Net sales rose by 34.5% to EUR 954 million and the order volume exceeded the billion euro mark for the first time in the company's history. Compared to the previous year, Knapp achieved a profit increase of 44.2% - with an EBIT of 65.2 million euros. The Management Board team with Gerald Hofer, Franz Mathi and Christian Grabner is delighted with the sustained economic success and at the same time points to ongoing investment activities.

Last year, the company invested more than 43 million euros in buildings and infrastructure and a further 48 million in research and development - an increase of 25 percent. "Innovation and development continues to be a strong focus for Knapp," confirms Franz Mathi, Knapp COO. "Last year, we expanded our sites in Leoben and Dobl and increased our capacities in Poland, Slovenia and Croatia, among others. Future investments will go towards expanding our branches both in Austria and worldwide."

"Knappgoes green": a large fleet of electric cars is available. In the foreground: Katrin Pucher, Vice President Integrated Management Systems and Franz Mathi, COO with the Energy Globe Styria Award 2019. © Scarce

Investments are also made in sustainable, ecological and social developments. Environmental protection is a very high priority and a flagship project was launched last year with the innovative "Knapp goes green" mobility program. The initiative promotes electric mobility and the use of public transport. More than 370 employees are already taking advantage of the offers, and further initiatives are planned.

Sustainability is also ensured by the photovoltaic system on the roof of the company headquarters with a peak output of almost 200 kilowatt hours. This solar energy not only supplies the office buildings, but also 28 e-charging stations. 1.4 million euros were invested in the overall "Knapp goes green" initiative (network cards, cars, buses, photovoltaic system, charging stations, etc.). Knapp also assumes social responsibility through its cooperation with alpha nova: eight people with disabilities work throughout the company premises every day according to their abilities.

Employees as a success factor
The number of employees worldwide has risen sharply and is already over 4,500. In total, the number of employees has increased by more than 700. "As a company, we are used to constantly developing and reinventing ourselves in certain areas. Finding the right employees and integrating them into the company is a major challenge," explains CFO Christian Grabner. "To achieve this, we have invested specifically in employer branding activities in recent years."

Excellent career opportunities in a technically exciting and international environment and a positive working atmosphere are the basic prerequisites, supported by a modern company restaurant, a company fitness program, crèche and kindergarten as well as the Knappacademy with an ongoing training program.

Outlook & trends
Due to the excellent economic situation, the last two years have been exceptional in terms of growth, says Grabner. "We are aiming for further sustainable growth in the immediate future and have made forward-looking investments to achieve this, such as the construction of the new innovation center and the new hall space in Hart as well as further expansion steps in Leoben and Dobl. We are also expanding internationally with a new headquarters in the USA."

"The value chains for products and services are subject to constant change. We have to change with them and recognize trends," continues Knapp CEO Gerald Hofer. "In the future, we will have to deal with highly integrated networks from production to the end customer. There are new technological approaches that we use as the basis for our solutions," says COO Franz Mathi, explaining future development opportunities and potential. as