Modern living space as an incentive for skilled workers
On February 1, 2023, an open day was held at the Getzner company housing complex Klarenbrunn in Bludenz for all interested parties: Getzner Holding opened 61 energy-efficient apartments during a press conference. Two selected apartments were presented to the visitors and insights into the infrastructure as well as the outdoor area were given. Around twelve million euros were invested, therefore completion was ahead of the originally planned date of Easter 2023.
The fact that Getzner sees itself as a socially responsible employer that is loyal to its location was demonstrated once again by our company at the official handover of the keys to the modern Klarenbrunn company housing complex in Bludenz, which consists of six connected houses. The group of companies invited to an open day on February 1, 2023. Interested parties had the opportunity to visit the new company apartments for Getzner employees - from one-room micro apartments to four-room apartments - and to learn more about the energy-efficient residential complex.
In addition to Markus Comploj, CEO of Getzner Holding, architect Markus Mitiska from the architectural firm Mitiska Wäger provided information about the structural and sustainable aspects of the new building. Matthias Walter, Human Resources Manager at Getzner Textil, presented the concept behind the different apartments as well as the awarding system developed with the works council. Selina Lang, an employee in quality assurance at Getzner Textil and a tenant herself, described her motives for using a company apartment: "I am from Friedrichshafen. That's why the apartment is a great benefit for me, because now I not only have more free time, which I previously spent in my car, but also a very appealing, affordable apartment close to work." As a textile engineer, Selina Lang is an important key employee for Getzner Textil.
Social, sustainable action
With the apartments heated by geothermal energy, the Getzner companies are once again positioning themselves as a sustainability-oriented company. The residential complex uses groundwater as a natural resource: it is pumped out, the energy is used directly in the building for heating or cooling purposes, and then returned. "The direct use of groundwater enables a higher degree of efficiency than, for example, deep probes. The operating costs for this are also relatively low," Markus Comploj emphasizes.
The approximately 700 m2 playground and the private, underground waste disposal station are also innovative: "Only the insertion openings of the waste station are visible above ground, which has enabled us to increase the disposal quality and gain space. And the children's playground has above-average, attractive equipment compared to many other residential complexes. Aqua Mühle advised us on this and successfully implemented the playground as part of a social employment project for long-term unemployed people," emphasizes architect Markus Mitiska.
From a 1-room apartment to a home for families
Guests at the open house were given insights into two apartments that are still unused: Into a temporarily usable micro-apartment with co-living community space and into a 4-room family apartment. "About 90 percent of the apartments are already occupied. The ten fully furnished micro apartments are available for rent on a weekly basis. We use these in part for employees from other locations who come to us only briefly for training purposes. Partner companies will also be able to use them in the future, depending on availability," explains Matthias Walter, adding: "The larger apartments with up to four rooms, on the other hand, are popular with families for permanent rent." Two buildings located close to the railroad line are equipped with "proprietary" vibration protection - namely from Getzner Werkstoffe. It protects the structures from vibrations.
Long tradition of company housing
Getzner invested in the first company housing in Vorarlberg over 130 years ago. The neighboring former employee houses of the Klarenbrunn spinning mill dating from the 19th century are further witnesses to the company's housing tradition. "As the largest employer in the greater Bludenz area with around 1,500 employees, it is very important to us to invest in our home location. We now offer around 200 company apartments in the Bludenz area," concludes Markus Comploj.