Palfinger invests in R&D facility

How the new Palfinger Technology Center will look

Austrian manufacturer of loader cranes, aerial work platforms and materials handling equipment Palfinger has started work on a multi-million Euro investment at Köstendorf. The new Technology Center is for product development and will offer cross-functional solutions standard across all units, the company said.

Andreas Klauser, Palfinger CEO, speaking at the groundbreaking ceremony for the new R&D centre

Phase one is around €5 million (US$ 5.9 million). “Our strategy is to work closely with our customers to develop holistic, sustainable solutions for their individual challenges. That is why Palfinger in Köstendorf focuses on mission-critical customer solutions,” explained Andreas Klauser, Palfinger CEO.

A total of around €40 million ($47 million) will be invested in strengthening the site as well as in greening and digitalisation projects, the company said. These include the expansion of the Lengau site, the modern Palfinger Campus Training Center – and now the Köstendorf Technology Center.

“We are combining these investments into a large, effective package to help us emerge from the crisis strong, fully prepared to accept the challenges of the future,” said Klauser.

Salzburg governor Wilfried Haslauer, said, “With this investment programme, Palfinger not only strengthens the site in financial terms, but also actively promotes Salzburg as a research site. This is a strong signal for the region and the industrial province of Salzburg, especially in such challenging times. Research and development are the basis for innovation and progress, which is why I am pleased that Palfinger is committed to the Köstendorf site and provides high-quality jobs in our region.”

Austrian Minister of the Economy, Margarete Schramböck, commented, “Many companies are looking to the future with courage and investing their way out of the crisis. Palfinger’s investment is a contribution to the modernisation of the site at the same time as safeguarding high-quality jobs in the region. What Austria needs now is responsible entrepreneurship teamed up with visions for the location - and because Palfinger embodies exactly that, I would like to express my sincere thanks.”

Flexible working spaces for more than 100 people will be created at Köstendorf. The idea is for it to support the product development teams in cross-functional work. Teams can collaborate across all departments.

The main focus is on system engineering, project management, verification and validation as well as software development, the company said.

Work begins on the new Palfinger Technology Center at Köstendorf in Austria