns to its original position and is ready for use again. In addition, the system works without wearing any parts and is therefore completely maintenance-free. Successful cooperation “Our cooperation with the Vienna University of Technology worked out very well. We first managed to confirm our ideas with preliminary tests and eventually developed a solution ready to go into production after several development cycles,” Tratter says. “The entire project took four years and the cooperation was very positive, constructive and motivational for us. It was a valuable experience for our research and development department and we learned many things for the future.” The development of the Preventive Contact System received a boost from the subsidies of the EU’s European Regional Development Fund’s programme Investment for Growth and Jobs (IGJ/ ERDF). “Thanks to this financial aid we moved forward a lot

Photo: Felder Group

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quicker than we would have with our regular research budget,” Tratter says. Furthermore, the subsidies helped to reduce the project’s risk “because there was no guarantee that we would be successful.” Surprised competitors The Preventive Contact System was presented at Ligna 2019, the world’s leading trade fair for tools, machinery and plants for wood-working and -processing. “Our invention surprised everyone when we presented a fully operational machine at Ligna, showing real-life demonstrations every 30 minutes. The new systems of our competitors were often only prototypes,” Tratter remembers. “There are of course a number of patents on the market but most of them had never been implemented. We also wanted to come up with a completely new solution, an innovation that goes far beyond the latest technology. And we managed to do so. The Preventive Contact System is truly a unique product on the market: contactless, extremely quick and non-destructive.” The Felder Group is constantly working to improve and perfect the system since its market entry to achieve even higher safety for panel saw operators all around the world. Various factors such as regional environmental conditions and different materials have to be taken into account. In addition, the new system has been and is being certified by independent testing institutes. The demand in panel saws with the Preventive Contact System has been huge, just like the positive feedback on social media after

the presentation at Ligna 2019 – particularly from training schools and insurers. That is hardly surprising, says Tratter, when you consider that carpenters and joiners are among the occupational groups with above-average accident risk. Every year, almost 1,000 woodworkers suffer cuts in Austria. More than 50 lose one or more fingers. Operating a panel is by far the biggest source of hand injuries. But which panel saws come with the Preventive Contact System, and can you actually tell from the outside? “The Preventive Contact System is available as an optional feature of the Format4 Panel Saw Kappa 550 (pictured above). We have been taking orders since the system’s introduction at Ligna 2019. We will start shipping such panel saws in September 2020,” Tratter says. “We want to expand the availability of the system to smaller panel saws step by step. You can only tell if the PCS system has been installed by a logo on the saw and a submenu on the touchscreen.” Impressive but still only a safety feature Despite the system’s success Tratter has a warning for curious people who want to test it themselves: “A few members of staff voluntarily tested the Preventive Contact System in their spare time, of course without injuring themselves. But we ask people to refrain from doing so with regards to health and safety regulations. It is a just-in-case safety feature and even if the technology is error-free it is only meant to prevent accidents.” After all, every woodworker has ten good reasons on his hands to not take any unnecessary risks. ◆

World Champion Austria Institutions introduce themselves

A digital hello from Vienna with Viennese online services

Quick official channels In Vienna, many things can be done quickly online, around the clock without any red tape – the Virtual Office of the City of Vienna is at your disposal. More than 600 websites have comprehensive information on the City’s services including everything on deadlines, costs and necessary documents. If you want to start your own company, for example, you can do all the necessary paperwork online. The offer ranges from registration to moving addresses, from appointing a new managing director to opening new business sites. Other examples for the City’s online services are buying and extending a parking permit, registering your dog or applying for a loading zone. You can also find the latest waiting times at the passport or residence registration offices of the municipal authorities online.

Virtual library The virtual library offers a large range of digital media such as eBooks, eAudios and ePapers that you can lend at the click of a mouse. This service is available to all customers of the Vienna Libraries with a valid library pass. They can choose from around 69,000 digital media around the clock. These media are available for a number of devices such as eBook readers, tablets and smartphones. A big advantage is the automatic return feature that avoids customers racking up late fees. In addition, the Virtual Library offers 1,500 eLearning classes from the leading video training provider Lynda to everyone interested in furthering their education. Try the Overdrive eLibrary of the Vienna Libraries with almost 9,000 English language eBooks and digital audiobooks.

mein.wien.gv.at

buechereien.wien.gv.at

Photo: City of Vienna

Photo: R. Krischanitz

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The City of Vienna’s online offer is quite far-reaching: A lot can be done at the click of a mouse from home. The City also has started its own podcast. Now it is up to you to use these services.

frauen.wien.at Treasure of data The City of Vienna puts all public data (Open Government Data) and services that are not subject to data protection or critical for the infrastructure online – freely available for everyone. This data is shared with all citizens, businesses and scientists. It includes geo data, traffic figures, environmental data, budget figures and statistical data. This opens up a large number of possibilities as this data can by used for the good of many people. Start-ups and businesses, for examples, but also researchers have the opportunity to create innovative solutions without any risks at a low cost. This service is part of the “Open by Default” data initiative of the City of Vienna. It aims for more transparency, participation and

close cooperation between the city’s administration and all stakeholders. 300 apps have been created from this open data such as software for the use of public transport or for visualising statistical data. open.wien.gv.at New: The City of Vienna Podcast The City of Vienna uses more and more digital channels to put out information – and now you can even listen to the City: The City of Vienna Podcast deals with the most important urban issues. The public can share their opinion, unfiltered and uncut, on hot topics. The podcast’s first season deals with the Covid crisis. Citizens talk about their experiences, their concerns and their lives. This ranges from inhabitants of a retirement home to business owners in the district of Ottakring who fear for their livelihood. The free podcast is available on all popular audio platforms such as Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts and Spotify. You can also listen to the City of Vienna Podcast in your browser (Firefox, Chrome, Internet Explorer) or through your RSS reader. If you have installed a podcast app on your smartphone (Android or iOS) you can tune in there as well. The City of Vienna Podcast is the latest addition to the City’s multimedia offer and expands our online offer by another digital component. podcast.wien.gv.at

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Offers for women The internet is a major part of everyday life. We are taking part in webinars, chatting with friends and family, listening to podcasts and doing our banking online. But where there is light, there is also shade – how do we react best to online hate speech? How do we deal with fake news? Which pictures should I not post online and which data should I keep to myself? What are the risks of online dating? The free folder “Women Online” by the City’s Department for Women’s Affairs has tips for safe surfing and dealing with sexism, something that women and girls are unfortunately often confronted with online. In addition, there is a list of all ports of call in case of an emergency. It is important that you get help from experts when you need it! Department for Women’s Affairs +43/1/4000-83515

Photo: PID/Markus Wache

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World Champion Austria Tyrol

Tyrolean trio for a strong economy Tyrol is counting on digitisation and innovation as well as research and development in its core areas technology, health and tourism.

What is Tyrol focusing on in terms of the business location? We are consistently focusing on research and development as well as innovation and digitisation. Especially now with the Covid pandemic around. The regional innovation sys-

tem is excellent and offers companies the best prerequisites to secure their market success with smart technologies. It is not without reason that Tyrol’s technology transfer is constantly securing impressive investments. Some of the latest examples of the province’s success are the millions public authorities invested into the University of Innsbruck spin-off AQT to build a quantum computer. Or the European Union’s investment into pioneering innovations of the SMEs Oroboros Instruments and Bluecode. And then there is German pharmaceutical company Boehringer Ingelheim’s investment to expand the biotechnology company ViraTherapeutics at its new site near Innsbruck.

Photo: Johannes Puch

ore than 46,000 active companies, eight universities, colleges and universities of applied science as well as more than 20 university clinics. Tyrol is a stronghold of basic research, achieving outstanding international results with a research ratio of 3.14 percent, says to the Austrian Business Agency. Seven innovation clusters and sector networks with around 500 innovative partners from the worlds of business and science are providing great momentum in fields such as renewable energies, information technology, life sciences and mechatronics. Tyrol definitely has more to offer than just mountains, views and food, which make for a strong tourism sector. Tyrol has become a province of technology. Speaking about the business location, what does Tyrol focus on? What role does the Tyrolean Business Agency play? We spoke to Marcus Hofer, Managing Director of the business agency Standortagentur Tirol GmbH, about this and many other questions regarding the future.

Marcus Hofer, Managing Director of the Tyrolean Business Agency

What is the situation with regards to digitisation in Tyrol? In Tyrol, companies have the opportunity to help shape the structural transformation of digitisation from the frontline. On the one hand, this is due to the strong digital services in the province and on the other hand, due to tailwinds from the 150 million euro strong digitisation programme of the Province of Tyrol, from the newly endowed and expanded digitisation grants, from the initiative Digital.Tirol as well as from the Digital Innovation Hub West. All of this strengthens the cooperation of universities, research facili-

Photo: Standortagentur Tirol (2)

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Alpine Quantum Technologies (AQT), a spin-off from the University of Innsbruck, developed the first all-purpose quantum computer based on captured ions.

Education & research

Job market and economic structure

c University of Innsbruck c Medical University of Innsbruck c UMIT, private university for health science, health informatics and technology in Hall in Tirol c Management Center Innsbruck c University of Applied Sciences Kufstein c University of Applied Sciences / Health, Innsbruck

c Total number of jobs

Specific university research facilities

c Gross value added in mln euros (2018)

30,983

c CMBI, Center for Moleculare Life Sciences c Institute for Biomedical Aging Research (Austrian Academy of Sciences) c ADSI (Austrian Drug Screening Institute), cancer research

c Gross regional product in mln euros (2018)

34,673

Non-university research facilities c IQOQI – Institute for Quantum Optics and Quantum Information (Austrian Academy of Sciences) c Institute for Interdisciplinary Mountain Research: Human and Environment (Austrian Academy of Sciences) c Ludwig Boltzmann Institute for Aids Research Source: ABA Invest In Austria

c Apprentices

10,874

c Jobseekers (annual average)2 c Unemployment rate

344,082 16,310

2 4.5%

c Members at the Economic Chamber 54,616 c Business formations3 2,912

c Share in the Austrian GDP (2018) c Gross regional product per capita in euros (2018) c Foreign trade in mln euros (Q1+Q2) c Imports c Exports c Tourism overnight stays (x 1,000) c Patent issuances nationally (2018)

9.0% 46,100 5,840 6,616 49,897 39

1 2019 Data, 2 national calculation, 3 preliminary number Source: Statistics Austria, Association of Social Security I n s t i t u t i o n s , A u s t r i a n E c o n o m i c C h a m b e r, P r o v i n c e o f Ty r o l , A M S

World Champion Austria Tyrol

Why should companies settle in Tyrol? Tyrol as a business location is perfect for SMEs that want to capitalise on growth through innovation and digitisation. Together with the local research facilities and highly innovative business partners from the six clusters in future-orientated industries such as renewable energies, information technology and life sciences, they can carve out a sustainable market edge. What do you mean exactly with “carving out a sustainable market edge”? Acting on a mandate from Lebensraum Tirol Holding, the Tyrolean Business Agency is supporting and networking the development of sustainable Alpine technologies. Companies with a focus on resource-saving solutions for the Alpine region can benefit from the Alpine Tech Innovation Hub, which has been built exactly for this purpose and offers cross-industry programmes, input from experts as well as cooperation possibilities with start-ups. How does the Tyrolean Business Agency support these companies and those that may be interested?

Growth through innovation in Tyrol The Business Agency Tyrol supports companies, research facilities, municipalities and regions with their growth, digitisation and start-up projects in Tyrol as well as with regional, national and international networking. Its goal is to strengthen the position of Tyrol as a business location through development, founding and settlement of enterprises right through to the safeguarding of existing jobs, creating new jobs and marketing the business and science location Tyrol both nationally and internationally. Tyrolean Business Agency / Standortagentur Tirol GmbH www.standort-tirol.at

Photo: Standortagentur Tirol

ties and small and medium-sized enterprises with regards to digitisation in Western Austria – all under the guidance of the University of Innsbruck.

Lisa Egerer, Managing Director of ViraTherapeutics, and her team develop innovative therapies for cancer treatment at the new site in Rum near Innsbruck.

For many years the Tyrolen Business Agency has set its sights on a number or relevant issues with our innovation services that aim to integrate digital technologies, a digital culture and new business models into companies. The clusters that we manage are driving digitisation across various sectors. The Renewable Energy Cluster Tyrol is pushing digitisation as the main driver in the energy revolution and the Mechatronics Cluster Tyrol is promoting digitisation as the engine of increased energy efficiency and stronger regional supply chains. ◆

proHolz Tirol The cluster ProHolz Tirol is a company-oriented organisation that focuses on horizontal and vertical networking within the Tyrolean forestry sector and timber industry. The main fields of activities include cooperation, qualifications, product development, innovation, market development and internationalisation. The generation of subsidised projects on a local, national and international level plays a central role in this. Focal points c design and craftsmanship c mountain timber and regionality c qualifications and new skilled workers

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Renewable Energies Tirol

IT Tirol

c 85* companies, institutions and universities with more than 8.000 employees use the Cluster Renewable Energies Tirol for their projects.

c 112* companies, institutions and universities employing more than 2.000 people use the IT Cluster Tyrol for their projects.

c Fields of technology: Solar heat Photovoltaics Heat pumps Biomass, biogas, power-heat cogeneration Electromobility Hydropower (also on a small-scale) Energy efficiency and energy-efficient building

c Felds of technology: Software development Data processing Consultation Services and training Communication Software and hardware sales

Life Sciences Tyrol

Wellness Tirol

c 74* companies, institutions and universities employing more than 23,000 people use the Cluster Life Sciences Tyrol for their projects.

c 109* companies, institutions and universities employing more than 4,000 people use the Cluster Wellness Tyrol for their projects.

c Fields of technology: Biotechnology Pharmaceuticals Medical engineering Provision of services Research & education

c Fields of technology: Hardware construction and plant engineering Well-being and healthcare applications Planning Spa hotels Consulting

Mechatronics Tyrol

kreativ.land.tirol

c 98* companies, institutions and universities employing more than 4,000 people use the Mechatronics Cluster Tyrol for their projects.

The cluster Kreativ.Land.Tirol supports creative commercial enterprises with tailor-made services so they can cooperate and grow with each other and other sectors. Creative commercial enterprises include those from the fields of architecture, design, advertising, film industry, music industry, book and publishing industry, radio& tv, software & games and the market for performing arts.

c Fields of technology: Toolmaking and mould construction Metal finishing Lightweight construction and new materials Automotive Optics Plastics processing Engineering and industrial design Machinery and plant engineering

The cluster also works on developing the creative industry in Tyrol and increasing its visibility both regionally and nationally.

* incl. members who participate in more than one Tyrolean cluster

World Champion Austria Vorarlberg

Vorarlberg – export champion and great innovator Austria’s westernmost province has a high industrial ratio and is among Europe’s top 20 business locations.

oday, Vorarlberg ranks as one of the strongest economic regions in Europe. Its extremely high economic strength is based on a rate of industrialisation above average combined with competitive trade, numerous innovative craft businesses and an effective tourist industry (e.g. Lech am Arlberg as the number one Alpine destination). Vorarlberg’s annual export volume of 43,000 euros per employed person places the region far above such strong export countries as Switzerland or Germany, according to the ABA - Invest in Austria, the national investment promotion agency of the Austrian Business Agency (ABA). This high export ratio is the result of the regional economy’s clear focus on new products, processes and services, which makes it possible to gain market shares even in saturated markets. Such power in innovation is also exemplified by patent statistics: Vorarlberg regularly ranks among Europe’s top five regions in terms of the number of patent applications filed with the European Patent Office per million inhabitants.

