In conversation with ... Sprecher Automation

115 years of progress: Sprecher Automation as a driving force behind sustainable electricity infrastructure

Sprecher Automation, which has been based on Franckstraße in Linz for over 100 years, is today synonymous with pioneering solutions in the digitalisation of transmission and distribution networks, as well as generation facilities for critical electricity infrastructure.

The company adheres to a clear philosophy: It invests in products, people and processes – not in prestige projects. Organic growth and a strong customer focus characterise the corporate culture. The company currently employs over 800 staff, around 560 of whom are based in Austria.

Together with Erwin Raffeiner, Managing Director of Sprecher Automation GmbH, the Business and Innovation Department looked back on 115 years of history and ahead to the future of the energy transition.

International focus meets domestic R&D

With 16 sites across seven countries and a team comprising more than 20 nationalities, Sprecher Automation has a strong international presence. Hand in hand with this, internationalisation plays a major role: with around 15 per cent of its core business coming from the domestic market, Sprecher Automation focuses on Central and Northern Europe.

For several years now, the company has also been expanding into the Gulf States (GCC), where a steep growth curve can be observed. Despite economic challenges, Sprecher Automation remains committed to manufacturing exclusively in Austria and focuses on a high level of innovation – over 30 per cent of its technicians work in research and development. “Ensuring the long-term viability of Austria as a production location is a key priority, as is our involvement in industry associations to strengthen the country’s position as a manufacturing hub,” says Erwin Raffeiner, emphasising the importance of domestic production.

Koralm Tunnel milestone: innovation for rail infrastructure

Sprecher is currently particularly proud of two pioneering projects which underscore the Linz-based company’s innovative strength not only in Austria but also beyond its borders. The Koralm Railway, which has linked Graz with Klagenfurt since 2025, and its centrepiece – the Koralm Tunnel, which at 33 km in length is the sixth-longest tunnel in the world – are largely operated using solutions provided by the Linz-based company.

Sprecher Automation is responsible for the complete control, monitoring and protection of the equipment within the tunnel. This challenging project was implemented over a period of five years to the full satisfaction of ÖBB. It is worth noting that not only the Koralm Tunnel, but also a large part of ÖBB’s power supply is controlled by equipment from the company’s premises on Franckstraße in Linz. In this way, Sprecher Automation makes a decisive contribution to safe and efficient mobility in Austria.

Offshore wind farms: Pioneering work for Europe’s energy transition

The company is setting international standards with the automation of offshore wind farms. A total of 27 wind farms are currently under construction on the high seas, up to 300 kilometres from the mainland. There, the turbines benefit from consistent wind conditions and achieve up to 40 per cent greater efficiency than comparable onshore projects. Once completed, these wind farms will generate four times as much electricity as Austria consumes annually – an impressive contribution to Europe’s sustainable energy supply. Sprecher Automation is already in discussions regarding further projects and has specialised in the challenges of the energy transition.

“Both projects exemplify the transformation of the energy system whilst also securing jobs in Austria. The company’s innovative strength is evident not only in its technology, but also in its ability to use software to replace valuable raw materials and harness renewable energy through electronic systems,” notes Raffeiner.

Local roots and global responsibility

Sprecher Automation combines local roots with an international presence. The solutions developed in Linz ensure that electrical energy flows reliably and sustainably – thereby making a decisive contribution to decarbonisation and the dynamic development of our world. The company has had its roots in Linz for 115 years.

Historical photographs bear witness to this development: from switches that were once transported by horse-drawn carts to the most advanced digitalisation solutions of the 21st century, Sprecher Automation has seen it all. Today, Linz is Austria’s industrial hub, and Sprecher Automation benefits from the city’s ideal size and compact layout.

Its excellent transport links make Linz the ideal location for production and as a corporate headquarters. “The balance between size and manageability is a key advantage that also extends to the corporate culture: big enough for innovation and growth, small enough for flexibility and a close-knit atmosphere,” says Erwin Raffeiner, highlighting the benefits of the Linz location.

Vision for the future and sustainable business success

Looking to the future, Sprecher Automation hopes that Linz will maintain its healthy balance between industrial requirements and quality of life. In conclusion, Raffeiner emphasises that “the focus must not be on shareholder value, but on stakeholder value – that is, the sustainable benefit for all those involved.”

According to the managing director, Linz can only influence this framework to a limited extent, but as a location it offers ideal conditions for a successful future. With a clear vision and a strong team, Sprecher Automation is shaping the future of energy supply – with local roots and international success.

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