„Young Entrepreneur Award 2007“ presented to Hartl Anlagenbau in Mauthausen.
Fifteen years ago the business chamber of Upper Austria started awarding companies who excel in specific industries and who exhibit outstanding qualities. This years winner in the category “Outstanding Young Company in a Traditional Industry” was awarded to Mauthausen based Hartl Anlagenbau GmbH.
Hartl, under the trade name “Powercrusher”, is a leading producer and designer of mobile crushing and screening plants, and has been so for the past thirty years. The family’s third generation is showing that there is plenty more power in reserve. The three brothers Dominik Hartl, Alexander Hartl and Stefan Palmetshofer registered the company in 2001 and have been showing the whole world how to make customers happy in this “hard as rock” business.
For years the Hartl machines have been in high demand around the world. No matter what application – natural stone, demolition, recycling, concrete – Hartl machines prove their worth and reliability. Environmental sensitivity is strengthening, which means that recycling is slowly becoming the norm – this is further increasing the demand for Powercrusher “made in Austria”.
Getting a business to this highly successful level doesn’t come easily – Hartl had to provide above average service to become globally desirable.
The three young owners have put a lot of energy and time into building up a professional and operational global distribution network. 43 reliable dealers now represent Hartl in roughly 50 countries.
An estimated 96% of their production is exported globally with a big percentage of all exports going to Europe and North America. Owing to growth in the USA, Hartl set up a Nevada based office and spare parts warehouse in 2005.
The Hartl Powercrusher crushing and screening combination in operation in Morocco.
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| Hartl is also very proud to have market share in a number of eastern European countries. In Russia, where Powercrusher machines can be seen almost everywhere, the demand for high capacity, heavy duty machines are great.
In quarries, massive recycling plants and gigantic pipeline projects (Surgut Neftegas in Siberia) the Hartl crushers are proving to be the best choice for many companies. This is thanks to Hartl’s flexibility and determination to “make it work”. They developed a “Cold Climate Package” that fits onto the crushers enabling them to work in extreme locations where temperatures get as cold as minus 30 degrees centigrade.
Hartl Powercrusher has also forged close relationships with construction giants like Necso, Dragados, Colas and Strabag. Recently, Venezuela’s president, Hugo Chavez complimented the Hartl machines at a press conference while visiting a new hydroelectric dam construction site.
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The three young entrepreneurs from Mauthausen are constantly surprising the entire industry with their innovative new developments. Construction machines must be robust and functional - but gone are the days that they have to look like massive steel dinosaurs. Hartl designs are fresh and are at the cutting edge of the crushing and screening industry. In 2003 they were awarded with the International Design Award Red-Dot “Best of the Best”. The Red Dot Award is one of the most sought after and prestigious awards in the world. Since 1955 the design centre Nordrhein Westfalen awards companies exhibiting innovation, functionality and ergonomics.
The three brothers know one thing – company success depends on the quality of the employees. It is why utmost importance is placed on the selection process of key personnel. Internal and external training also plays a major role.
In the coming years, the investments in HR will pay off – they will be needing more and more qualified people. This year will see the construction of their 12 000 m3 production facility. The start-up of the complex is scheduled to be in 2008 and will require an additional 160 employees.
Hartl has already started planning for the new complex – they have recently opened an interim assembly hall in Enns. Here the necessary training is given that will be required to operate the production hall in 2008. Management have already authorized two apprentice casting programs – these programs take local boys on as apprentices and train them to work in the machine construction industry.
Company growth is a part of becoming a global leader – constant feedback from the people using the machines is critical.
2006 saw the companies turnover grow by 20% to 40 million euro. 2007 is expected to grow by a further 20%. The recognition of Hartl is not only a tribute to the managers, but also the entire Hartl-team. New ideas, quality products and excellent customer service programs will keep this company at the global forefront of the crushing and screening industry as well as further enhance Upper Austria as a business leader.
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The new assembly hall in Enns. |
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