Business location Vorarlberg – what is the current focus and what is the focus in the long run? Despite of the crisis, we expect that the economy will remain focused on specialisations and everyone will concentrate on what they do best. In our case, the highly automated production of goods and their sale on international markets. Alongside the highest industry ratio, Vorarlberg also has the highest export ratio in Austria. That is the current focus in Vorarlberg and will remain so in the future. Of course, it is true that the production industry is undergoing drastic change and becoming increasingly digitised. Here I would like to mention Industrie 4.0, the digitisation and integration of whole value-added chains, or the increasingly higher automation. I see this as a big opportunity. Digitisation can bring us a benefit in securing the production location as well as its added value. This is also our outlook in the long run. Alongside digital business models, of which there are increasing numbers, we make sure that the existing industries remain competitive. For this, you need research, inJimmy Heinzl, Managing Director of Wirtschafts-Standort Vorarlberg GmbH Photo: Studio Wälder

Vorarlberg in numbers “Vorarlberg is a successful business location and counts as one of the Top 20 locations in Europe. One of the reasons for this is the high grade of industrialisation in the region. Industry is responsible for around 30

percent of the regional added value,” says Jimmy Heinzl, Managing Director of the business agency Wirtschafts-Standort Vorarlberg GmbH. This makes us curious so we asked a few questions …

Photo: Marcel Hagen

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Measuring electromagnetic radiation at Bachmann Monitoring, a leading supplier of surveillance systems for wind energy plants

Vorarlberg’s advantages

Job market and economic structure

c Strategically beneficial location in the midst of Europe’s strongest economic regions c Advanced infrastructure, also for the transport of goods and individuals c Business sites as professional technology and impulse centres c High availability of skilled and motivated staff c Above-average productivity c Relatively low energy prices (e.g. electricity) c Great range of funding opportunities due to a healthy regional banking sector c Professional local supply industry c Attractive economic promotions for innovation and investment projects c Efficient administration with short distances and no red tape c Business-friendly environment c High quality of life, numerous sports and leisure opportunities

c Total number of jobs (Statistical Yearbook 2019

Source: ABA Invest In Austria.

194,064

c Jobseekers (annual average 2018)

9,492

c Unemployment rate (2018)

5.4%

c Members at the Economic

Chamber1 26,328

c Gross value added at manufacturer’s prices in mln euros (2017)

15,638

c Gross regional product in mln euros (2017)

17,532

c Gross regional product per capita in euros2 (2017) 44,900 c Material goods production in mln euros (2018)

13,869

c Material goods production per capita in mln euros2 (2018)

32,151

c Industrial production in mln euros (2018)

8,264

c Building production in mln euros (2018); structural engineering

942

c Trade production in mln euros (2018)

3,072

c Overnight stays (summer 2018 + winter 2018/19) 9,054,026 c Exports in mln euros (2018)

10,491

as of 31 December 2018 , per Inhabitants Source: Statistics Austria, Association of Social Security Institutions, Austrian Economic Chamber, Province of Vorarlberg, AMS 1

World Champion Austria Vorarlberg

The Province of Vorarlberg has developed a digital agenda which serves as a strategic work programme to support and to help shape the structural digital change. DigitaliSpeaking of which, what sation is a far-reaching topic does Vorarlberg do specifically that goes beyond economic in the areas of research and deissues. velopment? In my opinion, the key to Research and development is digitisation is education. If we essentially the basis of the commanage to impart digital petitive ability of Vorarlberg’s knowledge already in preeconomy. Research and develschools and schools, digitaliopment is spurred on strongly sation will pretty much come by the companies – 80 percent by itself. For this, we need a of the expenditure for research broadband infrastructure and and development is carried by similar basic pre-requisites, of the companies themselves with course. But foremost, we need internal research and developTasty automation at bakery Rudolf Ölz Meisterbäcker in Dornbirn digital natives in our workment departments. All leading force, which we need to train in our schools. companies from Vorarlberg have them. The companies carry out applied research primarily, where an eye is always kept on the How is Vorarlberg doing when it comes to climate change? product and the market. This makes us very successful. As a region When it comes to climate targets, Vorarlberg is a trailblazer in with a very efficient implementation of research investment as well sustainability, energy efficiency and e-mobility. It is one of Ausas an above average number of patent applications, every euro is tria’s first regions to pledge itinvested well. self to climate neutrality. This is proven not only by the purAnd how about science? “Research and development are basically the founsuit of energy autonomy in There is access to scientific redation of Vorarlberg’s competitiveness.” Vorarlberg but also the sucsearch on the one hand at recess of the local Ecofit proJimmy Heinzl search facilities such as Camgramme. The Ecofit propus V of the FH Vorarlberg gramme is not as successful College of Applied Science and anywhere else as it is in Vorarlberg. the Research Institute for Textile Chemistry and Textile Physics at In terms of our economy this means that we are going to put the University of Innsbruck in Dornbirn, and on the other hand at the focus on new ecological markets and products in the future. cross-regional research centres. Vorarlberg’s economy is cooperatThere is a number of examples – from heat pumps to recyclable ing intensively with cross-regional research centres, in particular in plastic bottles and cradle-to-cradle products in the textiles industerms of digitisation. The field of data science would be a good try – that show how companies from Vorarlberg create marketable example where we work with cross-regional centres such as the and resource-efficient products from sustainable ideas. SustainaAIT Austrian Institute of Technology. ble economic activities are surely something we need to expand on in the future. And Vorarlberg’s economy is going to tackle this You mentioned digitisation. What is happening in this area, or challenge. rather, what should be done? Photo: Weissengruber+Partner

novation, innovative as well as more and more digital products in order to remain competitive on the international market.

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are many companies that have good customer relations to Switzerland and want to be close to their customers while remaining in the EU domestic market. Vorarlberg is ideal for such companies. Furthermore, the high labour productivity and people’s high willingness to go the extra mile is another reason to settle in Vorarlberg. ◆

Partner of Vorarlberg‘s businesses WISTO (Wirtschafts-Standort Vorarlberg GmbH) is a service organisation that aims to promote innovations in Vorarlberg’s economy. Shareholders are the regional government, Hypo Landesbank Vorarlberg and the Economic Chamber of Vorarlberg. WISTO sees itself as partner of local companies in an unbureaucratic and flexible way. It offers orientation, sets stimuli and offers background support. WISTO (Wirtschafts-Standort Vorarlberg GmbH) http://www.wisto.at

Foto: Matthias Rhomberg

We saved the crucial question to last: Why should companies settle in Vorarlberg? Having been a production location for a very long time, we have all the necessary know-how here. Vorarlberg is a place that offers core expertise in developing new, modern, digital products. We have all the necessary pre-requisites for this. And we have them because our educational system is geared towards this expertise. The dual education consisting of schooling and an apprenticeship is a good example. These are the reasons why new companies find Vorarlberg interesting. Another one is the fact that thanks to this knowhow we are able to make highly automated goods that are internationally competitive. Another incentive for settling in Austria’s westernmost province is its favourable strategic location. Vorarlberg sits in the midst of one of the world’s strongest economic regions and is directly adjacent to sales markets with a high purchasing power. This is another significant advantage. This region of four countries – Austria, Germany, Switzerland and Liechtenstein – is the reason for our economy’s internationality. We are an interesting location for companies from Switzerland in particular due to our access to the EU domestic market. Many Swiss companies use our geographic proximity to place their EU-subsidiaries here. At the same time, there

The Zumtobel Group from Dornbirn created the industry’s largest light forum with 4,000 sqm of space.

World Champion Austria Textile industry

The perfect combination of tradition and innovation Vorarlberg is a global hotspot for the development and production of fine fabrics and smart textiles.

Photo: Jens-Ellensohn

he textile industry may have lost its position as a leading sector over the last few decades – machinery construction has been occupying the top spot with a 50 percent share – but the production of fabrics, ribbons and lace is still essential to Vorarlberg as a business location. This ranges from traditional products and increasingly towards smart textiles as a key technology. The textile industry realised a long time ago that the future can be found in the combination of fabrics and electronics. The trailblazers of this new line of business were a few embroidery companies that set up the “Smart Textile Platform” twelve years ago; by now, up to 50 businesses and research institute from Austria and abroad have joined forces.

Physics added a second professorship with the focus on textile composite materials and technical textiles,” explains Andreas Staudacher from the Vorarlberg Economic Chamber. The type of products that are being researched ranges from sensor chairs and battery storage technology to lightweight carbon composite materials and textile concrete. The Smart Textile Platform has already developed a number of market-ready products with sensors from Vorarlberg such as the WISBI mattress protector that detects wetness and movement, the smart insoles by Stapp One or the QUS sensor sports short by SanSirro.

Smart textiles and technical fabrics ... By now, about 50 percent of the added value of the Vorarlberg Technical fabrics make up about half of Vorarlberg’s textile production. textile industry is made up of technical fibres – a success story that wants to be continued. The Innovative key technology Textile Competence Centre Vorarlberg 2 (TCCV2) is set to open in “This commitment has led to several technology corporations such April 2021. In addition to the Republic of Austria and the Province as Google, Amazon and Microsoft becoming customers of textile of Vorarlberg, the partners involved include businesses from Vorarlcompanies from Vorarlberg. Research and development has also berg and other provinces, foreign businesses from Germany, Switincreased. A textile competence centre has been set up in Dornbirn, zerland, Italy, Spain and Great Britain as well as scientific research for example, and the Research Institute of Textile Chemistry and

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bodies. Governor Markus Wallner sees the cooperation with research-oriented foreign partners and the corresponding internationalisation as a major step towards having the competence centre recognised as a textile Comet Centre (K1) in the long run. Competence Centres for Excellent Technologies (COMET) is a central funding programme of the Austrian technology policy. 5.1 million euros across the initial project duration from 2021 to 2025 have been allocated for the Textile Competence Centre Vorarlberg 2; half the amount comes from the participating businesses. The TCCCV2 projects will focus on sustainability, in particular degradable fibres for geotechnical textiles, sportswear and work wear, hygiene, medical applications and energy saving technology.

Photo: Marcel-Hagen-Studio

… is gaining in importance Technical textiles are playing an increasingly important role at Getzner and the business division includes fabrics for various uses such as industrial applications, protective wear for emergency personnel, outdoor fashion, sports equipment, sun protection and acoustic textiles. Over the last few years, the company made extensive investments into knowhow, infrastructure and resources under the umbrella brand Getzner Technics. In addition to the headquarters in Bludenz, Bayreuth in Germany with the two subsidiaries SR Webatex and Blaha Textil veredelung has become an important location in this field. About 15 percent of turnover – which amounted to 375 million euros in 2018 – is generated by technical textiles. The business unit Mobility with fabrics for seat covers for buses, railways and cars generates the same amount of turnover. The business unit Shirting is relatively small with five percent of turnover but it serves major fashion brands such as Hugo Boss, Ted Baker, WalThe “Boubou”, a fine outfit from shiny busch, Olymp and Tiger of SweWestern Africa.

den as well as numerous corporate fashion companies that trust the quality and look of the premium fabrics for shirts and blouses. Getzner has also extended its Eco Soft product range to follow the trend of more ecology in fashion. The sustainably manufactured organic cotton-based product collection now also offers the complete spectrum of possibilities offered by its other collections. Besides plain-coloured fabrics, the Eco Soft collection now also includes checked, textured, multicoloured and dobby weave versions. “With the numerous different versions, we are making a host of new possibilities for designing attractive and at the same time more sustainable fabrics available to designers,” says Gerhard Leitner, head of the Getzner Textil Shirting business unit. The new finishes developed by Getzner make it possible to manufacture the organic cotton-based products without the use of synthetic resin, formaldehyde and silicones, yet they are still of the same usual high quality – as evidenced by the laboratory values. “The designers and the customers can enjoy a beautiful and sensitively manufactured product that also meets high quality standards. This level of sustainability is only available from Getzner,” says Gerhard Leitner. Sustainability and environmental protection are deeply ingrained in Getzner’s corporate culture. In fact, this can be said about Vorarlberg’s textile industry in general. “Our staff is working hard every day to improve our environmental performance across all our sites. We are therefore delighted that our customers and partners pay more and more attention to sustainability and our environment,” says Roland Comploj, CEO of Getzner. “It is hard to tell how this mind shift will eventually affect the markets considering the current situation with the Covid-19 pandemic. But we are confident that our know-how and our high-quality goods from sustainable production will also be jacquard, is considered a status symbol in in high demand in the future.”

World Champion Austria

Getzner saw the potential of embroidered electronics early on.

Flying high for more than 150 years Africa, in particular Nigeria, is also an important sales market for embroidery companies from Vorarlberg who have not forgotten their roots in fashion despite all the research of high-tech applications in various smart textile projects. The art of making lace in Vorarlberg dates back to the year 1869 and did not only influence the region’s economy significantly, but also – and this is quite remarkable – the clothing style in a faraway region.

Photo: Hoferhecht

Photo: Ze Takahashi Catwalkpictures

Highly export-oriented Getzner’s most important sales market with a share of about 70 percent is the fashion industry in Western Africa. This success story emerged from a veritable crisis. “In 1976 we saw a drop in demand for jacquard fabrics due to a rise in prints and general market changes. Back then, our company was making foremost bedding and fashion fabrics and we suffered greatly from this development,” Comploj recounts. “So, one of our staff – who is today the head of our business unit Africa – travelled to Africa in search of new sales markets. He discovered a huge demand in jacquard fabrics there and sold about two million metres within the shortest amount of time. The rest is history.” And now a new chapter is being written. At the end of 2018, Getzner opened a showroom for its extensive Africa Collection in Lustenau. It was met with great interest and brought additional income to the business unit Africa. This new sales channel reaches foremost customers who only need relatively small amounts of fabrics. This includes small designers from Africa but also from Europe and the United States.

Photo: Udo Mittelberger

Textile industry

Photo: Jens Ellensohn

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Trendsetters for the African upper class… When the Nigerian independence movement started at the end of the 1930s, local traditions received more attention. And when independence was ultimately gained in 1960, local clothing style were in fashion – some of them re-interpreted or even made up from scratch. The products of lace manufacturers from Vorarlberg, who were looking for export markets at the time, met the taste of Nigerians due to their lightness but also their colourfulness and their opulence. The Aso Ebi tradition in particular contributed massively to the distribution, marketing and use of embroideries in Nigeria. Aso Ebi is a family clothing worn by large groups at social events. Often, up to several hundred people will wear the same outfit, which has been made from customised fabrics. “One recipe for success for the companies from Vorarlberg was that they sent representatives straight to Lagos to create personal ties with dealers in Nigeria instead of relying on intermediates,” Staudacher explains. The close business ties from back then are often still around

today. However, nowadays companies from Vorarlberg no longer serve the mass market as Nigeria begun to increasingly import cheaper fabrics from Asia in the early 1980s. Instead, they focus on the premium and luxury segment which is accessible to only a small yet very affluent group. In 2010, the export volume of Vorarlberg’s embroidery industry – about 100 companies with 350 staff – amounted to 60 million euros. Today, the volume is at 31 million euros with an export ratio of 90 percent.

Photo: Alexandra Folie/WISTO

“Today’s clothing styles that are considered traditional in Nigeria have only been around since the 1960s. Before, there were hardly any embroideries in Nigeria,” Staudacher says. When the country was a British colony, Nigerians used to wear European clothing for festive occasions, showing their education, urbanity and Christian faith.

High-quality face masks have been developed in Vorarlberg in a short amount of time.

