KNAPP Continues on Their Growth Trajectory in the Past Fiscal Year

The KNAPP AG continues to develop successfully in the fiscal year 2025/26, remaining on a strong course for growth. In an increasingly complex market environment, the Styrian technology company is able to hold their ground through stability, innovative power and a broad solution portfolio. The achieved turnover of 2.135 billion euros (+7.6 %) and an order intake of 2.51 billion euros underscore KNAPP’s sustainable development. Among the most important sales markets are Europe and North America, which provide a solid basis for the company’s international development. Technological expertise, especially in robotics and AI, and a strong focus on long-term partnerships are the fundamental factors behind the company’s success.

Diversification and innovation as a stable foundation for growth

KNAPP benefits from their strong position in their core business areas healthcare, retail, fashion, food, wholesale and industry. Less extensive developments in individual markets can be counterbalanced by dynamic growth in other areas, thereby ensuring reliable, long-term growth. The company’s broad positioning also allows for continuous investments in technology and software portfolio development. In the fiscal year 2025/26, the company invested 106 million euros – about 5 % of the turnover – in research, development and digitalization to meet the growing requirements for efficiency, flexibility and scalability.

The AeroBot is a current example of KNAPP’s latest developments. The robotic storage system is being implemented in first customer projects for Nord Electronic Drivesystems and Siemens, for instance. As a combined storage and retrieval system that is highly adaptable and expandable, this system is ideal for small and medium-scale applications. KNAPP has also been developing solutions for very high throughput from day one. Demonstrating these endeavors is the planned implementation of the largest ever shuttle storage system in South Korea.

KNAPP thus offers a wide range of solutions – from compact, standardized solutions to large-scale, highly automated systems. Their broad portfolio comprises various technologies – from pallet handling to single-item picking solutions – which are tailored to different scopes of application in logistics. “Our strength lies in our wide product range. It allows us to respond flexibly to different requirements and to continue on a solid growth trajectory,“ says KNAPP CEO Gerald Hofer.

AI as a central element

KNAPP also systematically drives the integration of artificial intelligence and has bundled corresponding AI applications in a new platform called the KNAPP Brain. The goal is to facilitate decision making with the use of data along the entire value chain – from planning and machine control all the way to the last mile. “Artificial intelligence is not an isolated feature but part of an overall system. Its value arises when processes are viewed as a whole and built on a solid basis of data. When implemented the right way, AI helps to make systems more stable, efficient and adaptable,“ explains KNAPP COO Franz Mathi. When technologies, data and processes are strategically interlinked, it is possible to continuously develop solutions and prepare for future requirements. Software plays a central role in all of this: It connects individual systems and process steps, provides context-based data and creates the conditions for AI applications to take effect in live operation.

The principle of long-term partnerships

With requirements increasing for logistics solutions, KNAPP is further strengthening close collaboration with customers. “We thoroughly analyze the business models of our customers. It’s not about building a single system, but about understanding what the respective market needs for the long term,“ says Gerald Hofer. In this context, aspects such as data quality are becoming increasingly important in tailoring solutions to specific customer and end customer requirements and in managing complexity. KNAPP accompanies projects from the first idea to implementation, all the way to ongoing operation, continually developing systems together with their customers. The expansion of the global Customer Service team ensures that systems can be supported on a long-term basis and adapted to changing requirements. This creates a partnership that is not limited to an individual project but focuses on long-term stability and further development.

A strong team and the promotion of young talent

KNAPP employs around 9,000 employees worldwide, with 4,600 employees in Austria, demonstrating that they are successful internationally and firmly rooted in Styria as an important employer in the region. In particular, KNAPP concentrates on training and promoting young talent. The apprenticeship program at KNAPP has been an important building block in the long-term development of the company for years. Success in national and international competitions – such as the KNAPP apprentices’ recent qualification for the WorldSkills 2026 in Shanghai – reflects their high level of training and quality. “Our apprentices are among the best in the world and their participation in competitions such as the AustrianSkills or the WorldSkills proves their extraordinary skills. Through international networking, they gather valuable insights into new technologies, ways of working and different cultures. It’s an opportunity for us to learn from each other, strengthen our innovative capacity and evolve together as a company,“ says CFO Christian Grabner. Targeted investments in the company’s organization, infrastructure and know-how pave the way for further growth and close the gap on customers and markets around the globe.

Results for the fiscal year 2025/26

• Turnover: 2.135 billion euros (+7,6 % compared to the previous year)
• Order intake: 2.5 billion euros
• Employees: 9,000 employees worldwide, with 4,600 in Austria
• Investments in research and development: 106 million euros (5 % of the turnover)