Why FACC is building a new factory in Austria

120 million euros FACC wants to move into the new one 20,000 square meters invest in large production facilities, 300 new jobs should be created there despite high automation, how Robert Machtlingerthe supplier’s boss, explained on Wednesday at a press conference in Vienna. Construction work is scheduled to start and end in the fall 2027 the work should stand, in the middle 2028 start production.

If you had asked him a year ago whether FACC would make an investment of this magnitude in Austria, his answer would have been “no,” says Machtlinger. The Location stand because of the high Personnel and energy costs under pressure. With one launched in 2024 Efficiency program the group is taking action against this. This accounts for a not insignificant part of it Digitalization and automation out of. Without this, the St. Martin plant would need 650 employees instead of the planned 300. Machtlinger calculates that personnel costs have been practically halved.

series of factors

But there are also existing ones for construction in Austria Laboratory and testing facilities as well as an existing production facility with modern machines. Both would have had to be rebuilt at a different location.

Those too Proximity to research institutions and the Availability of skilled workers has worked in favor of the investment in Austria, says the FACC boss: “We would not have found this to the same extent at other locations.”

The expansion of plants in… Croatia and also outside Europe. Personnel costs have also risen significantly in countries like China and India in recent years, says Machtlinger: “If Europe doesn’t do everything wrong, the gap will close.”

FACC makes investments, which around the world 3,800 employees busy, also elsewhere. More 230 million euros should flow into growth markets by 2030. This will already pay off in Croatia in 2022 Jakovlje built work. The area has now tripled. Interior components for aircraft are manufactured there. The cabin division was also in the black in 2025 due to cheaper production. Overall, the operating result (EBIT) increased by almost half last year 42.3 million euros be increased. An increase of 11 percent was achieved 984 million euros a sales record, the billion is within reach.

The booming aviation industry – there are currently orders for manufacturers worldwide 17,770 commercial aircraft – plays into the hands of the supplier. For the current year, Machtlinger expects an increase in sales between 5 and 15 percent.

Consequences of the Iran war difficult to assess

The high range is due to the uncertain geopolitical situation and its impact on supply chains. The consequences of the Iran war on the aviation industry are currently difficult to assess, says Machtlinger. However, FACC has made advances in terms of both energy and materials.

Stock rises

The FACC share rose by more than two percent on the Vienna Stock Exchange on Wednesday and was quoted at 13,84 Euro. Within a year it has increased by almost 80 percent more expensive.