World Champion Austria

Photo: Textible

… and European luxury brands One of the companies that is doing a lot of business in Africa is Stickerei Hoferhecht, founded in 1880. “About 70 percent of our turnover falls into this segment, which is not only the biggest but also considerably more stable than our business with international fashion brands and designers who depend strongly on quickly changing fashion trends,” says Managing Director Selma Grabher. Right now, embroideries can be rather found among discounters and less so in the high-end segment. Sooner or later this is going to change again, though, and Grabher believes there will still be a demand for exquisite embroideries and elaborate fabrics with rhinestones and sequins from the Lustenau-based family business. It counts some of the most-renowned luxury brands such as Chanel, Dior, Armani and Oscar de la Renta but also smaller designer labels that specialise in sumptuous bridal dresses and evening dresses among its most loyal customers. In addition to Hoferhecht’s own collection, the company’s expertise in custom-made designs that require special know-how plays an important role in being a successful supplier for the luxury segment.

Texible detects wetness and movement thanks to sensors from Vorarlberg.

Photo: Andreas Staudacher

Textile industry

“The Smart Textile Platform Austria and the various projects of the Research Institute of Textile Chemistry and Physics have already brought about a number of products and start-ups.” Andreas Staudacher

Face masks from Vorarlberg The textile industry from Vorarlberg has proven its great innovative capacity and quick adaptability once more during the coronavirus crisis: The Grabher Group, Bandex, Getzner Textil, the embroidery company Hämmerle, Wolford and Tecnoplast have joined forces in order to manufacture certified, premium surgical face masks in Vorarlberg. “Depending on the filtration performance there are different types of masks. Thanks to an additional fleece component, the medically certified face masks achieve 95 percent filtration, which equals the quality of type FFP2 masks,” says Günter Grabher, Managing Director of Grabher Group and initiator of the cooperation. “Therefore, we provide excellent protection for doctors, nurses and emergency personnel.” It is to be seen, however, whether the masks from Vorarlberg will be able to stay on the market when production in Asia resumes and mandatory mask-wearing is eased further. Another factor will be whether the pandemic will really lead to more sustainable purchasing i.e. strengthening the domestic added value chain and focusing more on quality instead of the lowest price. ◆

World Champion Austria

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Companies introduce themselves

Internom is setting standards all across Europe From the beginnings with UPVC windows to today’s timber/aluminium, high-tech and high-design innovations – the Austrian company has been a market leader for decades.

Europe’s leading window brand Internorm has been a pioneer and leader in the production of windows since the very beginning. Founded in 1931 as a metal construction factory, the company was the first to produce UPVC windows in Austria in 1963. For decades, Internorm has been the Austrian market leader in the segments of UPVC windows, UPVC/aluminium windows, timber/aluminium windows, windows for low-energy and passive houses, entrance doors, blinds

Facts & Figures Internorm, Europe’s leading window brand, received the German Innovation Award 2020 in the category “Winner” for its new UPVC/aluminium window KF 520. In addition, Internorm won the international MUSE Design Award in Gold for this premium window. These awards prove that Internorm’s new generation of windows combine innovative design with technological expertise in a trailblazing way. The window’s casement houses the revolutionary I-tec Secure locking system, which makes it almost impossible to pry open the window. Internorm International GmbH Ganglgutstraße 131, 4050 Traun Tel. +43 7229 / 770-0 www.internorm.com

Photo: Internorm

Being Europe’s leading internationally operating window brand, Internorm offers its customers trend-setting solutions for windows and doors of the highest standard. Since its establishment in 1931, the family business from Traun in Upper Austria has produced more than 25 million windows and doors. The pioneer of UPVC windows became a technology and innovation leader in its industry a long time ago; today it is a renowned supplier of premium timber/aluminium systems and employs 1,906 people. Together with about 1,300 sales partners in 21 countries, the company keeps extending its leading position on the European market.

and insulation glass, as well as being Europe’s leading window brand. The product range not only includes window and door systems but also solar protection and insect screens. In 2019, the company recorded a turnover of 371 million euros with its 1,906 employees (full-time equivalent). The window and door systems are fully developed and produced in three state-of-the-art factories in Austria. Internorm is keeping the overall conception of window and door systems inhouse – from research and developing to extrusion, the insulation glass production, the latest production technologies and logistics systems. Internorm develops its own window casement and frame designs and even customised fitting systems independently from system suppliers. Despite operating all over Europe, Internorm believes strongly in Austria as a business location: “We are an internationally operating company but we are producing our premium products exclusively in Austria,” says co-owner Christian Klinger.

World Champion Austria Upper Austria

Upper Austria is a top business location in Central Europe Dynamic, innovative, highly skilled – in order to keep these attributes, the province has launched the strategy #upperVISION2030.

pper Austria is one of the most dynamic business locations in the heart of Europe and an Austrian leader in export, technology and industries. When it comes to the innovation ratio, the province’s companies are among Europe’s best. And innovations in particular are the motor for a successful restart after this year’s Covid crisis. “There is going to be a post-corona reshuffle in the competition among business locations and Upper Austria can score with its innovative capacity,” says Werner Pamminger, Managing Director of Business Upper Austria, the Upper Austrian business agency. The province has launched the business and research strategy #upperVISION2030 to make Upper Austria a Europe-wide economic high-flyer by 2030. In order to reach this target in the face of stiff competition among business locations, the regional government is going to invest one billion euros in economic and research subsidies over the next ten years. The strategy will focus on four central pillars:

c Digital transformation c Efficient and sustainable industry and production sectors c Systems and technologies for people c Connected and efficient mobility Business location Upper Austria Werner Pamminger from Business Upper Austria outlines the province’s strong points: Where does Upper Austria stand out as a business location? Why should a company settle in Upper Austria? Upper Austria offers highly-skilled staff, a first-rate infrastructure and an excellent innovation and research network with currently eleven technology centres, an education network with four universities, four universities of applied sciences with 68 courses, two colleges of education and two big centres for adult education. Upper Austria benefits from its central geographic location, border-

Business Upper Austria is the province’s port of call in all things concerning Upper Austria as a business location. It is a driver of innovation and point of contact for all business from Austria and abroad, offering tailor-made solutions for their investment and innovation projects. Business Upper Austria plays an active role in shaping the business and research policies in Upper Austria. Business Upper Austria OÖ Wirtschaftsagentur www.biz-up.at

Photo: Egbert Padhuis/Go-Install

Contact Business Upper Austria

CTC partner business PicoEnergy: heat pump solutions for the Netherlands

Photo: Amag

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With a recycling ratio of 75 to 80 percent on average for its material components, AMAG is basically the world champion in recycling and a specialist in rolling mills.

Education and research in Upper Austria

Job market and economic structure 2019

Universitäten

c Total number of jobs c Apprentices c Jobseekers (annual average)1 c Unemployment rate1 c Members at the Economic Chamber c Business formations2 c Gross value added in mln euros (2018) c Gross regional product in mln euros (2018) c Share in the Austrian GDP (2018) c Gross regional product per capita in euros (2018) c Foreign trade in mln euros (Q1+Q2)

c Johannes Kepler University Linz c University of Art and Design Linz c Catholic Theological Private University Linz c Anton Bruckner Private University Linz

Colleges of applied science

675,417 23,294 34,052 4.8% 98,886 5,440 58,841 65,850 17.1% 44,600

FH Oberösterreich University of Applied Sciences Upper Austria c Campus Linz – health and social sciences c Campus Hagenberg – information, communication, media c Campus Wels – technology, life sciences c Campus Steyr – business management

c Imports

15,199

c Exports

19,971

Postgraduate courses

c Patent issuances nationally (2018)

c Limak Austrian Business School GmbH Source: ABA Invest in Austria.

c Tourism overnight stays (x 1,000)

8,544 250

1 national calculation, 2 preliminary number Source: Statistics Austria, Association of Social Security Institut i o n s , A u s t r i a n E c o n o m i c C h a m b e r, P r o v i n c e o f U p p e r A u s t r i a , AMS

WeltMeister Österreich Oberösterreich

a business and research location, the regional government already launched guidelines for digitisation in 2016. This initiative is coordinated by Business Upper Austria, which oversees the guidelines’ implementation. Staff’s digital know-how is So, is Upper Austria as a an essential factor for success business location in high dein digital transformation. Busimand or rather an insider’s tip? ness Upper Austria offers indiThe success stories of Business vidual qualification and conUpper Austria show that our sultation services such as province is indeed in high de“digital competence & IT semand when it comes to busicurity”, which is subsidised ness settlements. In 2019, we by the unemployment agency implemented investment pro“Upper Austria is a trailblazer in European cluster AMS and the Department of jects to a volume of 620 million policy. More than 2,000 partners are members of Economy at the regional goveuros, creating 2,795 new jobs. ernment. We support busiOur department for investment the Upper Austrian clusters.” nesses, staff and jobseekers and business location manageWe r n e r P a m m i n g e r on their way into the digital ment has worked on 160 new Managing Director of Business Upper Austria age with numerous actions settlement and investment prosuch as trainings, consultajects. Almost 50 thereof do not tions and an exchange of experiences with other companies. 100 come from Upper Austria. This goes to show that Upper Austria Upper Austrian businesses already benefit from this tailor-made takes up a top position by regional comparison. training programme. As of 1 January 2020, there are also specialThis year we already added 55 new settlement and investment ist subsidies for investments into IT security for hardware, softprojects, which will create in turn another 1,062 jobs. ware and staff training. Another action of ours is the initiative #IT_rocks. In order to meet Upper Austria used to be called a “country of clusters” – does the demand in skilled works in information technology we need to that term still apply? arouse interest for IT jobs in children and youths from an early age. Definitely. The close ties within our province continue to be an esTo achieve this, we launched this initiative with the Department of sential factor of success for businesses from Upper Austria. Upper Economy at the regional government. It will show pupils the various Austria is a trailblazer when it comes to European cluster policy. education and career opportunities in the IT sector. More than 2,000 partners are members of the Upper Austrian clusters. There is the automotive cluster, the medical technology clusWhat does Upper Austria do when it comes to research and ter, the plastics cluster, the furniture and timber construction development? cluster, the mechatronics cluster, the Cleantech cluster, the IT Our goal as a business, industry and research location is a holistic cluster and the foodstuff cluster. one. We want to press ahead with the development of products, services and technologies and eventually have more founding, reDigitisation is still a buzzword of our times. What is the Upper searching, technology-oriented and exporting business in Upper Austrian business agency doing in this field? Austria. In order to prepare Upper Austria for the digital transformation as Photo: BusinessUpperAustria

ing Germany and the Czech Republic. Our extensive traffic infrastructure of roads, railways and waterways make our province also an outstanding business location in terms of logistics.

Photo: Land Oberösterreich/Max Mayrhofer

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Joining forces for #upperVISION2030 to make Upper Austria a high flyer: President of the Upper Austrian Chamber of Labour Johann Kalliauer; Regional Minister of Economy and Research Markus Achleitner; Governor Thomas Stelzer; President of the Upper Austrian Economic Chamber Doris Hummer and Joachim Haindl-Grutsch, Managing Director of the Federation of Upper Austrian Industries

The decisive move is to turn research results quickly into economic applications. Therefore, our business and research strategy moves along the innovation chain of research/science – economy – higher education. What does Upper Austria do to reach climate targets? Upper Austria has drawn up the action plans “efficient and sustain-

able industry & production” as well as “connected and efficient mobility”. Together with all the topics surrounding these areas, Upper Austria is on the right path to being a liveable and sustainably acting industrial region in which climate protection takes up a central role. Our businesses are implementing trendsetting cooperation projects within the various clusters. ◆

A trendsetting cooperation project: CTC Cleantech Cluster and NEFI The model region New Energy for Industry (NEFI) aims to develop and demonstrate solutions for intelligent, safe and affordable energy systems for the future with innovative technologies from Austria. The NEFI innovation association is a consortium of the AIT Austrian Institute of Technology, the University of Leoben, the Upper Austrian Energy Saving Association and the business location agency Business Upper Austria, combing their extensive experience in the fields of energy research and the implementa-

tion of projects. Together, these organisations want to show the way to fully decarbonise the production sector and energy-intensive industries. NEFI is a “Model Region Energy”, subsidised by the Climate and Energy Fund. New Energy for Industry CTC Cleantech-Cluster www.nefi.at www.cleantech-cluster.at

World Champion Austria Computer science

Austrian heads global computer association Computer scientist Gabriele Kotsis of the JKU was elected president of the Association for Computing Machinery.

Photo: Gebhart de Koekkoek

Starting on 1 July 2020, Professor Gabriele Kotsis, computer scientist at the Johannes Kepler University in Linz (JKU) will serve as head of the Association for Computing Machinery (ACM). ACM is the world’s largest scientific computer society, bringing together computer scientists at companies, in academia and in the educational sector from around the globe. One of the ACM’s best-known activities is organising the Turing Award, the highest recognition for computer scientists. It is comparable to the Nobel Prize or the highest scientific recognition for mathematicians, the Fields Medal. Kotsis’ opposing candidate was Google Vice-President Elisabeth Churchill. Gabriele Kotsis considers being elected president as international recognition for computer sciences at the Johannes Kepler University of Linz and remarked: “Just being nominated was a great, very unexpected honour. My opponent at Google is very well-known and I did not have high expectations. This is all the more reason to be thrilled that I, a JKU scientist and Austrian, will be the first non-Anglo-American president.” JKU Rector Meinhard Lukas also believes Kotsis’ election confirms the JKU’s forward-thinking strategies: “Trailblazers move away from comfortable and familiar paths in order to forge new paths. At the JKU, we support the courage and willingness to think outside of the box and bring about innovation. This environment and a constant willingness to innovate creates people

like Gabriele Kotsis who have a formative influence beyond this country’s borders.” During her term as president, Kotsis wants to focus more on the know-how and expertise of the ACM members. “No other area has more influence to shape the coming times and future technologies,” the JKU researcher emphasises. “Worldwide problems must be tackled globally and independent from individual interests. Whether it’s climate change, medical research, or preserving democracy: the ACM has the potential to be an ethical pioneer in all areas of computer science.” ◆

About Professor Gabriele Kotsis Born in 1967, Gabriele Kotsis studied business informatics in Vienna, also earning her doctorate degree there with distinction. She has been at the JKU since 2002, heading the Institute for Telecooperation. Gabriele Kotsis also served as Vice-Rector for Research between 2007 and 2015. As a founding member of ACM Europe, she has received numerous awards for her research, including the „femtech Expert / Researcher of the Month“ and the Heinz Zemanek Award of the Austrian Computer Society for outstanding scientific research in the fields of computer science and related disciplines.

World Champion Austria

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Companies introduce themselves

RUAG Space: Austrian hi-tech for the sun and the moon Austrian technology is on the way to the sun: In February 2020 a European space mission took off, travelling to the centre of our solar system – the sun. Technology from RUAG Space Austria made this project possible. The satellite’s heat protection was made in Berndorf. The insulation can withstand temperatures of up to 300 degrees Celsius and makes up the thermal system of the space probe Solar Orbiter together with a special shield. “When you are making heat protection for a mission to the scorching hot sun you are at the top of space technology. No wonder we are the European market leader for thermal insulation,” says Andreas Buhl, Country Manager of RUAG Space Austria. Space electronics for the Lunar Gateway RUAG Space also contributes significantly to the construction of a space station for astronauts on the way to the moon. Together with the Austrian high-tech company TTTech, RUAG Space is supplying NASA with electronics for the so-called Lunar Gateway. From 2024 onwards it will replace the International Space Station ISS as a stopover for missions to the moon and Mars. The

Photo: RUAG, Anna Rauchenberger

RUAG Space Austria is the country’s largest space company and supplies high-tech to missions to the sun and the moon.

