"In recent years, we have recorded growth of 15 to 16 percent in incoming orders alone, increased our sales revenue by an average of 14.5 percent and our profitability by 21 percent. This growth requires us to follow suit in terms of infrastructure in our branches and also here at the Hart bei Graz site," says COO Franz Mathi, explaining the reasons behind the construction offensive.

Innovation center with showroom and 470 office workstations

The innovation center is being built on the former site of a factory building. The first construction machines are already in use and will transform part of the company premises into an impressive construction site for around 20 months. The new company building is characterized by its modern design and will be heated with district heating to conserve resources.

In addition to a reception area on the first floor, rooms for employee and customer events as well as a separate cinema and lecture hall for 130 people are planned. The building will house an exclusive showroom with a ceiling height of up to 10 meters, where the company will present the latest technologies from the world of warehouse logistics to its customers and guests. Offices over four floors will offer 470 employees a modern working environment. The light-flooded offices are easily accessible thanks to the comb-like arrangement of the wings. The room sizes can be arranged flexibly and offer optimum communication options. All office floors have open spaces in the form of covered loggias. The green roof terraces of the four inner courtyards are designed as recreation areas for employees.

Groundbreaking ceremony for the 2018 construction offensive

The ground-breaking ceremony took place on March 16, 2018 with board members Gerald Hofer and Franz Mathi, the Knapp family and numerous guests of honor such as Governor Hermann Schützenhöfer, Verena Nussbaum, Member of the National Council, District Governor Burkhard Thierrichter and Jakob Frey, Mayor of the municipality of Hart bei Graz, as well as the planning and executing partner companies. Governor Hermann Schützenhöfer is delighted with the great impetus for Styria that this investment is providing: "The example of Knapp shows that Styrian innovative strength creates prospects. This ground-breaking ceremony will create future-oriented jobs for the people of Styria. The Knapp Innovation Center thus creates work for Styria. With a research and development rate of 5.14%, Styria is already THE innovation state in Austria and, together with outstanding companies and first-class educational institutions, we are ensuring that we remain so." In his words of welcome, Schützenhöfer also thanked those responsible at the company, who have made the company one of the most successful providers of logistics solutions and thus provide work for over 2,700 people in Styria.

Parallel to the new building, a factory building is being extended. Two further halls will be built on an area of 10,000 m², doubling the production space. This will also create new jobs for around 150 employees. Two high-performance photovoltaic systems on the roofs of the halls will ensure a self-sufficient power supply. All in all, the company intends to invest around one year's profit over the next two years - a clear commitment to the location. kp