HANSA-FLEX Worldwide: Austria

Over half of Austria is situated in the Alpine region. With over 40 Rapid Hydraulic Service vehicles and a large number of workshop containers, HANSA‑FLEX Hydraulik GmbH is always close to the customer – whether it’s on lofty mountain peaks or deep underground.

Mountain peaks, alpine meadows, lakes, picturesque towns, art treasures such as "The Kiss" by Gustav Klimt, or Schönbrunn Palace: Austria has a great deal to offer both in terms of landscape and culture. But it is not only tourism that plays a major economic role in this landlocked country. Industries such as iron and steel as well as the chemical, wood and paper industries and mechanical engineering make a significant contribution to the country’s exports. HANSA‑FLEX Austria is just as diversely positioned: "Our customers come from all sectors. From small farmers to large agricultural groups, from Danube shipping to tunnel construction, from family businesses to major industrial corporations: we offer the entire range of the HANSA‑FLEX product and service portfolio," explains Jürgen Albrecht, Managing Director of HANSA‑FLEX Hydraulik GmbH. This also results in cooperations such as the one with Spir Star, for which the company has set up a dedicated production facility in Gerasdorf. On an area of 250 square metres, hydraulics experts assemble thermoplastic high-pressure hoses for pressure ranges up to 4,000 bar.

HANSA‑FLEX Austria endeavours to find the best possible solution for every customer enquiry. The best way to do this is through dialogue. "Networking is one of HANSA‑FLEX's greatest strengths. Whether it's enquiries about special projects such as the repair of large cylinders, know-how transfer or personnel support: we always help one another," emphasises Jürgen Albrecht. The fact that working together is not only a guiding principle, but also part of the company's DNA, is also demonstrated by the close relationship between management and employees. “Over the course of our time together, a very close relationship of trust develops as we get to know and appreciate one another," emphasises Jürgen Albrecht.

The history of the Albrecht family is closely linked to HANSA‑FLEX. "My father was an official at Deutsche Post and knew Joachim Armerding from the time they were at school together. Many years later, he met him again at a class reunion and then joined HANSA‑FLEX in 1979," reports Albrecht. His brother Axel also joined the company. The father-and-son team set up branches together and drove the expansion eastwards. This is how HANSA‑FLEX Hydraulik GmbH came into being, covering not only Austria but also the Czech Republic, Hungary, Slovakia and the United Arab Emirates. Jürgen Albrecht himself joined HANSA‑FLEX at the end of the 1990s, and became Managing Director of HANSA‑FLEX Hydraulik GmbH in 2000. He also oversees operations in Italy, England, Switzerland and the United Arab Emirates. His son Merlin is carrying on the family tradition as team leader of HANSA‑FLEX Hydraulik GmbH in Graz, and is supporting Hungary and the Czech Republic while also developing the market in Mexico.

Continuous improvement takes centre stage at HANSA‑FLEX Austria. To achieve this, the company challenges existing structures, promotes an open feedback culture and encourages employees to get actively involved. Sustainability also plays a pivotal role. "We have an obligation to the environment as well as to society," emphasises Albrecht. “For this purpose, we are implementing a range of projects in various areas, from energy generation to the closed-loop economy.” The entire fleet of sales vehicles has already been converted to electric drive systems, and is charged with electricity from the company's own photovoltaic installations. In addition, HANSA‑FLEX recycles used hose lines. "We have carried out a range of tests, including pyrolysis. In the process we heated hoses to 500 °C to break them down into their solid (coke) and liquid (oil and gas) components. However, this method uses a lot of energy," explains Albrecht. An efficient interim solution was then developed: a service provider extracts the steel and shreds the rubber, which is re-used as a binding agent for oil. Air-to-heat pumps, continuous reduction and offsetting of CO2 emissions are further components of the company’s environmental strategy. "We aren't resting on our laurels, but aim to improve continuously. In every respect," concludes Albrecht.