“When you are making heat protection for a mission to the scorching hot sun you are at the top of space technology. No wonder we are the European market leader for thermal insulation.” Andreas Buhl, Country Manager of RUAG Space Austria

Facts & Figures RUAG Space Austria from Vienna is Austria’s largest space technology company with an annual turnover of about 45 million euros. The high-tech company equips satellites and launchers all around the world with electronics, mechanics and thermal insulation. RUAG Space is the European market leader in navigation receivers for the exact positioning of satellites and market leader in thermal insulation to protect satellites from extreme cold and heat in space. The company employs about 250 people at its sites in Wien-Meidling and Berndorf (Lower Austria), and is part of the international technology company RUAG International headquartered in Switzerland. RUAG Space GmbH Stachegasse 16, 1120 Vienna +43/1/801 99 www.ruag.com/space

technology from Austria allows the space station to transfer data as fast and safely as possible. “Working on a NASA project is an accolade for every space engineer,” says Buhl. “The cooperation of two Viennese companies shows that you can set new standards in space technology when you work together.” High-precision positioning of satellites RUAG Space also has a leading position in the market of precisely determining the position of satellites. “The accuracy of satellite data depends highly on the precision determination of a satellite’s position,” Buhl explains. RUAG Space has been providing hightech navigation receivers for decades to determine a satellite’s position in space up to only a few centimetres. There are currently 20 navigation receivers from RUAG Space in use, for example at environmental satellites from NASA and the European Space Agency ESA.

World Champion Austria Salzburg

Salzburg, the cradle of the domestic business location The quality of the tourism and culture sector in Salzburg is world-class. Research and development is also in the fast lane to success.

alzburg: Mozart, Mozartkugel, the Salzburg Festival, mountains and lakes, the Salzkammergut Region, even though the largest part belongs to Upper Austria and only a smaller part is located in the province of Salzburg. Due to the region’s vast salt deposits, also referred to as “white gold”, Salzburg was populated early on. The Celts brought a certain degree of affluence in the 6th Century B.C and in the Middles Ages it brought Salzburg’s Archbishops both wealth and influence. So, you could say that Salzburg is the cradle of Austria’s business location. Nowadays, the business location Salzburg offers a balanced mixture of hard and soft location factors. It combines highly skilled staff, state-of-the-art infrastructure, excellent quality of life and security – and all of that makes Salzburg particularly attractive to companies. We spoke to Walter Haas, Managing Director of ITG Innovation Services for Salzburg, about the future of Salzburg.

What is the focus on? Or in other words, where is Salzburg setting its priorities? A big change for the business location is the increased focus on issues of the future and the establishment of critical sizes and competences in the research system. Also building bridges from research into the economy and keeping and using the results in Salzburg. With the Science and Innovation Strategy 2025 we are concentrating on concrete and excellent focal points within the fields of specialisations such as life sciences, IT/ digitisation, smart materials, intelligent building and settlement systems, creative industries and service innovations. Specialisation also means that we cannot cover all areas within Walter Haas, Managing Director of ITG Innovation Services for Salzburg Photo: Wildbild

Which topics are at the forefront when it comes to Salzburg as a business location? Research and innovation are central topics for the development of the business location both in the short and the medium term. Salzburg is putting serious effort into this. As a result of the Science and Innovation Strategy 2025, which was decided by the regional government in 2016, a powerful im-

pulse and motivation boost was given to this issue. Since then, it is being implemented and invested in consistently. Companies, universities, research and education facilities are working closely with policymakers and authorities in order to reach the ambitious goals. Our strength lays in the climate of cooperation and working together in order to put our relatively small business location on solid ground. Instead of theorising about the business location and thinking like a large institution we are making quick decisions and have short decision making-processes.

Photo: Kästenbauer Ettl

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MedPhoton, one of the small yet excellent medical technology companies in Salzburg developed a computer tomography ring.

Education

Job market and economic structure

c Paris Lodron University Salzburg

c Total number of jobs

c College of Education Salzburg

c Apprentices

262,127 8,454

c University Mozarteum Salzburg

c Jobseekers (annual

c Paracelsus Medical Private University

c Unemployment rate2 4.6%

c Private Business University Schloss Seeburg

c Members at the Economic Chamber 45,944

c College of Applied Science Salzburg

c Business formations3 2,410

c University of Salzburg Business School

c Gross value added in mln euros (2018)

25,953

c Salzburger Bildungsnetz

c Gross regional product in mln euros (2018)

29,045

c IFM – Institute for Management c University Schloss Seeburg

average)2

c Share in the Austrian GDP (2018) c Gross regional product per capita in euros (2018)

12,694

7.5% 52,400

c Foreign trade in mln euros (Q1+Q2)

Research c Salzburg Research c ICTS Center Advanced Studies and Research in Information and Communication c ZGIS – Centre for Geoinformatics University of Salzburg c Academy of Sciences “Geographic Information Sciences“ Source: ABA Invest In Austria

c Imports

c Exports

c Tourism overnight stays (x 1,000) c Patent issuances nationally (2018)

6,809 5,298 29,971 48

1 2019 Data, 2 national calculation, 3 preliminary number Source: Statistics Austria, Association of Social Security Institut i o n s , A u s t r i a n E c o n o m i c C h a m b e r, P r o v i n c e o f S a l z b u r g , A M S

World Champion Austria Salzburg

The Science and Innovation Strategy 2025 was introduced in 2016. What has been done since then? Over 100 projects have been pursued as part of the Strategy and 80 million euros have been invested in Salzburg through it. This includes research foundation professorships from the Province of Salzburg in strategic fields such as data science, human computer interaction, or in biomedicine for the development of research and transfer centres for cancer, construction and materials research. We also increased the number of cooperation projects of the research facilities with companies. In total, we create around 180 research-based full-time jobs per year. It is really important that we make ourselves more visible in this area and showcase our expertise in addition to our very strong and internationally recognised tourism and culture sector. The efforts in research are starting to bear fruits, such as the settlement of the Ludwig Boltzmann Institute for Digital Health and Prevention at the Salzburg University Hospital.

Photo: Land Salzburg/Gerald Valentin

the region and will have to cooperate even closer with other locations.

Research project on the Ödenwinkelkees on the rock stability of permafrost

for small and medium-sized enterprises in their various stages of digitisation – from the first steps up to the implementation phase. Since the programme’s launch about a year ago, one hundred companies have applied with their projects and 80 were granted a Let us take a closer look at a few of these developments. How subsidy. About forty percent of them use the subsidy in order to is digitisation coming about in Salzburg? start digitisation and plan the first steps, more than half are already Some elements of the Science and Innovation Strategy are currentimplementing their projects. The overall investment volume of ly under evaluation and digitisation – the IT Masterplan – is one of these digitisation projects them. The Province of Salzburg, amounts to more than nine milthe Salzburg Economic Chamlion euros, which serve the furber, the ITG Innovation Servic“When it comes to research and innovation, we are ther development of our busies for Salzburg and other partputting the focus on specific issues such as expanding ness location. Salzburg’s Minisners launched a digitisation inbiogenic material research of wood.” try of Economic Affairs providitiative in 2016. Since then, a ed more than one million euros number of measures have been Walter Haas of this amount. implemented which are already bearing fruit. What can company founders expect from Salzburg? Some of them are the broadband expansion in Salzburg, which When it comes to establishing a company, we are cooperating is already at a top level within Austria, connecting science and closely with the incubation network Start-up Salzburg at startbusinesses, offering new university courses and promoting Salzup-salzburg.at, which was launched four years ago. It supports burg as a modern location for work and innovation. More informaknowledge- and technology-based start-ups from their first ideas tion on the latter can be found at digitalsalzburg.at. Various semiall the way through the pre-founding phase, an incubator and a nars and qualification workshops about digitisation have attracted mentoring programme. Universities and universities of applied thousands of participants. science are also important partners that try to spur enthusiasm for In addition to the Science and Innovation Strategy 2025, our entrepreneurial spirit among students and teachers. cornerstone is the Province’s subsidy programme Digital.Salzburg

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We are also working to improve the innovative mindset in Salzburg, setting up the right conditions and promoting a creative spirit. One example for this is the Startup Salzburg Demoday that also includes Western Austria and neighbouring Bavaria. The incubation programme Factory, run in cooperation with the Salzburg Economic Chamber, has already supported about thirty start-ups.

What is Salzburg doing for climate protection and how does it meet its climate targets? The Masterplan Climate and Energy 2030, available at salzburg. gv.at/salzburg2050 is part of the long-term Climate and Energy Strategy 2050. It will be the Province’s implementation programme for the next decade, which will be decisive for climate protection and the energy revolution. We are taking measures on a number of levels, from the expansion of solar power and environmental subsidies for businesses to the expansion of local public transport.

Photo: Scheinast

You mentioned start-ups, which usually depend on innovation – what does Salzburg do for innovators? When it comes to innovation, the creative industries and start-ups, we also have a lot to offer: The Pioneers’ Garage Salzburg will be the first innovation workshop with offices for inventors in Salzburg. We want to build a strong innovation network in our province by linking various regional players from the fields of education, science, research, economy and public sector organisation. The idea of a Pioneers’ Garage is to have a central innovation workshop within a radius of 60 kilometres. That way we want to meet the high regional demand that we notice with the increasing number of invest-

ments, the increasing number of new start-ups and the dynamic development of the research and technology sectors. Our new Open Innovation platform at openinnovation-salzburg. at aims to give our region and our businesses more access to innovation. We want to create a new innovation crowd and are implementing innovation challenges; a recent one dealt with innovations in the timber industry. This gives sectors and the entire business location a boost and creates new ideas.

The Faculty of Natural Sciences at the University of Salzburg offers 16 courses such as Medical Biology, Human-Computer Interaction, Science and Technology of Materials.

World Champion Austria

Photo: Marco Riebler

Salzburg

AustroCel produces bio-ethanol from wood sugar, a by-product when making pulp, which in turn comes from leftover wood in the timber industry.

Why should companies settle in Salzburg? Climate protection also plays an important role in the fields of Salzburg is a well-known top location. Many companies have their innovation, research and development. Is this also the case in Salzheadquarters in Salzburg, particularly from the automotive industry burg? and retail. Renowned companies such as Sony, Red Bull, Spar, BMW, When it comes to research and innovation, we are putting the foPorsche, Bosch, Hofer-Aldi, Lidl, DM and many more can be found cus on specific issues such as expanding biogenic material rehere. search of wood. The aim is to utilise by-products from the timber There are several other factors that speak for Salzburg: Our industry and to process biomass into material products such as geographic location near Munich and Upper Bavaria, the quick acchemical substitutes. One leading project is the new Salzburg cess to Vienna and Northern Italy, being along major European Center for Smart Materials (smartmaterials.at), which develops motorway and railway lines, Austria’s second largest airport, the new adaptive and intelligent surfaces and interfaces based on biexcellent broadband network. Salzburg also has a very positive ogenic resources. Supporting material development, we want to image internationally as a city of culture and trade fairs. Then there test the use of such materials in the increased digitisation and is the excellent quality of life and the ample opportunities for leisure connectivity of our environment. Compact and energy-efficient activities thanks to mountains, lakes, cultural offers, sports and a sensors and actuators are not only significant for Industry 4.0 but large number of highly skilled staff. Furthermore, we have six unialso in every interaction, in data gathering and in specific process versities and universities of apcontrols. plied science, the largest secSalzburg can generate new ondary college of engineering added value in a sunrise field “The Science and Innovation Strategy 2025 already in Western Austria and interafter putting Austria’s first secimplemented more than 100 projects, triggering inesting tertiary education offers ond-generation plant for the vestments of 80 million euros into our business locain fields such as life sciences, production of bio-ethanol into IT, multimedia and expert staff operation in Hallein. Austrotion.” for knowledge- and technoloCel’s pulp mill does not use Walter Haas gy-based businesses. potential food or feed as a raw Another reason to settle in material but wood sugar. This Salzburg is our slim bureaucracy with quick decision-making procan reduce the Austrian petrol consumption by about one percent cesses and good access to our innovation eco-system and our techand CO2 emissions by about 50,000 tonnes. These are innovative nology networks with other businesses and research facilities. The added value chains in the timber industry. Biogenic resources also revamped ITG as an innovation and location agency for Salzburg is take up a central role in life sciences in the field of medical biology. a one-stop-shop, which is appreciated by many companies and inThe eco-economy is therefore an important pillar of development vestors. ◆ for Salzburg.

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Innovation service and business location development

Research and development Examples from life sciences and digitisation

ITG Innovation Services for Salzburg is a regional innovation service for businesses, research institutes and regional players. It is an implementation partner for cluster networks, economic key areas and helps implement the Province of Salzburg’s technology and innovation policies.

c The Transfer Center for Extracellular Vesicles Theralytic Technologies (EV-TT), a cooperation of the Paracelsus Medical Private University and the University of Salzburg, was founded in 2019. Researchers at the EV-TT want to use vesicles to transport medication as the little cell structures can overcome many barriers within the human body. The Province of Salzburg and the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) provide additional subsidies through the Investment in Growth and Job (IJG) Programme.

ITG’s services are free of charge for all Salzburg-based businesses. It is open to companies from all sectors, with or without experience in innovation. Small and medium-sized enterprises in particular, who only have few resources for research and development, can benefit from ITG’s services. ITG – Innovations- und Technologietransfer Salzburg GmbH

Photo: Land Salzburg/Melanie Hutte

www.itg-salzburg.at

Observatory of the Central Institution for Meteorology and Geodynamics at Sonnblick

c The newly settled Ludwig Boltzmann Institute will do practical research combining health and digitisation. The main question is how digital applications can help patients with cardiovascular diseases.

World Champion Austria Lower Austria

Lower Austria – the province of entrepreneurs Internationality, innovation, digitisation and sustainability are the four key points in the economic strategy for this location.

Photo: Philipp Monihart

ower Austria is one of the most economically efficient regions in Europe and is recognised as an innovative as well as a strong export-orientated, high-tech location with excellent research infrastructure. Austria’s largest province excels due to its geographic location as well as its interconnectedness with Vienna. Lower Austria’s strong industrial tradition, particularly in the steel and metal processing industry and the chemical industry together with the flexibility of its entrepreneurs has enabled the region to benefit markedly from the opening of Eastern Europe. Lower Austria sees itself as a province for entrepreneurs according to the Economic Strategy Lower Austria 2020. Businesses in Lower Austria will find optimal framework conditions for their development and competitiveness. This includes the whole spectrum of relevant infrastructure from services right through to financial support. Though what is really being done for Lower Austrian businesses? We asked Lower Austrian Minister for Business, Tourism, Technology and Sports Jochen Danninger and Ecoplus Director Helmut Miernicki how the province is tackling the current challenges and how it will tackle future questions for the region.

“It is a matter of taking small and medium-sized enterprises into a new phase of innovation.” J o c h e n D a n n i n g e r, L o w e r A u s t r i a n M i n i s t e r f o r B u s i n e s s , To u r i s m , Te c h n o l o g y a n d S p o r t s

Without a doubt the past spring was very challenging. What did the Province of Lower Austria focus on in particular in order to strengthen its business location? Since the start of the Covid crisis we have implemented a large number of measures to help support businesses on their path through these challenging times. Two sets of measures were established together with social partners including the first package among provinces with us assuming liabilities for small and medium-sized enterprises, initiatives to strengthen the regional online trading, measures for sports, a 22 million euros tourism package, the authorisation of a further 100 million euros for the broadband

Photo: aeluftbilder.at/Ede

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Wieselburg is home to Lower Austria‘s latest technopole, an international centre for bio-energy, foodstuff and agricultural technology.

