KNAPP AG is expanding

A sustainable strategy for growth allows the technology company to successfully navigate through troubled waters. As for other companies, 2020 has been a tremendous challenge for KNAPP.

“We’ve invested heavily in development and internationalization, which is now bearing fruit in the form of incoming orders from Germany, the UK, Brazil, the USA and other countries. Thanks to our investment program and established customers, our order books are well-filled for the long term,” explains KNAPP CEO Gerald Hofer. Almost 1,000 new colleagues will be added to the current 5,000 employees in the coming fiscal year, with about half of that number in Austria.

Germany’s most modern shuttle system at Arvato/Douglas

KNAPP is looking forward to equipping the new ultra-modern distribution center for cosmetics giant Douglas, a major contract for more than 50 million euros from Arvato Supply Chain Solutions. In a total space of 38,000 m², Arvato will be managing all the logistics and fulfillment for orders made in the Douglas online shops in the DACH region and the Netherlands of up to 150,000 different products.

Reliable partner for essential services

“During the difficult phase of the first lockdown and thereafter, we were able to maintain our in-house production, continue our customer projects as well as provide all our services thanks to the commitment of our employees and our safety concept,” reports KNAPP COO Franz Mathi. “Our sophisticated storage systems made an important contribution providing supply security for people all over the world including the food retail and pharmaceutical sectors. This mission was the wind beneath the wings of our whole team, and we could truly feel the KNAPP spirit.”

500 new jobs to expand Austrian sites

In addition to their headquarters in Hart bei Graz, the company has locations in Leoben, Dobl, Raaba-Grambach and an engineering office in Klagenfurt. Founded in 1952, KNAPP has been a secure employer for generations. “We offer multi-faceted career opportunities. Starting here as an apprentice, for example, you can make use of a broad spectrum of educational opportunities and job perspectives. There are ample challenges, no danger of boredom here,” emphasizes KNAPP CFO Christian Grabner. As the sites continue to expand, KNAPP is actively seeking experts who have completed an apprenticeship, higher technical college or a university degree in the areas of software/IT, mechatronics, metal working, electrical engineering or business administration. “We are looking for entry-level people as well as professionals to work with us on our international projects from Canada to Australia.”