Fronius is completely rebuilding its R&D facility in Thalheim and setting new standards for an energy-efficient R&D infrastructure.

Fronius is completely rebuilding its facility in Thalheim, which originally started work in 1973. Now that production and logistics have been transferred to the new site in Sattledt, the entire 35,000 square metre site in Thalheim is available. Research & Development (R&D) will in future have at its disposal 22,500 square metres of gross floor area in the new building. The new building in Thalheim will be one of the largest R&D facilities in Upper Austria.

Fronius, a family business, ploughs 6.8% of its turnover back into research, well above the average for an Austrian company. "Our radical innovations transform whole industry sectors" says Heinz Hackl, the head of R&D, with a twinkle in his eye. With over 270 researchers and developers working on innovative projects, Fronius has a global reputation as a leader in its technical field. Its proximity to the higher technical institutes and colleges in Wels, Hagenberg and Steyr, not to mention the surrounding universities, make the site in Thalheim an excellent location for creative engineers.

Fronius is installing at its Thalheim site a carefully designed and highly-efficient air conditioning and power system, integrating a wide variety of different energy sources as well as its own solar technologies. It is anticipated that no more than 50 kW/h/m²/year of energy will be used for heating. The building that will be created will be highly efficient and emit no CO2. This Passivhaus standard is unique among energy-intensive research facilities and can be held up as a shining example. In accordance with its corporate philosophy, Fronius is thus making an active contribution towards protecting the climate.

This "timeless, innovative building" has been designed by the Frankfurt-based architects Schneider & Schumacher. Construction work is scheduled to start this autumn. Before then, over the summer, Fronius will be demolishing the old production and logistics buildings and preparing the whole site for the groundbreaking ceremony. Some 400 researchers and developers will find themselves working here in years to come.

Fronius develops, produces and distributes battery chargers, welding technology and inverters for photovoltaic systems worldwide. The group has four production sites in Austria, the Czech Republic and Ukraine plus more than twelve sales subsidiaries in Europe and America - including three new ones in Mexico, Canada and Italy. It also has more than 130 international representatives. The company employs 2,221 employees worldwide, 1,661 of whom are based in Austria.

In 2007 Fronius achieved a turnover of €298.5 million, with 88.2% coming from exports. 16.8% of turnover is re-invested with a further 6.8% going to R&D. Fronius owns 469 international patents. One third of all products sold are less than three years old.

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