Lower Austrian technopoles

Job market and economic structure

Technopoles are centres where research, education and business synergies are created in one location. They are located around education and research facilities and utilise this favourable location as well as the technological and scientific know-how.

c Total number of jobs

c Krems – an international centre for health technology. Two local locations: Campus Krems and TFZ – Technology and Research Centre Krems

c Business formations3 8,042

c Apprentices

16,811

c Jobseekers (annual average)2 c Unemployment

629,613 50,745

rate2 7.5%

c Members at the Economic Chamber 135,357 c Gross value added in mln euros (2018)

54,526

c Gross regional product in mln euros (2018)

61,020

c Tulln – centre for bio-based technologies. Key areas: food and feed safety, bio-based process technologies and agrobiotechnology

c Share in the Austrian GDP (2018)

15.8%

c Wieselburg – an international centre for bio-energy systems and food and agricultural technology

c Imports

13,797

c Exports

11,641

c Wiener Neustadt – medical and materials technology: focus on materials, medical technology, surfaces, tribology (friction, abrasion, lubrication) and sensors/actuators Source: ecoplus

c Gross regional product per capita in euros (2018) 36,500 c Foreign trade in mln euros (Q1+Q2)

c Tourism overnight stays (x 1,000) c Patent issuances nationally (2018)

7,678 157

1 2019 data, 2 national calculation, 3 preliminary figures Source: Statistics Austria, Association of Social Security Institutions, A u s t r i a n E c o n o m i c C h a m b e r, P r o v i n c e o f L o w e r A u s t r i a , A M S

World Champion Austria Lower Austria

into a new phase of innovation. In order to achieve the following, four key aspects have been defined: Internationality, innovation, digitisation and sustainability. This means the central topics for our future have been placed in the focus of our work.

expansion in Lower Austria as well as presenting a digitisation package to the tune of 10 milion euros.

Photo: ecoplus

Can you go into more detail please? To be more specific, we have been able to help 206 Lower Austrian business owners How does digitalisation in tackle the Covid crisis during Lower Austria look in practical April and May with liabilities terms? What can companies exand deferred payments pect in this area? amounting to around 30 milDuring the pandemic it has lion euros as part of the NÖ been proven that digital tools Bürgschaften und Beteiligunare indispensable – from gen GmbH NÖBEG. Our webhome-office solutions through to online retailing. But digitalisasite “Niederösterreich wird nah versorgt“ was a big success. The tion in the economic sector is of course much more than online website lists all the offers and services from regional online retailing. During the crisis, it has paid off that we in Lower Austraders. When it started it had around 70 providers listed, now tria recognised the enormous future dimensions of digitalisation there are more than 1,400 providers listed. A further developvery early on and had started relevant activities to raise its ment, with which we have hit a nerve, is meinschaufenster.at, awareness. At the centre of our measures is the House of Digian app alternative for all stationary businesses that do not have talisation, which is being implemented in three phases. In the their own online presence. It became possible for these traders first phase, digital hubs were to carry out virtual sales talks created in order to link the with their customers via existing know-how. Phase WhatsApp. Over 300 busi“Many companies appreciate the great location in two started at the beginning nesses throughout Lower the centre of Europe, near to eastern European of 2019 with the virtual House Austria are registered with growth markets as well as the metropolitan areas of of Digitalisation, an interacthis service. In addition, furtive platform aimed at small Vienna and Bratislava” ther stimulatory measures are and medium-sized enterprises being developed in time for Helmut Miernicki, Managing Director of Ecoplus that are interested in digital autumn. technologies. Around 500 companies are already using the virtual House of Digitalisation. And looking at this in the long term, what will be the focus? By constructing a physical House of Digitalisation in Tulln, which With regards to the long-term planning, we have the Business is due to be completed in 2022, the existing digitalisation netStrategy 2025 since last year. This sets out our guidelines, which work will gain additional presence. The House of Digitalisation should help to push forward with our competitiveness and exwill become the central point of reference in Lower Austria. It pand. And despite the current crisis, we are continuing to bring will connect the real world with the digital world and will make these to life. The title of our business strategy is “Lower Austria, digitalisation come alive for everyone. Successful business as Province of Entrepreneurs. Quality with Future.” It is also our well as trailblazing international research would be unthinkable guiding principle, as it really explains our core strategy in a nutwithout digitalisation. shell. It is a matter of taking small and medium-sized enterprises

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programme we aim to strengthen the companies’ competitiveness, their added value and to secure jobs. In addition to digitisation, other future topics such as climate targets, climate protection and research and development are also highly important. What is the province doing in this regard? Research and development as well as digitisation are topics that also play a role in sustainability. We are convinced that economic growth and sustainability do not rule each other out – quite the opposite. Climate change is a challenge for us all, but at the same time it is an opportunity that is being used by many companies – think of e-mobility and green technologies. Ecoplus itself can offer a few examples: Many of our business parks are intercommunal business parks. That means that numerous municipalities cooperate with each other and as a result a profes-

Photo: ecoplus

Due to the Covid pandemic, digitalisation has gained further in importance. And it will continue to gain importance in future. Therefore, we are supporting small and medium-sized enterprises, entrepreneurs as well as start-ups more intensively in entering the digital world with a ten million euros stimulus package. The digitisation package titled “Digi4KMU” includes three specific measures. The first one is that companies can request a digital assistant to help identify starting points in their digitisation process. We support these with up to 60 hours of business consultations and 3,300 euros. We also support companies in creating digital concepts, by subsidising 50 percent of the costs up to 25,000 euros. And thirdly, we support digital investments, in other words the concrete realisation and implementation of digitalisation measures in companies. So, in total each company can receive support of up to 53,300 euros. With the Digi4KMU

The Business Park Wolkersdorf offer a first-class infrastructure: It is located along the A5 motorway, is only 1 kilometre from the railway station Wolkersdorf and it is of course close to Vienna.

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World Champion Austria

sionally managed, attractive industrial estate is created. This brings added value and jobs to the region, and people do not need to commute to other areas. This is also active climate protection. The infrastructure is put in place once and as a result less area is taken up, destination and origin traffic are concentrated in one place. And as we place great importance on transport connections, we try to remain away from residential areas wherever we can. Infrastructure measures nowadays often automatically leave a bad aftertaste, but building charging points for electric vehicles, which we are doing at our business parks, is also an infrastructure measure. At our business parks in Wolkersdorf and Kottingbrunn we offer a shuttle service to the public transport system. We offer companies individual rental objects that are tailored to the needs of the business and are energy-efficient. We also adapt existing objects according to climate protection criteria, which leads to their subsequent use. The restoration measures for our rental objects also abide by climate protection criteria. In addition to the reasons already mentioned, why should companies come and settle in Lower Austria? Many companies appreciate the great location in the centre of Europe, near to eastern European growth markets as well as the metropolitan areas of Vienna and Bratislava. But compared to those

Lower Austria – sustainable economic development The Lower Austrian business agency Ecoplus is a reliable partner for companies, investors and initiators of regional and international projects. It operates as an interface between businesses, politics and science. It offers tailored advice when it comes to available subsidies, possible business locations, business settlements and regional funding in Lower Austria. Ecoplus is also involved in the management of business parks and investments, implementing cross-border projects, developing clusters, technopoles and the House of Digitalisation. ecoplus. Niederösterreichs Wirtschaftsagentur GmbH www.ecoplus.at

Photo: Gerald Lechner

Lower Austria

Research at the Austrian Competence Centre for Tribology in Wiener Neustadt

two, Lower Austria offers more affordable premises. Some of the other advantages of our business location include good infrastructure, a wide range of educational facilities as well as a high quality of life. This is the feedback we as a business agency regularly receive from investors and these are assets for our location that make Lower Austria stand out from other economic areas. As part of the Ecoplus investor service, we offer a wide range of services throughout Lower Austria when it comes to questions surrounding business location and development projects. The focus is on location scouting and grants. An additional asset with regards to other international business locations are the 18 Lower Austrian business parks, which Ecoplus either owns or has an operating stake in. The advantages include modern infrastructure and large business premises on the one hand as well as having a port of call for all location-related questions on the other hand. The continually growing demand over the last years has led to a rising utilisation of our business parks. As a result, we have begun to implement measures to use the available space in our business parks for relocations. At IZ NÖ-Süd, for example, we have built a car park exclusively for the businesses located there. These measures only work in the short term, of course. In order to steer the development in the long term, we started a new strategy in 2018, which will create additional development possibilities for our business parks. One of the points in this strategy is the promotion of intercommunal business parks. ◆

Naturally you. We respect and value nature. From plants to people – body and mind. That is why we develop our sustainable, organic plant-based products in line with the highest quality standards. To help you activate your inner potential – in harmony with nature.

Deep Nature Project GmbH, Untere Hauptstraße 168, 7122 Gols, Österreich, +43 681 10139055, office@deep-nature.at, deepnatureproject.com

World Champion Austria Furniture industry

The office of the future comes from Lower Austria Just in time for the return of office life Bene is presenting a new furniture line and offers interesting insights into the latest trends.

Photo: Bene GmbH

“Challenge the Future of Work” report, which provides fresh insight t is obvious that work life is not only changing in factories and food for thought. thanks to technological advancements but also in offices. How they will change is up for debate though. Over the last few Artificial intelligence is considered a positive thing years, a number of studies and surveys were published, all One of the surveyed issues was the use of artificial intelligence. The with highly different results. They range from dystopian scenarios majority of people don’t see it as a threat but as a positive thing – were work is mostly done by machines and humans will become regardless of age, sex or how dynamic they consider their compaobsolete and unemployed, to optimistic outlooks that see the main nies. It is also interesting to note that artificial intelligence with use of artificial intelligence to make work easier and more pleasant. regards to an office environment is seen more positive than overall In 2018, Bene added the opinions of 40 international experts to the technologies of automation despite the majority of those surveyed latest findings and summarised them in its “Future of Work” report. believing that their employers are at best moderately prepared for There are four key areas: What will the interaction of humans and the changes that the use of artificial intelligence will bring about. machines look like? What does new work require from management Another surprise were the answers regarding the meaning and culture? How do people experience their work, which meaning does purpose of work. 73 percent of respondents want to contribute their it have to them? And the fourth area dealt with the architectural skills and want to identify with their company’s goals. This figure design of the workplace. is considerably higher than expected after the results of the first Since then, Bene conducted a number of further interviews with report. It was also surprising experts, customers and partthat the age of the respondents ners, hosted panel discussions played no role in this regard. and webinars, in order to take “In the first Future of Work rea closer look at the evolution of port we considered younger work and the rooms it takes people to play a special role,” place in from various perspecexplains Michael Fried, Managtives. ing Director of Bene. “We unTo explore these issues, toderlined that the Generation Y gether with the Karlsruhe Instihas particularly high demands tute of Technology (KIT) and of their employers. But we have the Fraunhofer Institute for to revise this assumption now. Systems and Innovation ReThe desire for self-expression search (ISI), Bene surveyed and personal development at 1,200 people from 34 countries work – know-why instead of about the current situation and know-how – seems to be a genthe future of work. The findings eral sign of times and not a The Parcs line launched a new era of an open, flexible office landscape in 2009. have been compiled in the new

Photo: Bene-GmbH

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Shielded by Bene allows for physical distancing without keeping people apart.

Ports received two design awards prior to its launch.

characteristic of a particular group. Staff members who spend the majority of their lifetime at companies expect more than ever to get convincing answers when asking why they are doing their work, our findings show.”

yet involuntary home office experiments. The discussions surrounding the future of office work and the role of remote work has gained a few interesting new aspects. Generally speaking, working from home has worked better than most people initially thought. A new survey from recruitment company Stepstone shows that more than half (53 percent) enjoyed working from home more than they thought they would. 41 percent said that they were working more effectively and were more productive, and 64 percent wish to work more often from home after the Covid crisis is over. However, Bene Managing Director Michael Fried does not fear that offices will cease to exist sooner or later: The lockdown also showed the drawbacks of the “nice new mobile working environment”. 42 percent of those surveyed by Stepstone said they were working more at home than in the office. 34 percent said they took fewer breaks and 36 percent considered it arduous to only communicate digitally. Almost a fifth (19 percent) believes that the lack of an ergonomic workplace at home may be detrimental for their health. Other problems are distracting family members, a lack of necessary equipment and no clear separation of work and leisure time. Based on the main occupations of all employed people in Austria, the Austrian Institute for Economic Research WIFO calculated a theoretical home office potential of about 45 percent in spring 2020.

Strict hierarchies make room for more flexibility The survey confirms, however, the trend of moving away from strict hierarchies to more democratic, open and flexible forms of organisation. 91 percent of respondents want to work as independently as possible without too many checks and guidelines from their superiors. Almost as many people – 86 percent – want their bosses to delegate responsibility, to bank on collaboration and participation. Flexibility in terms of where your work is done is also becoming more and more important. “A quiet place for focused working” is by far the most common answer when it comes to the question of what makes for a good working environment. “Regular physical meetings with the entire teams” comes second, followed by “space for informal chats”, “specific rooms for collaborations” and “communal events during work times”. “Constant virtual coordination” plays a subordinate role at best. These findings are particularly interesting with regards to the months-long measures caused by the Covid crisis. They show that a mixture of closeness and distancing is needed. This is underpinned by a number of surveys that dealt with the wide-ranging

World Champion Austria Furniture industry

Multifunctional, practical and stylish Going to the office being a privilege? If you look at the interior design of Bene’s office in Vienna’s city centre, then it doesn’t sound too far-fetched. It is bright, friendly and inspiring, separated into different zones that have been set up for various tasks. The new furniture line “Ports” is the office’s cornerstone. “The name Ports refers to the fact that the individual areas serve as multifunctional ports that cooperate in a network,” Fried explains. The line consists of three modules, Lounge, Table and Storage. At the first glance it looks similar to the “Parcs” line, which Bene launched in 2009 as a contrary concept to the angular and toned-down office furniture that was all the rage back then. By now, Parcs has become a classic. Ports, which was developed with internationally renowned designers Luke Pearson and Tom Lloyd, goes one step further by integrating multi-functionality directly into the furniture. Something that at first looks like a comfortable and chic lounge chair is also an office chair at the same time. The chair has a unique seat tilt mechanism allowing smooth transition from a relaxed, passive posture to a more upright, active position. The Ports Table can be converted in a flash from the traditional executive table into a desk, as a focal point for interaction and communication: The four-leg base of the table conceals a modern, electronic height adjustment mechanism, which transforms a workstation rapidly into the central point of an informal meeting. A power tray provides easy access to power and network connections. Ports Storage can serve as a private cloakroom with shelves, a mirror and refrigerator for individuals, or can be used functionally with an optionally integrated pinboard, shelf, whiteboard or a screen for teams. Award-winning design “Ports promises inspiring collaborative work and productive interaction, reflecting the high expectations of contemporary leadership. The pieces can be combined for optimal adaptability to the needs of individuals in a modern working environment,” says Fried. Design experts love the concept: Ports already received two renowned awards before its market launch – “Red Dot Design Award: Best of Best“ and the “iF Gold Award 2020“.

Photo: Bene GmbH/David Payr

“I don’t believe that working from home will replace working in an office completely any time soon,” Fried says. “But I think it is possible that in the future people may go to the office instead of having to go to the office.”

“Ports offers space for inspiring and productive teamwork while providing the necessary privacy.” Michael Fried

Furniture helps to keep social distance Ports can also help with an ongoing issue that is affecting the design of all offices: Keeping distance. This applies to all Bene furniture, however. “The question of how much closeness or distance is needed or necessary in an office has been there even before the Covid crisis,” Fried says. “It is something we look at intensively when designing our furniture. There are basically different factors at play, such as the cultural environment, corporate philosophy but also individual preferences and dislikes.” Right now, practical solutions are at the fore, of course: How can you combine a return to regular office life with the necessary hygiene and protection measures as well as health concerns. “The most important rule for working together is social distancing. But that isn’t always easy to follow in an office.” In order to help with social distancing, Bene developed the system “Shielded by Bene” during the Covid crisis. It is a transparent shield from premium acrylic glass, which comes in various sizes and

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can be placed vertically or horizontally, individually or in combination on desks, receptions, workplaces. It can also separate entire areas.

