Winter Service in Transition
Interview with Mario Schober, Head of Sales at SPRINGER Municipal and Environmental Technology GmbH
With the retreat of the snowline to ever higher altitudes due to climate change, one might think that the demand for winter clearing equipment is melting as fast as the snow itself. Fortunately, the demand for the flexible and innovative snow plows as well as the spreaders of SPRINGER Municipal and Environmental Technology GmbH, a subsidiary of the Austrian specialist for wood cutting devices SPRINGER Group, remains high. With the expansion of the portfolio to include new solutions, the company is optimally positioned for the future.
The history of SPRINGER Municipal and Environmental Technology GmbH began in 1999 with the acquisition of the winter service division of the company Schillhaar, which laid the foundation for specializing in winter service equipment.
Innovation as a Foundation
A significant milestone was the introduction of the patented after-plow piano in 2010. "This innovative element, which is attached in addition to the blade of a snow plow, allows for more effective snow removal by removing more material from the road without damaging the surface," explains Mario Schober, who started his apprenticeship at the company 19 years ago and has since gradually risen to become the sales manager.
The Right Equipment for Every Road
The product range of Springer Municipal and Environmental Technology GmbH is diverse and includes snow plows in various sizes up to spreaders with a volume of up to 10,000 l. "We are Austria's largest manufacturer of spreaders for trucks and Unimogs," Mario Schober proudly emphasizes. The machines are designed to be mounted on different types of vehicles. "In the past, municipalities often had special vehicles only for winter service. Today, we focus on multifunctionality," says Mario Schober. This allows municipalities to use the vehicles all year round, which is becoming increasingly important in times of tight budgets.
Environmental Technology Solutions
In recent years, SPRINGER has expanded its portfolio to also offer products for environmental technology. "We develop machines for the recycling of residual wood in the sawmill industry," explains Mario Schober. "A newly developed chipper that breaks down wood waste into smaller pieces will soon be introduced at the wood trade fair in Hannover," he announces. This diversification enables the company to respond to various market needs and to use synergies within the SPRINGER Group.
E-Mobility in Winter Services
A forward-looking topic in the industry is the electrification of winter service technology. "We are working on an electric spreader to reduce energy consumption and offer more sustainable solutions," explains Mario Schober. Currently, however, the industry faces challenges, especially regarding charging infrastructure. "When it snows, many vehicles are in operation at the same time, and the charging capacity is often insufficient," he continues.
Internationally Successful
The company is active not only in Austria but also in the German-speaking region and beyond. "While 70% of the revenue is generated in Austria, the rest is generated in other countries," explains Mario Schober. In contrast to municipal technology, which is strongly locally oriented, the company operates globally in the sawmill industry.
Employees and Training
With about 60 employees in municipal and environmental technology, SPRINGER is a significant employer in the region. "We place great emphasis on the training of young professionals and are currently training 10% of our staff," says Mario Schober. Close cooperation with the SPRINGER Group enables us to leverage synergies in training and to improve apprenticeship training through joint training workshops.
Future Outlook
Despite climate change, the company remains optimistic. "Winters are becoming more extreme, with years of little and heavy snow," says Mario Schober. This requires an adjustment of strategies in winter service. "Spreading technology will continue to be important in order to keep the roads passable, even as the snow decreases," says Schober.