Liebherr’s expansion plans to meet rising demand for small wheeled loaders have taken shape with a new factory in Austria.
- The current factory in Bischofshofen is constrained by geographical factors, preventing further expansion.
- The new facility in Wildon will be specifically dedicated to smaller models, enhancing production capacity.
- Liebherr aims to address the expected surge in demand, projecting the need for up to 10,000 units annually.
- The decision underscores a strategic move to decentralise production and optimise logistics and output.
Liebherr, a prominent name in the construction industry, has unveiled plans to construct a new factory for small wheeled loaders in Austria. This move is primarily to cater to the increasing market demand that surpasses the production capacity of their existing facility in Bischofshofen.
The Bischofshofen plant, currently manufacturing Liebherr’s wheeled loaders, is limited by its surrounding geography – bordered by a river, a railway, and a road. This unique positioning leaves the facility unable to expand further without undertaking complex logistical changes, impeding the possibility of horizontal expansion.
To address these operational constraints and align with market needs, Liebherr has resolved to establish a new production site located 240 kilometers away in Wildon, Styria. This site will span 200,000 square metres and focus on manufacturing smaller loader models, ranging from L 504 to L 518, including models for OEM partners John Deere and Claas.
The current Bischofshofen facility will continue to produce large and medium-sized loaders and will also engage in steel construction for the entire loader spectrum. This strategic bifurcation allows Liebherr to efficiently manage and distribute its production processes across two sites, thereby enhancing its logistic operations and meeting rising demand effectively.
Peter Schachinger, the managing director for production at Liebherr’s Bischofshofen plant, elaborates on the necessity of this expansion: “Our site is beside the B159 road that runs along the Salzach valley, and is hemmed in by the slope to Mitterberghütte, the railway line and the river Salzach. We would only be able to expand our site by building upwards. Current projects around Bischofshofen do not have the required space and would result in a complex transport concept that would further burden traffic in the region.” This statement highlights the practical challenges and underlines the rationale for relocating the production of smaller models to Wildon.
The establishment of a new factory in Wildon marks Liebherr’s proactive approach to scaling operations and addressing market demands.