Photo: Bene-GmbH/Dominik Stixenberger

Furniture reduces stress Another innovation that Bene launched this year focused on reducing noise in open-plan offices. Without a doubt, noise is one of the main factors that leads to disruption and stress in open-plan office layouts. A new study carried out by the research project Office 21 of the Fraunhofer Institute for Industrial Engineering IAO on the topic of “smart office environments” confirms this. Bene’s Nooxs Think Tank, which was developed with PearsonLloyd just like the Ports line, ensures quietness. The up to 2.65 metres high, free-standing, room-in-room system creates privacy in the open-plan office. The smart room module can be assembled in no time at all and is entirely self-contained: with integrated lighting and a ventilation system, it has no permanent connection to the building. Another innovation in the Nooxs line, which was launched in 2019 and has a central place in Bene’s office, makes Fried particularly proud: Coffee Nooxs, created in cooperation with Swiss

Bene built an innovative break room around the latest Nespresso coffee machine.

coffee corporation Nespresso, centres around its latest coffeemaker Momento and turns a simple tearoom into a stylish meeting point. Furnished with a power connection and water tank, Coffee Nooxs can be used as a free-standing element without requiring any construction to install it. The design conceals a refrigerator and other support functions inside the body. Cups and glasses find a stylish home on the specially designed shelves and trays. The used dishes disappear on the small racks of a mobile caddy. The furniture can be moved to a new location at any time with little effort. “In designing Coffee Nooxs together, we have succeeded in merging expertise from our two different fields to create an optimal solution for creative exchange combined with the pleasure of drinking coffee at the workplace. The cooperation has made it possible to create innovative coffee furniture that meets the demands of the modern workplace and, like our coffee solutions, can be adapted precisely to the needs of the respective environment”, says Wolfgang Eberhardt, Director Nespresso Professional at Nespresso Austria. ◆

World Champion Austria Austria in space

Space research with Austrian technology When the European Space Agency sends one of its satellites into space it has technology from Austria onboard.

The use of Earth observation can help shed new light on social and economic changes currently taking place due to the coronavirus pandemic. ESA and the European Commission have been working with European industry to investigate innovative approaches to monitor the impact of coronavirus lockdowns using data from the European Union’s Copernicus Sentinels as well as other Earth observation capabilities such as the Euro Data Cube and the Copernicus Data and Information Access Services. Together, they have developed the RACE dashboard which uses information derived from the latest satellite data to help monitor the impacts of the coronavirus lockdown and recovery on a local, regional and global scale. The dashboard focuses on monitoring and analysing environmental parameters, such as air and water quality changes, agriculture productivity and economic activity (such as industrial production, construction and transport). It includes information derived from Earth observation satellite data provided by the Copernicus Sentinels and ESA Third Party Missions. The dashboard also includes contributions from Copernicus, Aerospacelab, Airbus, BIRA-IASB, CNR ISMAR, e-GEOS, EarthPulse, ECMWF, EMSA, EOX, Euro Data Cube, GMV, ICEEYE, KNMI, KSAT, Mundi Web United satellite power for Earth observation and analysing the effects of the coronavirus pandemic. Services, Planetek Hellas, Photo: ESA

ave you read the weather report today or maybe used a satnav? In that case you have already used space technology. Regardless whether we are talking about Earth observations, navigation, telecommunications or of course space research – satellites play a significant role. Reaching climate targets will also depend on satellites as the data they collect, their pictures and measurements, form the basis of climate research. Back in the day, the hole in the ozone layer was discovered by the latest space technology. And today we can look through clouds and darkness thanks to sophisticated radar technology. Data collected by satellites are indispensable for understanding and overseeing our environment. And such data is becoming more and more important for everyday applications.

Photo: Airbus

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Space probe Solar Orbiter on its way to the sun. A protective shield and thermal insulation from RUAG Space offer protection from the intense heat.

RHEA, SERCO, S&T, S5P PAL, SEN4CAP, Sen4Stat, Sinergise, SISTEMA, SPACEKNOW, SRON, UCLouvain, the University of Bremen and Vodafone. Austria in space Austria has been working on space technology since the 1960s. By now, Austria is taking part in space probe missions and all satellites of the European Space Agency ESA have Austrian technology on board. One of these technologies ensures that satellites can keep cool and comes from RUAG Space Austria, the European market leader in thermal insulation for space applications. “Austrian technology protects satellites from coldness and heat between about minus 150 degrees to plus 150 degrees Celsius,” says Andreas Buhl, Managing Director of RUAG Space Austria. The company makes its heat protection in its Lower Austrian factory in Berndorf. The insulation consists of several layers of metal coated plastic.

RUAG Space constructed the heat protection of the space probe Solar Orbiter for the European Space Agency. “Solar Orbiter is going to analyse solar winds, the so-called space weather. The satellite is going to get very close to the sun. Therefore, the heat protection has to meet the highest demands,” Buhl says. A special shield on the side of the sun will protect the satellite from the largest part of the heat load. RUAG Space cools the probe behind this shield: “The entire probe is covered in thermal insulation from Austria,“ Buhl says. The black thermal insulation comes from Berndorf and consists of several layers of metal-coated polyester and polyamide foils. Providing the thermal insulation system for the Solar Orbiter is so far the single-biggest thermal protection order for RUAG Space with an overall value of almost ten million euros. Solar Orbiter’s launch in February from the Kennedy Space Center in Florida is the start of its ten-year long journey to explore the sun. It is also this year’s personal highlight for Hans-Martin Steiner, CTO of Space & Avionics at Atos IT Solutions and Services

World Champion Austria

Atos Space Austria Atos IT Solutions and Services Austria is the European market leader in state-of-the-art satellite testing products and solutions. “Our cutting-edge technological expertise allows for the provision of end-to-end Electrical Ground Support Equipment (EGSE) infrastructures such as satellite platform, instrument and payload test benches,” says Steiner. “We are also the leading supplier of satellite communication monitoring and geolocalisation solutions with more than 25 percent of commercial transponders monitored by SkyMon worldwide.” Atos Austria is a well-recognised long-term development partner and supplier of Ground Segment solutions for mission control and earth observation. Being a market leader, Atos always has something new up its sleeve. “One of our latest developments called ProUST univerSAS is currently revolutionising the electrical tests in satellite construction,” says CTO Hans-Martin Steiner. “The entire range of electrical tests is combined in a fully digital device. UniverSAS is not only unique in terms of power density, it is practically a ‘green’ technology thanks to its enormous energy efficiency. Therefore, it contributes massively to decarbonising satellite construction.” ProUST univerSAS is being used both for testing individual satellites and in mass production of satellites. It is on the way to becoming a power test standard.

Solar Orbiter arrives at the Kennedy Space Center with its entire test system.

Austrospace President Max Kowatsch

Photo: feel image/Felicitas Matern

GmbH Austria, and Vice President of Austrospace. “The Austrian industry made essential contributions to this challenging mission that is being conducted by the European Space Agency and the US space agency NASA.” With regards to the intense temperatures near the sun the heat protection of the Solar Orbiter needs to withstand temperatures of more than 500 degrees Celsius. At the same time, the fuel tanks of the probe are located on the other side, i.e. not directly in the sun. They need to offer protection from temperatures of about minus 180 degrees Celsius. RUAG Space developed and manufactured this highly complex thermal insulation for the Solar Orbiter in order to ensure its survival. Atos Space delivered a test system that simulates Solar Orbiter’s software and hardware to ensure the smooth operation between the probe’s on-board computer and the peripheral subsystems. “The heart of this test system is a high-performance parallelised interface simulator, which we developed specifically for this purpose. The simulator contributed significantly to the improved performance during the satellite tests,” Steiner says.

Photo: ESA

Austria in space

“Austrospace brings Austria’s most important space technology actors from science and business together. Our association represents the common interests of its members before the national space agency FFG/ALR, the Ministry of Science and the political decision-makers.

Due to the heterogeneous structure and specialisation of Austrian businesses and research facilities, who take up leading European and sometimes even global positions in their respective technology and business areas, our joint forces are the basis for sustainable success when it comes to the Austrian space strategy and all related decisions on international cooperation. Our association promotes an exchange of experiences between the members and public relations to let the broad public know about the significance of space technologies for everyday life and their contribution to the Austrian economy.”

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Austrian business and research facilities at Austrospace c Aerospace and Advanced Composites c Atos IT Solutions and Services c TTTech Computertechnik AG c Enpulsion c EODC Earth Observation Data Centre for Water Resources Monitoring GmbH c EOX IT Services GmbH c University of Applied Science Wiener Neustadt c GeoVille Information Systems and Data Processing GmbH c Joanneum Research Forschungsgesellschaft mbH Digital Institute for Information and Communication Technologies c Magna Steyr Fahrzeugtechnik AG & Co KG, Division Aerospace c OHB Digital Solutions GmbH c Austrian Research Promotion Agency FFG c Austrian Academy of Sciences c RUAG Space Austria c Seibersdorf Labor GmbH c University of Technology Graz www.austrospace.at

Photo: RUAG Space

Austrospace’s tasks “My personal highlight of the last couple of years was the space probe BepiColombo, which launched in October 2018 from the Guiana Space Centre in Kourou to begin its seven-year long journey to Mercury,” says Max Kowatsch, President of Austrospace and CEO of RUAG Space. “Austrian businesses have made significant contributions to this challenging mission, which is being conducted by the European Space Agency and the Japanese Space Agency JAXA. The electric propulsion systems of the probe are controlled by mechanisms and electronics developed and manufactured by RUAG Space in Vienna. The highly complex thermal insulation, which ensures the probe’s survival under the extreme temperatures around Mercury near the sun, comes from RUAG Space’s factory in Berndorf. Overall, RUAG Space participated in the development and construction of BepiColombo with orders to the tune of 35 million euros. The Space Institute of the Austrian Academy of Sciences in Graz contributed significantly to the mission on the scientific side. RUAG Space extended its leading position as a provider of navigation receivers for high precision positioning of satellites. All first-generation satellites of the Earth observation system Copernicus, developed by ESA and operated by the EU, have such devices from Vienna onboard. The company also expects interesting orders for the second generation, which will be built in the next few years. In addition to all European systems manufacturers, RUAG Space

Developed by RUAG Space in Vienna and manufactured in Berndorf: thermal insulation for satellites made of several metal-coated plastic layers

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World Champion Austria

Photo: NASA

also supplies customers in the United States, in South Korea and the United Arab Emirates. The company is also very proud to have been selected to work on the new environmental satellite PACE of the US space agency NASA, which is set to launch between 2022 and 2023. “Another important business area is positioning mechanisms for electric propulsion systems of large telecommunications satellites. A product for the French-Italian systems manufacturer Thales Alenia Space can be found on board of the high-performance satellite Eutelsat Konnect, which launched in January,” Kowatsch says. ◆

NASA’s new environmental satellite PACE has Austrian technology on board.

Photo: RUAG Space

RUAG Space propulsion positioning mechanism for telecommunications satellites

Photo: Atos Space

Mechanisms for controlling the electric propulsion system of BepiColombo

ProUST univerSAS, the world‘s first universal digital power testing system from Atos Space Austria

Photo: ESA

Photo: RUAG Space

Austria in space

BepiColombo’s electric propulsion systems come from RUAG Space.

OUR INDUSTRY is there for the people. Austria‘s industry represents almost a third of our economic power and around one million jobs. It has made Austria a modern, successful country and has proven that, even in the most difficult of times, it can be relied upon – as a driver of progress and a guarantor of stability and quality of life.

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World Champion Austria Styria

Research is at home in Styria, the green heart of Austria Lush Styria not only has the largest proportion of forests in Austria, it is also number one when it comes to research and development.

Research and development With regards to the competitiveness between regions and countries, the areas science, industrial research and development as well as knowledge transfer are of great importance. A successful business

and research location has to cover the innovation chain from basic research at universities through to the successful introduction of products and services. The province of Styria is in a good position as it has a broad scientific base at its disposal including universities, non-university research institutions (institutes from the Austrian Academy of Science, the province’s own research association Joanneum Research) and courses at universities of applied science. The cooperation between the scientific basis and the local companies contributes considerably to Styria’s position in international competition as a business and research location. In addition, these collaborations have been supported for decades by a proven scientific, research and business development practise.

Photo: Lunghammer

tyria is a province full of innovation located right in the heart of the future-orientated Alps-Adriatic Region. Styria’s core competence and success story is knowledge and technology transfer. A large proportion of the Austrian competence centres do their research and work here. Spin-offs from the university sector are the norm and independent research centres such as Joanneum Research are available to companies at any time. According to ABA – Invest in Austria, no other Austrian province launches so many innovative products and services on the market as Styria does. With a research and development ratio of 5.16 percent, Styria ranks amongst the best regions in Europe. The reasons for this are the excellent education, research and corporate environment and most importantly the people in the province. With five universities teaching more than 55,000 students, an internationally renowned university of applied sciences system as well as many research institutions, Styria is the Austria’s technology factory, so to speak. As a logical consequence the proportion of highly qualified employees is remarkably high.

Styrian “Minister for the Future” Barbara Eibinger-Miedl

Styrian competences ABA lists 18 competence centres; one of them is the Austrian Research Centre of Industrial Biotechnology (Acib). Acib acts as a significant link between research and industry and is forming a network of around 200 universities and companies from the biotechnology sector such as BASF, DSM, Sandoz, Boehringer Ingelheim RCV, Jungbunzlauer and VTU Technology. The international competence centre is headquartered in Austria (with sites in Graz, Innsbruck, Tulln and Vienna) and also has further sites in Heidelberg, Bielefeld, Hamburg (Germany), Pavia

Photo: Lunghammer/TU Graz

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Research in life sciences at the University of Technology Graz: biological processes of yeast

Competence centres

Job market and economic structure

c acib (Austrian Center of Industrial Biotechnology) c Virtual Vehicle (K2-Mobility) c MCL – Materials Center Leoben Forschung GmbH c Bioenergy 2020+ c CBMed c Evolaris c Know-Center c LEC EvoLET c PCCL Polymer Competence Center Leoben c RCPE Research Center for Pharmaceutical Engineering c ASD– Acoustic Sensing and Design c MedUni Graz c ECO – Cool c ECO Power Drive c Flippr² c Join c SeCoS c Vision+

c Total number of jobs

Source: ABA Invest In Austria.

c Apprentices

15,543

c Jobseekers (annual average)2 c Unemployment

531,523 34,038

rate2 6.0%

c Members at the Economic Chamber

92,880

c Business formations3 5,966 c Gross value added in mln euros (2018)

44,324

c Gross regional product in mln euros (2018)

49,604

c Share in the Austrian GDP (2018)

12.9%

c Gross regional product per capita in euros (2018)

40,000

c Foreign trade in mln euros (Q1+Q2)

c Imports

c Exports

c Tourism overnight stays (x 1,000) c Patent issuances nationally (2018)

10,097 13,376 13,289 220

1 2019 data, 2 national calculation, 3 preliminary number Source: Statistics Austria, Association of Social Security Institut i o n s , A u s t r i a n E c o n o m i c C h a m b e r, P r o v i n c e o f S t y r i a , A M S

World Champion Austria Styria

Photo: Lunghammer/TU Graz

In Styria as well as in all other (Italy), Rzeszów (Poland), Barregions in Europe, the effects of celona (Spain), Canterbury the Covid crisis are the domi(New Zealand) and Taiwan. nant topic. In Styria, Covid also Another competence centre brought the economy to a halt. is the Virtual Vehicle Research For this reason, our current foGmbH. Shareholders include cus is on sustaining companies the University of Technology and thus sustaining jobs. We as Graz (34%), AVL List (16%), a Province also reinforced the Magna Steyr Fahrzeug (16%), immediate relief packages from Siemens Mobility (10%), Joanthe federal government. We are neum Research (8%), Voestalpicurrently working on a recovery ne (8%) and Infineon (8%). package for the Styrian econoIt is Europe’s largest remy. Styria has good prerequisisearch centre for virtual vehicle tes to get back on the path to development with 310 emplosuccess. In the long term it is yees. Its research focus is the therefore important to further close connection between nupush our economic strengths – merical simulations and hardmobility, green technologies, ware tests in the automotive life sciences as well as microand railway industries. This electronics. ensures that the design and Engine research at the University of Technology Graz automation of test and validatiDigitising Styria: where are we at? on procedures reach a defined level of quality. Virtual Vehicle coThe Covid crisis triggered an enormous push towards digitisation. operates with 30 national and 50 international industry partners Developments, which otherwise would have needed years, were (OEMs, tier 1 and tier 2 suppliers as well as software providers) plus needed within days and were made possible. I am referring to the 18 national and 30 international scientific institutions. The contiestablishment of online shops for companies and the establishment nuous development and safeguarding of complex hardware-softof teleworking jobs for emploware overall systems is made yees as well as home schooling possible. The focus on industryand distance learning at univerorientated research makes Virtu“Styria is too small to save the climate on its own, sities. That is something which al Vehicle a catalyst for innovatibut it can deliver technologies to help.“ should motivate us to use the on of vehicle technologies of the opportunities which digitisation future. B a r b a r a E i b i n g e r- M i e d l offers even more than before. I And being a little less speciwill continue to wholeheartedly fic, what does Styria focus on? put every effort into making this possible. Barbara Eibinger-Miedl Regional Minister for Business, Tourism, Regions, Science and Research, for short the future-orientated deHow is it looking when it comes to climate targets in Styria? partments, explains. What are you doing in terms of climate protection? Climate protection is not only one of the main aims of the federal Questions for the Regional Minister on Styria as a business government, it is also anchored as one of the key agendas of the location Styrian coalition agreement. We have a committee where not only What is Styria’s focus as a business location? What does the the political parties in the regional parliament are represented but Province focus on in the long term?

