Release from 15.07.2018
- FACC invests EUR 100 million and supports future growth
- Approximately 3,500 employees got together to celebrate the next chapter in FACC history
Ried, 14 July 2018 – Around 3,500 guests celebrated the inauguration of the new FACC production facilities in St. Martin im Innkreis on 14 July 2018. All FACC employees were invited along with relatives and friends. The extension of the plant also reflects FACC's clear commitment to Upper Austria. With this move, the globally active aerospace group is preparing for future growth while underscoring its role as a top employer in the region. FACC will create up to 700 additional jobs in Upper Austria over the next three years.
Not only employees, but also selected representatives from politics and business took part in the summer festivities. In his speech at the opening ceremony, Upper Austria's Federal State Governor Thomas Stelzer praised the technological achievements of the leading aerospace company in Upper Austria together with its associated sustainable future potential. The President of the Upper Austrian Economic Chamber (WKOÖ) Doris Hummer and District Commissioner Yvonne Weidenholzer along with the FACC crew applauded the way FACC has developed as a successful technology partner of all major aircraft and engine manufacturers. Among the guests of honor were Airbus Vice President Cabin Procurement Peer Wiebe, the mayors of the surrounding communities and numerous business partners of FACC AG.
Setting the course for future growth
“We are striving to expand our position as one of the leading suppliers of technological composite aerospace systems in the growing aviation industry and in so doing become the technology partner of choice of our global customers,” Robert Machtlinger, FACC CEO, explained in his address. Through expanding the plant, FACC has made an important investment in the future while making a clear commitment to Upper Austria where the company employs over 3,000 members of staff. New projects worth over EUR 750 million combined with an order backlog of USD 5.9 billion will create up to 700 additional jobs in the coming years.
In 2017, FACC launched a multi-year investment program at its Austrian sites, in the scope of which approximately EUR 100 million will be allocated to new plant buildings and facilities as well as to research and product development. As a result, the aerospace group is not only responding to the general growth trend in the industry, but is also actively preparing for the technological requirements of the future. Today, FACC is significantly contributing to making the mobility of tomorrow lighter, more efficient, more comfortable and more environmentally friendly. With its current investment program, the company is sustainably strengthening its technological leadership. An intelligent mix of investments in new technologies, automation, Industry 4.0 and efficiency-enhancing measures ensures FACC's long-term competitiveness and profitability.
The official opening today of 6,400 m2 of additional production space is the first step in the strategic investment program. "We have invested EUR 36 million in the first of these three phases; further extensive investments will follow in 2018 and beyond," declared Robert Machtlinger. "We are thus creating the necessary capacities to convert our order backlog of around USD 5.9 billion into sustainable growth."
FACC summer celebration with Ibiza flair
After the official opening ceremony, the staff and their families had plenty of time to enjoy the variety of the FACC summer celebrations. Exciting stage events, a breathtaking air show and a 60-metre high skyview tower provided plenty of fun and left no room for boredom. Daring members of the FACC crew were able to put their bravery to the test during bull riding. In a beach volleyball tournament, players competed for the first FACC Beach Volleyball Trophy, and World Cup presenter Florian Baumgartner added a professional feel directly from Klagenfurt.
There was also something for our young guests: Daring heights were experienced on the bungee trampoline while the air slide guaranteed great fun. Face-painting for children and a children's cinema with supervision ensured that parents got the opportunity to relax.
The well-known Ö3 live band X-Dream and star DJ Eric Fischer created a great atmosphere and brought Ibiza flair to the Innviertel. The celebrations lasted until midnight and guests enjoyed pure summer feeling with cocktails from showbar mixers. Food trucks from all over Austria provided culinary highlights such as hotdogs, burgers and grilled chicken, and to cool down, Icezeit ice cream from Salzburg was served.
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