What do a 4D theater in China – the largest in the world, the cinematic installation around James Bond in Sölden and the multimedia underwater world at the new National Geographic attraction in NYC’s Times Square have in common? They were all realized thanks to the technical expertise of the Wels-based company Kraftwerk Living Technologies.
Wels, 4 October 2018.
Kraftwerk Living Technologies is a world leader in professional audio-visual system integration based in Wels, Austria. Its solutions can be implemented in almost any situation where entertainment, innovative educational approaches or high-end visually-based research and development are required. Attractions for theme parks, systems for multifunctional theater stages, VR and LED display solutions for industry, audio-visual equipment for museums and exhibitions, and newly also the implementation of hybrid planetarium applications are just some of the solutions in its portfolio. Kraftwerk LT has been successfully developing high-quality technical solutions for 25 years. Today the company can boast of projects all over the world.
Kraftwerk Living Technologies was founded in December 1992. It quickly made a name for itself locally by providing light and sound systems for discos, bars and restaurants. Just a few years later, it expanded into technical design and equipment for stages and multifunction spaces, followed by early projects with museums, exhibitions and theme parks. The latter two activities have today become the main business areas of the AV system integrator, together with projects in industry and science.
The company currently employs some 100 qualified staff from 11 countries at its headquarters in Wels, Austria, and also operates branches in Moscow, Shanghai and Johannesburg. With a total of 135 employees globally and an export share of 80 per cent, in 2017 Kraftwerk LT achieved a turnover of 38.4 million euros. Manfred Meier is the founder, CEO and Managing Partner of Kraftwerk LT. Together with his business partner and co-manager Christian Hofer and his investors, Christian Langhammer and Mag. Christof Papousek, respectively CEO and main partner and CFO and minority partner in Constantin Film-Holding GmbH, he has been running the company for many years and setting out its strategy and vision.
Award-winning projects – worldwide
The project highlights of the past months have aroused international interest. There is the Voletarium in the Europa-Park in Rust, Germany, the largest Flying Theater in Europe, in which visitors glide up to 12 meters high through the air and so are given the feeling of flying through an unforgettable cinematic experience. And recently the experts from Wels helped to realize a large project in New York. The National Geographic Encounter: Ocean Odyssey, in New York City’s Times Square, is a multimedia underwater experience in which visitors can dive into the wonderful underwater world of our seas since October 2017. Most recently, Kraftwerk LT inaugurated 007 Elements, the just opened first and only James Bond museum worldwide, at the Gaislachkogl in Sölden. Kraftwerk LT was responsible for the planning and installation of the complex technical solutions for the cinematic 007 exhibition.
In the words of Jennifer Zika, Head of Corporate Communication at Kraftwerk LT: “The whole world is our market. We spare no effort to ensure the success of our clients. We love what we do and are proud of the projects we have realized worldwide. This passion pays off: our work – driven by innovative thinking and the striving to always improve – has already been distinguished with several awards”. In 2016, Kraftwerk LT received an InAVation Award for “Most InAVative International Project”, an InstallAward for “Best Vistor Attraction Project” and an AV Award in the “Entertainment Venue of the Year” category for the 5D Castle Theater at the Chimelong Ocean Kingdom in Zhuhai, China, currently the largest 4D theater in the world. In November 2016, the project was also awarded the “Oscar” of the industry, the renowned THEA Award, at the IAAPA Attractions Expo in Orlando. Further awards and nominations followed in 2017 for the new audio-visual design of BMW Welt in Munich as well as for the National Geographic Encounter: Ocean Odyssey and the Voletarium.
Innovation, Quality, Passion
Kraftwerk LT evolves in a very dynamic market characterized by rapid technological progress. The desire to integrate advanced technologies and to always be one step ahead is reflected in the company culture: innovation, quality and passion are the company values, and at Kraftwerk LT they are truly lived. Trust in its own know-how, its many years of experience, its demand for the highest quality and its passion for AV technology enable it to develop visionary approaches that are internationally recognized. This attitude is also what distinguishes Kraftwerk LT from its competitors and makes the specialists from Wels technology leaders in many areas. The company believes in healthy growth and is constantly building up its team, both at the head office and at its international branches. So Kraftwerk LT is the right place for those who like exciting and demanding tasks and want to work on unique projects in an international environment.