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also external experts from different areas. Here we regularly consult on which measures we can take in the specific departments of the provincial government in order to make an effective contribution to climate protection. Styria is too small to save the climate on its own, but it can deliver technologies to help. Styria is proving that economic growth does not cancel out climate protection with its many innovative companies in the energy and environmental technology sector as well as in the mobility sector.

What can companies expect in Styria? Or why exactly should companies come and settle in Styria? Styria is the number one province when it comes to innovation and research. A particular Styrian strength is the cooperation between universities, research institutes, companies and politics in Styria, which works outstandingly. This makes an enormous contribution to the fact that many Styrian companies achieve great success with their products and services all around the globe. Furthermore, there is also intensive cooperation within the clusters between large industrial leading companies as well as small and medium-sized enterprises. The highly skilled staff and the high quality of life are two further arguments that speak for the province of Styria. ◆

Photo: Lunghammer/TU Graz

Styria’s economic strategy “Growth through Innovation” is almost at the halfway mark. What will you be focussing on in the second half? The economic strategy is the framework for concrete measures, which we at the Ministry of Economic Affairs are taking to support companies. We are currently reworking the existing economic strategy and adapting it to the current developments such as the fast-

paced advancements in digitisation. It is clear that the strengths which we have already mentioned as well as the focus on research and development will play an important role in future strategies.

Research in the field of Mobility & Production at the University of Technology Graz into automotive propulsion systems from the AVL/TU Graz Transmission Center

World Champion Austria Drones

Little high flyers with loads of potential Drones are a hot topic right now. Austrian high-tech companies and research institutes can play a big role here.

Austrian initiative There are also other areas where drones are becoming increasingly important and which are being tackled by numerous companies and research institutes. They include the inspection of industrial

plants and infrastructures, land surveying, aerial photography, stock-taking, supporting rescue workers, pinpoint pest control in agriculture and traffic surveillance. In Austria, drones first cropped up in 2007 with basic research, exploring fields of applications and regulations for their integration into new mobility concepts. The AirLabs project was created in early 2020 and should give drone research additional tailwind. The Austrian Federal Ministry of Transport, Innovation and Technology supports the establishment and operation of test infrastructures for drones within the “Take Off” aviation programme, which is the national RTI (research, technology and innovation) programme for civil aviation. AIRlabs Austria covers research and development, validation and deployment of unmanned aircraft in a real environment across all technology levels. A total of over four million euros will be invested in the five-year project, two million of which will come from the Research Promotion Agency (Forschungsfördergesellschaft FFG).

Photo: AAU/Daniel Waschnig

or a long time, unmanned aerial vehicles were the stuff of science fiction movies. But by now they have become reality and are flying high both physically and metaphorically. An analysis of the Hamburg-based consultation agency Drone Industry Insights shows that the civil drone sector turned over about 14 billion US dollars in 2018. In 2019, that figure rose to roughly 20 billion and by 2024 the agency expects an increase to 43 billion. One of the main reasons for this development is that drones are becoming smaller and smaller, more lightweight and easier to handle. This concept turned the Chinese manufacturer Da Jiang International Sciences and Technology (DJI) in only a few years from an ambitious startup into a global market leader. This success is not necessarily considered positive in the United States and Europe, where there is a lot of effort to become the drivers of research and development. A new study by consultants Roland Berger shows that there are about 110 projects, half of them in Europe, that deal with the usability of drones in the transport sector.

Stephan Weiss in the Drone Hub in Klagenfurt, which opened in late 2019.

Taking off “Airlabs will contribute significantly to the development and testing of new technologies for future mobility. With its help, Austria can position itself not only as a test region for autonomous driving but also for au-

Photo: Skyability (3)

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The fleet of drone service provider Skyability from Burgenland feature a new laser scanning system which was developed in Austria.

tonomous flying and as an international centre of excellence for future mobility,” says Barbara Eibinger-Miedl, Secretary for Economy and Research at the Styrian Provincial Government. Michael Holzbauer, who manages the stake of Frequentis in the AirLabs activities, adds: “AirLabs Austria is not only focusing its efforts around its Austrian business location, it is also positioning itself internationally as a pioneer in drone research. The UAS innovation laboratory plays an important role, particularly in view of the EU regulations of the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), which come into force in early 2021.” In addition to the six partners FACC Operations GmbH, Frequentis AG, AIT - Austrian Institute of Technology GmbH, University of Applied Sciences Carinthia, University of Technology Graz and University of Applied Sciences Joanneum, there are another 19 members of a consortium involved in the project, among them Riegel Laser Measurement Systems, die Post AG, A1 Telekom Austria AG, die Rail Tec Arsenal Fahrzeugversuchsanlage. Modern infrastructure as an asset The University of Klagenfurt takes up a special position within the AirLabs projects. It has been researching unmanned aerial vehicles for more than ten years and owns Europe’s largest drone testing hangar as of late 2019.

“We need the right infrastructure to develop technological advancements. Drone research faces major logistical and technological challenges as air space is fairly tight in Austria, making test flights for drones impossible in many areas. Therefore, we need protected spaces such as this 1,300 sqm big hangar, which provides our research teams with the best conditions to try out new technologies,” says Stephan Weiss, Professor at the Institute for Intelligent System Technologies. He heads the group “Control of Networked Systems,” which researches new drone flight technologies such as camera-based navigation, i.e. without GPS. A modern infrastructure is not only a necessity for the University of Klagenfurt, where currently about 30 researches deal with drones. It also opens up numerous possibilities for other institutions and companies. “Opening the hangar to external players will offer everyone involved valuable insights and experiences, allowing us to define future drone technologies together,” says Weiss. Research location Austria On top of that, a number of open-air test areas all over Austria, e.g. in Upper Carinthia and in Styria, are planned as part of the AirLabs project. “The drone test sites allow us to view drone missions in a variety of ways under real-life conditions, for example, in different

World Champion Austria Drones

weather situations or over long distances. It also gives us the opportunity to validate the safety and advantages of this technology,” explains Joachim Edel, Managing Director of AirLabs Austria GmbH.

and artificial intelligence. It has already been used in monitoring the Falkenstein Bridge in Carinthia, one of Austria’s longest railway bridges. In October 2019, “StrucInspect” has also won the Iceberg Innovation Leadership Award of the Austrian Innovation Forum. “We can make use of the full data potential with the help of neural systems and deep learning models. Picture classification and object recognition are so precise that we are able to identify tears down to one millimetre. This allows for a highly exact diagnosis of the bridge’s condition,” says Arne Ragoßnig, Managing Director of Angst Group.

Photo: Uni Graz/Joel Kernasenko

Improving flight behaviour Austrian scientists are also researching unmanned aerial vehicles outside the AirLabs project. The research project “Bio KollAvoid” started recently at the Institute for Biology at the University of Graz and aims to transfer the flight behaviour of locusts onto drones. “The motion-sensitive eyes of a locust allow almost for a 360-degree-view. They react reManfred Hartbauer and Konstantinos Kostarakos of the University of Graz flexively to the quick expansion Increased interest of the edges of approaching objects. That way, individual locusts in Attempts to use drones for parcel delivery are still in the early staga swarm of up to ten million insects are able to skilfully avoid obes and pilot phases, however. Similar to DHL and Amazon, the stacles without colliding with one another,” explains zoologist Austrian Post has already carried out a number of mildly successful Manfred Hartbauer, who heads the project. projects that attracted media attention. But we are still far away This anti-collision behaviour can be monitored by attaching from replacing postmen and parcel deliverers with drones. How electrodes to two neurons that are sitting on the nerve cords of ever, the use of drones is still being considered by the Austrian Post, locusts, called the collision detector neurons. “We show them difeven though for now the company focuses on heavy duty drones ferent scenarios via two curved monitors, like in an IMAX cinema. to be used in logistics centres. In case of a potential collision, certain nerve fibres are triggered, Overall, experts in the transport sector see a future use for which in turn creates a sequence of electric potentials. We are redrones. Philipp Knopf, co-founder and Managing Director at Skyacording them and process the data,” Hartbauer says. bility, agrees. This data is then stored as an algorithm in a chip by researchers However, there is still a number of legal and safety-related isat the University of Applied Sciences and IT experts from Drone sues that need to be solved. Knopf has a positive outlook for the Rescue Systems. The aim is to present a first demo drone with an entire sector, though: “Drones have become a hot topic in many optical collision sensor in October 2021. fields. But you can’t expect that they will do inspections, mappings, thermography, spray pesticides, logistics etc. all on their own. HowPractical use ever, they can help in many areas in a very efficient way.” Another research project, which is already seeing practical use, is The start-up from Burgenland, which was founded in 2015 and the joint venture “StrucInspect” by companies Palfinger, VCE and won the province’s Innovation Award twice, has definitely been Angst Group. It is an innovative concept for the inspection of buildbenefitting from the rising demand in drones: “We have been growings in inaccessible locations, combining drones, sensor systems

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ing continuously and we see more and more potential thanks to sustainable cooperation with large clients. We currently employ nine people for the operation of drones, data logging, evaluation and processing.” The company is also relieved to say that the negative effects of the Covid crisis – at least until the middle of the year – have been considerably less dramatic than originally feared. Only a few projects were cancelled or postponed due to the travel restrictions within Austria and the neighbouring countries. Overall, Knopf sees his company in a good position: On the one hand, Skyability specialises in classic surveying and services for the industrial sector such as roof and plant inspections, construction site documentation and stock-keeping in the timber sector. On the other hand, the company offers solutions for the increasing digitisation in public authorities.

Photo: FH JOANNEUM/Miriam Weiß

Digitising cities in Austria and abroad This work includes collecting data on nature in defined areas to evaluate danger zones. “So far, we worked on such projects in about 15 communities and cities in Burgenland, Lower Austria, Carinthia, Tyrol and Styria, for example for flood prevention and surface draining,” says Knopf. “The largest area our drones covered in Austria was 33 square kilometres in size. There is also big inter-

est among communities in Austria and abroad to digitise their cemeteries. We have already done 250 such projects.” The Skyability drones are equipped with the VUX1-UAV laser scanning system from Riegl Laser Measurement from Horn in Lower Austria. The laser beam, which hits the ground with a diameter of ten centimetres, can gather information even on objects it brushed and on parts of buildings that are covered in vegetation. Therefore, the drone is able to get a gapless model of an area despite thick overgrow. This allows for the calculation of a detailed digital copy that is true to scale or a 3D print. Furthermore, Skyability is flying its drones for the Austrian-Chinese research project SmaCiSe, which is compiling microclimate and air quality models for urban areas. Currently, most studies and building simulations in this field focus on individual buildings and use simple and standardised assumptions for the building’s environment. “To achieve optimal results, it is essential to extend these studies to microclimatic entities, including several buildings as well as their surroundings,” Knopf explains. “The findings of this project make it possible to simulate heat islands when planning areas in cities and communities, and in turn to calculate relief factors for individual places. Wells, green spaces, artificial and natural shading and even the surface of facades are being taken into consideration.” ◆

Karl Peter Pfeiffer (FH Joanneum), Horst Bischof (TU Graz), Andreas Vrabl, (AIT), Isabella Breit (FACC Operations), Martin Payer (FH Joanneum), Claudia Pacher (FH Carinthia) and Joachim Edel (Frequentis) with the AirLabs contract

World Champion Austria Carinthia

Technology has found its home in Carinthia Information and communication technology including a 5G playground in Klagenfurt, micro- and nanoelectronics in Villach.

arinthia is Austria’s southernmost province. It combines an array of know-how, high-end technology and an attractive mix of different sectors, all situated in an innovative environment. Centrally located in the heart of Europe at the borders of Italy, Slovenia and Austria, Carinthia is developing into an innovation hub in the Alps-Adriatic region with its attractive infrastructure and a research ratio of around three percent. Particularly relevant for Carinthia’s technological know-how are internationally operating enterprises such as Infineon Technologies Austria, Intel, Lam Research, KapschTrafficCom, CISC Semiconductor and Flex (Flextronics International). They are beacons of light that shine far beyond the borders of the province together with local heroes such as Ortner Reinraumtechnik, Augmensys, PMS Elektro- und Automationstechnik and Wild Hi-Precision. The Silicon Alps Cluster combines industry, research and development as well as public administration, with the overall aim being the strategic location development.

Villach, agglomeration of the microelectronics sector Over the last few years, the Carinthian district capital of Villach has developed into a centre for the micro- and nanoelectronics sector, which is the backbone of digitisation. Austria’s most active research company Infineon Technologies can be considered the spearhead of this. Since 1997, the globally known company Infineon, a knowledge hub for power electronics, has been based in Villach. The development of increasingly smaller and more energy-efficient chips for use in automotive, industry and consumer electronics at the centre of its activities. Right now, the company invests 1.6 billion euros into building the world’s most modern chip plant with fully automated production of 300 mm thin wafers along with a building complex for research and development Markus Hornböck, Managing Director of Babeg Photo: Johannes Puch

Focusing on innovation “The economic strategy of the province focuses on innovation and research,” explains Markus Hornböck, Managing Director at the Carinthian investment promotion agency Babeg Kärntner Betriebsansiedlungsund Beteiligung GmbH. He added: “In Villach, a centre for microelectronics and sensors has been set up around the

Infineon and High Tech Campus. In Klagenfurt, the Lakeside Science & Technology Park International has positioned itself as an attractive innovation campus with the best possible accessibility to research and education. Both sites distinguish themselves through innovative small and medium-sized enterprises as well as international leading companies. They have excellent accessibility to non-university research facilities. This is an ideal mix and means innovations can really be promoted and new technologies can be developed.”

