Craiss expands its location in Weiz: future-proofing through strategic expansion

• Logistics company invests in comprehensive expansion of its Weiz site

• Expansion increases efficiency and sustainability

• Craiss strengthens its position as a strategic partner for technology logistics

 

Involved in the site expansion project (from left to right): Matthias Unger (CEO and owner of Unger Stahlbau Ges. m. b. H.), Michael Craiss (Managing Partner of Craiss Generation Logistik GmbH & Co. KG) and Hagen Temmel (Partner of CUT Logistikimmobilien GmbH) at the groundbreaking ceremony for the site expansion in Weiz, Austria, on 8th October.

Weiz, 9th October 2024 – Craiss Generation Logistik Austria GmbH & Co. KG continues its growth course and announces a comprehensive expansion of its site in Weiz, Austria. With the roughly 20,000-square-metre extension, Craiss is responding to the increasing requirements of its technology customer Siemens Energy. Since the opening of the dedicated warehouse in 2021, the logistics company in Weiz, Eastern Styria, has been offering specialised services that go far beyond conventional warehouse logistics. Construction work began with a ceremonial ground-breaking on 8th October.

"Our goal is to ensure the long-term competitiveness of Siemens Energy while maximising our own growth potential. Being close to our customer's plant enables us to respond quickly and flexibly to their needs and to offer tailor-made logistics solutions," explains Michael Craiss, Managing Director of Craiss Generation Logistik Austria GmbH & Co. KG. The expansion should be completed by the beginning of 2026 and offer the electrical and energy technology manufacturer additional production areas that it can no longer realise in its main plant.

Efficiency and cost reduction through consolidation
The extension includes around 20,000 square metres of storage and production space, 10,500 square metres of additional open-air storage space, and more than 600 square metres of office space. With this enlargement, the company can consolidate its field warehouses and thus increase efficiency and reduce costs and emissions. A central advantage of the expansion is the proximity to the connection to the railway network, which is used both for the production facility and for the logistics centre. "With this connection to the rail network, we are reducing truck traffic and thus lowering CO2 emissions. This is an important step towards more sustainable logistics," emphasises Craiss.

Specialised services for demanding technology customers
In addition to classic warehouse logistics, Craiss Generation Logistik Austria GmbH & Co. KG offers a variety of additional services at its Weiz site. "Our portfolio includes paintwork, quality controls, and special packaging solutions. These services require highly qualified personnel and profound expertise, which we are continuously expanding," explains Craiss. The new rail connection will optimise the transport of components, some of which weigh tonnes and place special demands on logistics solutions.

Sustainability and economic significance for the region
The expansion strengthens Weiz as a business location while, at the same time, focusing on sustainability. "We integrate renewable energies, such as district heating and photovoltaics, into our concept. By concentrating storage capacities at one location, we are also significantly reducing truck traffic," explains Craiss. Furthermore, the company is also relying on green technologies at its Weiz site: "In order to further minimise our ecological footprint, we are investing in electric trucks that will be commuting between the production facility and the logistics centre from as early as November this year. Although this is associated with higher costs for the time being, we see it as an important step towards improving our environmental record." The customer's growth will create new jobs, which means that 100 to 120 employees will be working at the Weiz site in future.

Weiz as a strategic hub
Due to its proximity to Graz, the managing director considers the region to be strategically favourable. In addition, the support of local authorities is making a significant contribution to the successful implementation of the project. "We see ourselves as a long-term partner both for our customers and for the region. The collaboration with the local authorities and our customer during planning was extremely cooperative," emphasises Craiss. The company is planning further investments in Austria in the coming years, including in Ebergassing, in order to support its continuous growth. "Our task is to help our customers remain competitive in the global market. Only if they remain strong can we also be successful in our actions," says Craiss.