PALFINGER news

PALFINGER: From Löbau out into the World – The New European Hub for Access Platforms is Officially Open

16.05.2024

PALFINGER has been investing heavily since 2021 in expanding and modernizing the Löbau site, reinforcing its position as the world's leading provider of the very latest access platforms. Digitalization and electrification will make these versatile and increasingly popular products a further pillar of PALFINGER’s business. The official opening of the European hub for access platforms took place today.

Access platforms can do everything. They are reliable, flexible and can be used wherever safe and fast work is required on all levels. Thanks to electrification and digitalization, high-performance materials and innovative engineering, they are opening up attractive long-term market opportunities for PALFINGER. “Our goal is to expand the access platforms into a second strong product line in addition to our main product, the loader crane. That is where the Löbau site plays a very special role,” says Alexander Susanek, COO at PALFINGER. “Here, we have made investments specifically in product development, know-how and quality. With a larger capacity assembly line and our focus on service, we are now hitting the ground running.”

At the opening ceremony, State Secretary of the Saxon State Ministry for Economic Affairs, Labour and Transport, Thomas Kralinski, emphasized the importance of PALFINGER as a reliable employer for the region: "Today is a very good day for Upper Lusatia, because PALFINGER, as a true hidden champion, is committed to growth in the region. The mechanical engineering site in Löbau has a long history. With today's reopening of the site for access platforms, PALFINGER proves that the location not only has tradition, but also a bright future. Despite the current economic challenges, companies in Saxony continue investing - even outside the urban centers. In doing so, they are creating qualified jobs in the Free State of Saxony and contributing to the positive development of entire regions.”
 

Access platforms as drivers of growth and value creation

During the past three years, PALFINGER has invested more than EUR 14 million in expanding the Löbau site. An area of around 78,000 m² is now home to a state-of-the-art production hall, an in-house test area, a service center and offices. A total of around 300 people are employed in Löbau, a fifth more than two years ago.

“We have built up a hub in Löbau that benefits our entire company and all our customers and partners. The know-how from here goes all over the world, and at the same time Löbau is part of our international network, enabling us to work well and be successful in an economically volatile environment,” says Maria Koller, CHRO at PALFINGER. “We have invested in Löbau because we recognized the potential of the highly qualified specialists here. We have built up a strong team, in whom we will continue to invest in the future.”

All four platform classes assembled in Germany are put together here in Löbau, from the Light NX class, Premium class, and Jumbo NX, to the Top class, reaching working heights ranging from 18 to 90 meters. More than ten models are currently being built here, from the P 900, which is the largest platform with a working height of 90 meters, to the minimum emission and especially quiet P 280 CK eDRIVE access platform.

Following the expansion, the Löbau site is the company’s largest access platform assembly site and is embedded in PALFINGER's strong European production and development network, which includes sites such as Cadelbosco (Italy) and Köstendorf (Austria).
 

Opening Ceremony with around 200 Guests

The official opening of the Löbau site was celebrated today with around 200 guests. Representatives from politics, industry, science, and education accepted PALFINGER's invitation, along with partners from a total of 13 countries.
 

PALFINGER in Germany

PALFINGER has a strong service network in Germany and, in addition to its site in Löbau, also operates sites in Krefeld, Duisburg, Ilsfeld and Hamburg. The distribution center in Bremen (Germany), working together with Toulouse (France) and Lengau (Austria), ensures that spare parts are available throughout Europe within 24 hours. The first PALFINGER flagship store is currently under construction in Poing near Munich.

Further information and photos from today's opening can be found here (Copyright: PALFINGER): Löbau opening — Google Drive
 

Perfection in Action

Images & Videos


ABOUT PALFINGER AG

PALFINGER is an international technology and mechanical engineering company and the world’s leading producer and provider of innovative crane and lifting solutions. With around 12,650 employees (without contract workers), 30 manufacturing sites and a worldwide sales and service network of around 5,000 service points, PALFINGER creates added value from the challenges of its customers. PALFINGER is consistently continuing on its course as a provider of innovative, complete solutions that deliver increased efficiency and better operability, while leveraging the potential of digitalization along the entire production and value chain.

PALFINGER AG has been listed on the Vienna stock exchange since 1999, and in 2023 achieved record revenue of EUR 2.45 billion.

 

QUERIES TO

Elisabeth Egle | Senior Specialist Public Relations | Corporate Marketing & Communications | PALFINGER AG
M +43 664 8513218  | e.egle@palfinger.com