Photo: Infineon Austria

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The building shell of the new chip plant at the Infineon’s site in Villach is complete. It has a total floor space of 60,000 sqm, is 120 m long, 110 m wide and 35 m high.

Education

Job market and economic structure

c Alpen-Adria-University Klagenfurt c School of Management, Organizational Development and Technology (MOT) c University of Applied Sciences Carinthia c International School Carinthia c Coding School Wörthersee

c Total number of jobs 216,025 c Apprentices 7,165 c Jobseekers (annual average)2 20,749 c Unemployment rate2 8.8% c Members at the Economic Chamber 41,994 c Business formations3 2,400 c Gross value added in mln euros (2018) 18,660 c Gross regional product in mln euros (2018) 20,882 c Share in the Austrian GDP (2018) 5.4% c Gross regional product per capita in euros (2018) 37,200 c Foreign trade in mln euros (Q1+Q2) c Imports 3,476 c Exports 3,807 c Tourism overnight stays (x 1,000) 13,360 c Patent issuances nationally (2018) 17

Research c ASSIC Austrian Smart Systems Integration Research Center c SAL – Silicon Austria Labs c Joanneum Research – Institute for Robotics c Lakeside Labs – Platform for Information and Communication Technology c W3C – Wood Carinthian Competence Center Source: ABA Invest in Austria

1 2019 data, 2 national calculation, 3 preliminary number Source: Statistics Austria, Association of Social Security Institut i o n s , A u s t r i a n E c o n o m i c C h a m b e r, P r o v i n c e o f C a r i n t h i a , A M S

World Champion Austria

IT in Klagenfurt at the Lakeside Science & Technology Park The area information and communication technology is for the provincial capital Klagenfurt what microelectronics is for Villach. The Lakeside Science & Technology Park is 34,000 sqm in size and is home to an IT campus with optimal synergies between companies and research and development. Currently, there are 76 companies with around 1,400 employees, three non-university research institutions, an educational lab as well as Carinthia’s start-up incubator “Build!”. This innovative environment gives non-university research institutes such as Lakeside Labs as well as Joanneum Research Robotics the best framework conditions for their research projects. The Lakeside Science & Technology Park sees itself as a place for interdisciplinary research and development, education, production and service. Together with the University of Klagenfurt, the non-university research institutions and the companies, Lakeside Park is a highly specialised place for IT research and development. Outstanding mobile technology playground In addition, Lakeside Science & Technology is also a 5G Playground, which is Austria’s first test environment for research and further development of 5G specific applications, services and business models. The 5G Playground is open to anyone who wants to test their products and applications under optimal 5G conditions. The fifth generation of mobile communications stands out with peak data rates of up to 10 gigabits per second, as well as extremely low latency periods and a high energy efficiency. All of these advantages are available at Lakeside Science & Technology Park in Klagenfurt. The technical infrastructure was provided by Austria’s leading mobile provider A1 Telekom Austria Group. The Playground itself is run by Babeg Kärntner Betriebsansiedlungs- und Beteiligung GmbH. “The 5G Playground Carinthia at the Lakeside Science & Technology Park in Klagenfurt is the most modern 5G test lab for researching and developing 5G applications, products and processes as well as applications in Austria,” explains Hornböck and adds: “Users not only have the best infrastructure available to them, but also workplaces with the latest server technology and intranet infrastructure as well as a direct connection to the innovation eco-system at the Lakeside Science & Technology Park.” Current research projects at the 5G Playground The project “Virtual Reality” researches, develops, tests and evaluates specially chosen VR applications via a 5G network such as

Photo: Manuela Schwarzl/Joanneum Research

Carinthia

Robotics Institute: The first accredited test laboratory for robotic safety

streaming 360° videos and new forms of immersive media, for example from volumetric data (point clouds). These data-intensive applications test the high data rates as well as the extreme low latency of 5G networks both as downloads (streaming to VR glasses) and uploads (streaming of live content from a 360° camera). “Wireless Industrial Robotics”: 5G in a mobile robotics environment tests the use of 5G technologies that allow a robot dynamic access to sensors wherever they are needed. There are different sensor technologies which fulfil specific requirements of 5G connectivity such as bandwidth, latency and reliability. The aim of the “Smart City” case examples is to research whether different applications can be run more efficiently or actually at all with 5G mobile technology. The prototypes developed here can then be tested for their usability in a series of field tests carried out in the 5G Playground Carinthia. Why Carinthia? That’s why… The extremely technology-orientated province of Carinthia is one of Europe’s top research regions and as a member of the group “Strong Innovators” it is also one of the most innovative regions in Europe. Carinthia’s research landscape has received another boost of late. Frauenhofer established the institute KI4Life with the focus on artificial intelligence. The site of the former Carinthian Tech Research Center will become one of the core locations for Silicon Austria Labs focusing on sensor systems with considerably more staff. The Robotics Institute at Joanneum Research in Klagenfurt has also grown considerably. The Wood K Plus research centre remains an important partner for the paper and timber industry.

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In addition to offering attractive funding, Carinthia also has highly trained and motivated employees. This is the basis for many internationally successful leading companies from the fields of internet and communication technology, sensor technology,

microelectronics, engineering and manufacturing systems. Carinthia is a hub both logistically and economically in the Alps-Adriatic Region, in the heart of Europe, along two European transport routes, the Tauern Axis and the Baltic-Adriatic Axis. ◆

Good to know about Carinthia as a business location tal Innovation Hub Süd (DIH Süd) and at other locations. DIH Süd is a non-profit competence network that acts as a point of contact for businesses. Furthermore, Babeg is also a driver of numerous showcase projects in the region in the areas of research, technology and innovation. For these areas it acts as a hub and network for regional key players and works on increasing the visibility of these topics of the future. BABEG Kärntner Betriebsansiedlungs- & Beteiligungsgesellschaft http://www.babeg.at

Photo: Pixabay

Babeg contributes to strengthening the economic power as well as the business and technology location with the three innovation and knowledge essentials of education, research and economics. Through the support for new companies and the expansion of existing innovative and foreign companies the visibility of Carinthia as a business location is being increased. Babeg offers companies expert advice and support free of charge; it also offers attractive sites as well as fully developed spaces. By doing so, it fulfils an essential prerequisite to facilitate investments. In addition, Babeg offers a free of charge consulting service when it comes to digitising businesses, for example at the Digi-

Innovation Centre Digitisation und Artificial Intelligence – KI4LIFE Fraunhofer Innovationszentrum in Carinthia: An intermediary between university research and industry

World Champion Austria Watchmaking industry

Fashionable high-tech for your wrist A big player in watch straps comes from Austria. But there are also a few newcomers with great ideas.

oday , nobody needs a watch to tell the right time. But the little timekeepers on the wrist are still highly popular. Swiss brands dominate the market but not when it comes to the one part that actually makes a watch a wristwatch. The Austrian company Hirsch is one of the world market leaders in the production of watch straps. The family-business from Klagenfurt has become one of the main suppliers of straps for the Swiss watch-making industry.

technique that seamlessly combines the upper leather, the padding and the lining to prevent the intrusion of moisture, perfume, sun lotion and other liquids. The same year, Hans Hirsch patented the so-called Rembordé technique which is still state-of-the art today. Since then, the company is constantly looking to improve the at first sight simple strap that keeps the watch in place. “There is nothing that can’t be improved”, Hans Hirsch once said. His successors keep to that motto.

Photo: Habring Uhrentechnik

From a workshop to a global player Numerous inventions “The Bracelet since 1765” – the company slogan is confusing at first “Watch straps are worn directly on the skin, often for several hours as the first wristwatch was only made in 1812 by Abraham-Louis a day. Therefore, the demands are considerably higher compared Breguet for Caroline Murat, Queen of Naples and younger sister of to other leather products in Napoleon Bonaparte. terms of wear, wearing comfort “The year 1765 refers to the and skin tolerance,” Nikolaus year when our family started to Hirsch explains. make and work with leather,” The list of Hirsch’s innovaexplains Nikolaus Hirsch, who tions is thus quite long. The is nine generations removed company researched allergic from the workshop founders reactions to leather with the and heads the marketing and University Hospital for Dermasales departments. tology in Vienna in the 1980s The transition from a small and subsequently developed leather workshop to one of the the patented Pro Skin protecworld’s leading producers of tion coat. In addition, an anwatch straps goes back to ti-allergic cover for the bottom Hans Hirsch, who started to of the watch was invented, make the first prototypes at his both in a ready-made version kitchen table in 1945. Ten for round cases in various sizes years later, in the midst of Ausas well as cut-outs for rectantria’s massive economic boom gular cases and Tonneau caswhen wristwatches became es. Richard and Maria Habring, founders and owners of watchmaker Habring highly popular, he invented a

Photo: Habring Uhrentechnik

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Habring is dedicated to the art of watchmaking. The company received the Grand Prix de la Haute Horlogerie four times.

Other surface treatments improved the scratch resistance of the leather, or come with skin-caring extracts of aloe vera. Many innovations, however, dealt with leather’s aversion to water. What is the point of having a waterproof watch if the strap can’t withstand wetness? By now, Hirsch watch straps can be safely used for water sports, even when diving up to 100 metres, or in the sauna. A milestone in this area is the Performance line, which has a core from natural rubber, coated in fine leather. The first models were launched in 2014; a year later, the line received the renowned Red Dot Design Award. From a watch strap to a fashion accessory “In addition to the inside of a watch strap we have always paid a lot of attention to the look,” said Nikolaus Hirsch. “In the last few years this has become more and more important as wrist watches are no longer simply a device for timekeeping but increasingly a fashion accessory to express your own style.” Accordingly, the range of colours available has grown and grown and by now all models are available in the colours of the season – such as camouflage patterns at the moment. The new slogan

“dress up your watch” underlines how important a watch’s aesthetics have become. Thanks to the quick release system, which is compatible with the majority of current watch models, straps can be changed by the owners themselves depending on his mood or the occasion. Hirsch also offers the Appetizer Tray, a box to store up to twelve watch straps. Alternative materials Hirsch does not only pay attention to trends in terms of colours but also when it comes to materials. The company does not believe that leather straps will become obsolete but the fact that more and more people consider animal products problematic – even if they come exclusively from certified sources in accordance with all environmental and protection guidelines – is something Hirsch wants to accommodate. The Performance Collection, for example, is available with a surface from birchbark or shale, which resulted in Hirsch being awarded the Innovation and Research Prize of the Province of Carinthia in 2018. Both products do not only have an extraordinary look but are also 100 percent vegan.

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World Champion Austria Watchmaking industry

“We have concerned ourselves with alternatives to leather for several years now,” Hirsch says. “We have started several projects around animal-free and sustainable materials such as plant fibres.” He is certain to present a few vegan innovations in the years to come. Hirsch is also looking at the integration of high-tech features. The company presented the first strap with an integrated microchip at the Basel Watch and Jewellery Fair 2002. Since then, Hirsch has been making smart watch straps for watchmakers and business clients from other fields such as banks or healthcare. Time tracking and access to the site in Klagenfurt for staff is done with in-house wearables, of course. The lifestyle brand NiMa Atelier, established in 2014 by Nikolaus Hirsch and his brother Matthäus offers customers not only stylish leather straps but also straps for contactless payment. The latest innovation in the field of digital devices is an adapter that makes it possible to equip Apple smart watches with a Hirsch watch strap.

Photo: Hirsch

New sales concepts The family business is also keeping up with the times in terms of its sales. While the last few decades saw a focus on watch shops – about 16,000 shops and jewellers around the globe carry Hirsch straps – the B2C business is gaining in importance. Hirsch operates its own chain of shops by the name “In-Time” in several countries, selling watch straps and providing various services for watches and jewellery. When the new website was launched in 2019, an online store was added. The company also increased its activities on social media to keep watch enthusiasts up-to-date with the latest products, offer fashion tips and give insights into the production and the company philosophy. This is an important factor for Hirsch to establish the watch strap as a fashion accessory with regards to people owning two or three of them.

“We have started several projects around animal-free and sustainable materials”. Nikolaus Hirsch

Watches from Austria There are only very few companies that make watches in Austria but they are able to keep up with the competition from Switzerland, Germany and Japan. Jacques Lemans managed to establish itself successfully in the segment of low-priced chronometers. The company was founded in 1975 in St. Veit an der Glan (Carinthia) and offers about 600 different models, supplying shops in 120 countries all round the world.

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WeltMeister Österreich Watchmaking industry

Photo: Waltz

Photo: Hirsch

in 2017. In all fairness, the And they are very happy with new company isn’t entirely the Austrian watchmaker, a Austrian though. Financer survey among 9,000 dealers by Robert Punkenhofer teamed watch and jewellery publishing up with Swiss Master Watchhouse Meth Media showed at maker Marc Jenni, member of the start of the year. Jacques the Académie Horlogère des Lemans was voted the favourCréateurs Indépendants, and ite supplier and top brand in Swiss manufacturer Vaucher the category “up to 250 euros”. Fleurier, a specialist in luxury “We are very proud of this watches. This befits Carl award,” says Alfred Riedl, ownWatch straps from Hirsch are not only hand-made, they are also full of innovations. Suchy & Söhne’s history, hower and Managing Director of ever, as the original company already had its production site in Jacques Lemans. “It shows that we meet the taste and demands the Swiss town of La Chaux-de-Fonds. The new company’s conof customers. We feel validated to continue along this path.” nection to Austria and Vienna is both subtle and innovative. For one, there is the model name Waltz No1, which is an homage to Austrian luxury the Viennese waltz. And so is the turning disc that replaces the Habring is an Austrian watchmaker that can be found at the very classic seconds hand. The pattern on the inside of the watch top. The company was founded in 2004 by Richard and Maria Habstrap is borrowed from Adolf Loos. In order to introduce the new ring and is a classic manufacturer, meaning that it develops and old brand among watch enthusiasts, Carl Suchy & Söhne particbuilds its clockworks on its own. In 2007, Habring developed a new ipates at top level watch events such as Baselworld, the calibre with a jumping second, patented it and started proQuatar Show Forum or the Austria Connect Exhibition ducing it. This is rather exceptional as even many rein autumn 2019 in Tokyo, which celebrated 150 years nowned Swiss and German watchmakers only buy caliof trade relationship between Austria and Japan. This bres from suppliers and adapt them individually. The strategy led to establishing a sales network of interHabrings are therefore among a small group of watchnationally renowned dealers such as Hübner in Vimakers who use their own know-how – with great enna, Chronopassion in Paris, Noble Styling Inc. in success: The company won the Grand Prix de la Tokyo and The Lavish Attic in Hong Kong. Haute Horlogerie, the highest prize in the art of Thomas Hiden founded Viribus Unitis in watchmaking, four times in the category “Small 2017 and also references the Austrian MonarHand”. chy. Its models can be found in the midHabrings business model has one drawprice range, have a sporty look and come back, of course: The company sells its watchwith stainless steel, bronze or ceramics es only by order through a small number of cases. The designs lean on classic aviator selected dealers in Austria, Germany, Switzerand scuba watches and the names and colours land, Japan and Australia, and is only able to come from various military units or types of make 200 watches per year at most. So, if you planes from the Austro-Hungarian Empire. The want to put a Habring on your wrist, you need a available watch straps befit this martial theme and little bit of patience. are made from leather of historic uniform fabrics, Quality over quantity with carefully selected sales produced by the Waldviertel-based manufacturer Rochannels is also the credo at Carl Suchy & Söhne, a man Jandl. They underline the Austrian DNA of the brand that was highly popular among sophisticated watches, even though Swiss Sellita calibres make watch enthusiasts during the Austrian Monarchy. It them tick. ◆ disappeared after the First World War but was revived

Foto: Uwe Strasser

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