CERCLE DIPLOMATIQUE - issue 02/2023

L’AUTRICHE BUSINESS LOCATION WELS
Eventhighlights
03.−04.06.
Austria Comic Con
Peter Jungreithmair, Wels Marketing & Touristik
„Punkten nicht nur mit Wirtschafts-, sondern auch mit Lebensqualität.“
“Wels excels not only in economic viability but also in quality of life.”
24.−25.06.
City Triathlon Austria FestiWels
30.06.−01.07. Welser Stadtfest
Wer in Wels andocken will: www.wels.gv.at
Who wants to dock in Wels: www.wels.gv.at
there are no deserted streets.” Wels also has
ambitious plans for local recreation within
the trade fair grounds. “We are investing 35
million euro in a new 10,000 square metre
exhibition hall and the restoration of the old
trade fair grounds, which will become Wels
Central Park, inspired by the New York model.”
Does this mean trade fairs are no longer
a draw? “On the contrary,” counters Andreas
Rabl, “during the COVID-19 pandemic, we
discovered that digital trade fairs simply don’t
cut it. After all, people want to network in
person. We shouldn’t overlook the indirect
returns offered by trade fairs either. Messe
Wels brings 700,000 visitors a year to the city,
and as an operator, we expect to see six-figure
profits once again in 2022.”
Hydrogen expertise from Wels
Not only the WEBUILD Energiesparmesse
Wels trade fair and various established family
businesses, but also innovative start-ups
have propelled Wels to global fame in the
energy technology sector. For instance,
French automotive supplier Plastic Omnium,
a billion-euro stock market-listed company,
acquired a start-up founded by students at
the University of Applied Sciences Upper
Austria, designating Wels as a hub for hydrogen
expertise. Fuel cell production is set to
commence this year, with the first hydrogenpowered
lorries from Wels expected to hit the
roads by 2025. Why Wels, in particular? For
one, EU funds are available, and the Upper
Austrian province is also co-funding the IP-
CEI (“Important Projects of Common European
Interest”) project. “In the first phase, six
million euro will be made available, potentially
increasing to 40 million euro in the second
phase. However, funding isn’t the sole
deciding factor,” emphasises Andreas Rabl,
Mayor of Wels. He adds, “Wels is also highly
appealing as a research location because, at
our size, approvals are faster, more direct, and
more flexible. With the Faculty of Technology
and Applied Natural Sciences at the University
of Applied Sciences, Upper Austria is
well-equipped to take a leading role in H2
research.”
The new hydrogen research centre will
partially occupy premises at the FH Oberösterreich
Campus Wels, which will also sponsor
the new “Centre of Excellence”. The focus
will be on greenhouse gas-intensive industries
such as paper and printing, chemical and
pharmaceutical production, metal production
and processing, and mineral raw material
processing. The University of Applied Sciences
Upper Austria offers seven energy
degree programmes, ranging from applied
energy technology to energy computer science
and sustainable energy systems.
Hopes for a technical university
There are also discussions about Wels potentially
gaining a technical university. The
education system’s focus on (energy) technical
subjects and the availability of skilled workers
are two primary reasons why Elisabeth
Engelbrechtsmüller-Strauß, managing director
and co-owner of Fronius International
GmbH, values the Wels region as a company
base. “At our research and development site
in Thalheim alone, we already employ almost
800 skilled workers who are busy fine-tuning
the predominantly digital solutions of tomorrow.
We’re a technology company, and innovation
is crucial for our survival. We grow
through it, not through acquisitions.” Fronius
has converted all of its production sites in
Austria to utilise renewable energy. By the
end of 2023, the company aims to produce
over 52,000 inverters per month, representing
an increase of more than 65 percent due
to the expanding solar market and increased
production capacities. Globally, the Welsbased
company employs around 6,100 people
with 37 subsidiaries and sales partners in
over 60 countries, boasting an export share of
89 percent.
Valuable Wels diplomacy
The internationalisation of operations has
also been facilitated by numerous diplomatic
efforts from the small town in Upper Austria.
“We have many city and business partnerships,
maintain regular contact with ambassadors,
and organise international delegations
to visit our companies on-site,” says
Mayor Andreas Rabl. He mentions that a dedicated
office within the Wels administration
handles foreign contacts and business partnerships.
Wels’ twin cities include Bistrita,
Romania; Chichigalpa, Nicaragua; Krasnodar,
southern Russia; Straubing, Bavaria; and
Tábor, the Czech Republic. A number of traffic
connections link to Wels and rumours
suggest a four-stage expansion of the Westautobahn
motorway near Wels is in the pipeline.
PHOTOS: ROBERT GORTANA, STADT WELS
EVENTHIGHLIGHTS
Wels, das Schmuckstück im oberösterreichischen Zentralraum,
ist eine historisch gewachsene Stadt. Ausgestattet mit
einer hervorragenden Infrastruktur ist Wels als internationale
Kongress- und Messestadt, aber auch als pulsierende Einkaufsstadt
bekannt. Attraktive Geschäfte und eine hochwertige
Gastronomieszene inmitten historischer Gebäude und
Plätze animieren zum Flanieren, Bummeln und Genießen.
WAS IST LOS IN WELS? Kultur, Unterhaltung und Begegnung
gehören zum Lebensgefühl in Wels. Von kulturellen
Veranstaltungen und Musikveranstaltungen unterschiedlichster
Genres bis hin zu sportlichen Herausforderungen
und echtem Brauchtum, in der Stadt ist immer etwas los.
Der Sommer kann kommen! Wels ist die Top Location, die
Urlaub, Sport und eine gemütliche sommerliche Atmosphäre
mitten ins Zentrum bringt. Langeweile gibt es bei uns
nicht – jede Woche finden unterschiedlichste Veranstaltungen
statt. Von klein bis groß – für jeden ist etwas dabei und
im Welser Veranstaltungskalender übersichtlich aufbereitet.
07.07.−20.08. Wels City Beach
14.−15.07.
MusikfestiWels
21.07. Ennstal Classic
22.−23.07.
European Streetfood Festival
26.07. Innenstadtkriterium
05.08. Sommerschnäppchenmarkt
11./18./25.08. Pop-up Konzerte
01.−02.09.
04.−08.09.
15.−17.09.
EVENTHIGHLIGHTS
Voi Guad Genussfestival
Welser ShoppingDays
Welser Volksfest
PULSIERT
Wels, the jewel in the central region of Upper Austria,
is a city grown out of history in the middle of nature.
Wels is known as an international congress and
trade fair city but also as a vibrant shopping city. Attractive
shops and a high-quality gastronomy scene in the
midst of historic buildings and squares invite you to
take a stroll, wander about the town and enjoy yourself.
WHAT’S HAPPENING IN WELS? Culture, entertainment
and encounters are part of the lifestyle in Wels.
From cultural events, music events of various genres
up to sporting challenges and genuine Austria traditions,
there is always something going on in the city.
Summer can come! Wels is the prime venue for holidays,
sports and a cosy summer atmosphere right in the city centre.
You’ll never be bored here – a huge range of events
takes place every week. From big to small, from book
readings or music festivals – there’s something for everyone
and clearly presented in the Wels events calendar.
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Cercle Diplomatique 2/2023
© Ennstal-Classic