Over 11,000 visitors had the opportunity to explore the cutting-edge pellet, wood log, combi and wood chip boilers from Hargassner over the course of two days. The 40th anniversary of the biomass pioneer commenced with an exclusive gala evening, during which 850 invited guests were able to toast the anniversary in the newly constructed Service Center. On 7 and 8 September, thousands of visitors came to Weng im Innkreis to experience the new production halls, spectacular demonstrations of agricultural equipment, engaging specialist presentations and much more. We were fortunate to have favourable weather conditions, which allowed us to offer a nature-based children’s entertainment programme that proved highly popular with younger attendees. Following the presentations by our ÖSV athletes, there was an opportunity for attendees to obtain autographs and receive advice on ski jumping.
Late summer and Hargassner made it a hot weekend. The atmosphere was naturally ‘full of energy’. Qualified Hargassner staff gave more than 1,000 consultations on sustainable boilers, solar panels and heat pumps. Detailed information on subsidies and guided tours of the site were among the many highlights. Additionally, 50 exhibitors from the forestry and agricultural sectors enriched the programme, taking visitors on an incredible journey through time since the company was founded in the Innviertel region of Upper Austria.
Focus on farmers and heating system renovators
Three stages provided 18 specialist presentations a day on boiler replacement and biomass. The Energy World’s in-house cinema attracted house builders and renovators, while farmers were drawn to in the agricultural and forestry focal points in the tent hall – right next to the large exhibition of agricultural and forestry equipment. Ten chippers with a total of 6500 hp alone chopped with an enormous spectacle during the guided tours. House builders discovered innovations such as the new Airflow-M air-to-water heat pump and thermal vacuum flat-plate collectors from Hargassner subsidiary ThermoSolar.
“We are proud of our sustainable heating technology, because renewable energies and environmentally friendly heating systems are necessary for climate protection and the conservation of natural resources,’” says Managing Director Anton Hargassner.
Highlights on the company's 110,000 square-metre site
During the tour of the gigantic production halls, Hargassner employees gave an exciting demonstration of the various stations, including one of the most modern sheet metal processing plants in Europe.
A Schlüter Super 2000 TVL tractor was a particular highlight for the vintage vehicle fans, with an entire fan club travelling all the way from Freising in Bavaria to see it.
On Sunday, Upper Austrian State Councillor Stefan Kaineder visited the in-house exhibition and discovered, among other things, external container heating systems and large Magno industrial boilers. Such powerful systems are normally only seen in the boiler rooms of commercial enterprises or in local heating plants for entire towns. The unique thing about these industrial heating systems is that they are also 100% Co2-neutral.
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Entertainment for young and old
The Sunday morning pint with 35 musicians from the Trachtenmusikkapelle Weng provided entertainment for everyone. Even senior manager and owner Anton Hargassner himself conducted on stage. This was followed by talks and autograph sessions with ÖSV ski jumping stars such as Philipp Aschenwald, Jaqueline Seifriedsberger, Daniel Tschofenig, and Julia Mühlbacher.
The wooden wheel of fortune was already running hot on Saturday, with more than 2,000 visitors spinning a total of 14.5 tonnes of pellets and almost 2,000 other prizes. In the ‘Take as much as you can carry’ competition, the strongest winner shouldered eight (!) 15-kilo sacks of pellets. The excellent catering, from veggie burgers and chicken to pizzas, homemade cakes, and farm ice cream, delighted everyone. 100% of the proceeds went to the neighbouring associations and farm shops that provided the catering.
Regional farm shops and caterers presented natural dishes and organic flavours. Speaking of “close to nature,” the young guests were also catered for. Together with a forest educator, they were able to discover the energy forest with all their senses, make small works of art from fresh wood in the yurt of the green wood mobile, and take a spin on the upcycling carousel. The in-house exhibition was also an adventure for the little ones. The bravest tried their hand at the K1 mobile ski jump.
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State-of-the-art & fast customer service
The fact that most of the new service centre was already open to the public made the experience even more impressive for the adults. During guided tours of the new Wenger landmark, they marvelled at the modern training workshop already set up, the fully automated ‘Servus’ high-bay warehouse, and the crèche for the year-round care of employees’ children. The building complex also offers free ‘rental space’, i.e. offices and business premises for rent to local companies and start-ups.
The state-of-the-art spare parts warehouse was inaugurated in time for the in-house exhibition and will further improve service for Hargassner’s installer partners. “In the new automated small parts warehouse with transport robots and an automated picking station, which enables hybrid picking processes, the speed and efficiency of processing customer orders is taken to a whole new level,” says Managing Director Markus Hargassner.
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Green event with unique wooden car park
Sustainability was high on the agenda at the Green Event. A vintage VW van was used as a shuttle to nearby stations to facilitate train travel. Many visitors were impressed to be the first to use the brand-new wooden car park – an already internationally acclaimed reference project in cooperation with the nearby company WIEHAG from Altheim and the architecture firm Matulik.
This wooden car park, which was fully occupied during the days of the in-house exhibition, allowed 1,500 tonnes of CO2 to be ‘stored’ in the wood. Its design and dimensions make it unique in Central Europe. The oldest timber buildings in the world are more than 1,000 years old, so there is nothing to stop the new building from having a long life. The wooden car park has 500 parking spaces on ten levels. Self-generated PV electricity from the roof is fed into the 30 electric charging points.
The start of the timber construction work was only in February 2024, and then things progressed quickly. One floor was completed in four days. With ten floors, the building was completed in just 40 days. The façade is a blend of functionality and aesthetics. The 3,400 square metres of larch cladding protects the timber construction behind it and allows for good ventilation. It gives the building a dynamic appearance,” explains Florian Pommer, Hargassner’s project manager for the new building. “This is the ‘coolest’ car park ever,” commented presenter and climate expert Andreas Jäger.
The event was a win-win situation for every visitor—and for many, it was also the impetus to finally switch to sustainable heating from Hargassner. And that is definitely a win for the wallet and the climate.
From the Federal Minister to the ÖSV Sports Director
The list of political guests of honour was long. Max Hiegelsberger, President of the Upper Austrian Parliament; Dr Manfred Haimbuchner, Provincial Minister for Residential Construction; Gerhard Wiesner, Mayor of Weng; Doris Hummer, President of the Chamber of Commerce; August Wöginger, Chairman of the Austrian People’s Party and National Councillor; and Dr Martin Kocher, Federal Minister for Labour and Economic Affairs were all on stage. Also in the audience were Members of Parliament David Schießl and Klaus Mühlbacher, and Braunau District Governor Gerald Kronberger.
Max Hiegelsberger summed up everyone’s opinion: “Looking to the future, biomass heating systems need innovations like those from Hargassner.” August Wöginger added: “The Innviertel is one of Austria’s up-and-coming regions. This has only been possible thanks to the courage of entrepreneurs like the Hargassner family.” Martin Kocher referred to the company’s international appeal: “This is only possible with self-confidence and cross-generational thinking. This also includes looking after employees and training apprentices. The next generation is the key to success.”
In addition to many ÖSV ski jumping stars, the President of the International Luge Federation (FIL), Einars Fogelis; Olympic champion Toni Innauer; and ÖSV sports director Mario Stecher were also guests.
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