Liebherr-Werk Bischofshofen GmbH is a member of the Liebherr Group, the global leader offering pioneering machine solutions across 13 product segments, employs over 50,000 employees in more than 150 companies on every continent. Managed by the Liebherr family to this day, the Group continues to thrive on this family spirit that has always determined its corporate culture, and which continues to provide a firm foundation for global success.
In 2024, Liebherr has reached a significant milestone, as it celebrates its 75th anniversary – a journey of steady growth and expansion. Founded in 1960 as the first Austrian plant in the Liebherr Group, Liebherr-Werk Bischofshofen GmbH is a specialist in the development, production and sales of the Group’s wheel loaders, which are offered in four size classes: compact loaders, stereo loaders, medium-sized wheel loaders and the XPower wheel loader. The products reflect decades of experience and advanced know-how.
“Since its foundation, Liebherr-Werk Bischofshofen GmbH has grown steadily through high-quality standards, sustainable innovations and creative solutions. Today, we are the competence and development centre for wheel loaders of the Liebherr Group, employing around 1,100 people,” explains Herbert Pfab, Chief Technical Officer.
Liebherr-Werk Bischofshofen GmbH is well-known for its continuous innovation. For example, the company’s XPower wheel loaders have been designed to represent a holistic wheel loader concept, which sets new standards in terms of fuel efficiency, performance, robustness and comfort. The core feature of the XPower wheel loader is its innovative power-split travel drive, which allows operators to save up to 30% on fuel.
The Bischofshofen plant is closely integrated into the international group of companies and cooperates with other Liebherr plants. “We work particularly closely with the Liebherr production sites in Dalian (China) and Guaratinguetá (Brazil) where modified wheel loader models are produced for emerging markets outside Europe and North America. Liebherr-Werk Bischofshofen GmbH is responsible for the product lines at both manufacturing facilities. This expansion underlines the professional competence and international orientation of the Liebherr plant.”
Green drive
Liebherr’s innovation efforts are focused on future-facing technology solutions. “As part of our product responsibility, it is both our goal and our challenge to offer customers safe, efficient and high-performance products that are also environmentally friendly in the long term,” says Herbert Pfab. “The basis for this is, among other things, our technology-open research into alternative drive technologies in order to reduce wheel loader emissions and promote decarbonization.”
To this end, the company has developed its first battery-electric wheel loader, the L 507 E. Thanks to its alternative drive concept, it operates locally emission-free, is low-noise and just as powerful as conventionally powered wheel loaders. Depending on the operating conditions, the L 507 E offers a running time of up to eight hours. A modular battery concept makes it possible to install a second lithium-ion battery, which increases the running time. When driving downhill and braking, energy is fed back into the battery through recuperation. It has been available in several European countries since February 2024.
As large vehicles with an operating weight of up to 40 tonnes are more difficult to electrify due to their high energy requirements, the company has been looking at different solutions, says Pfab. “Extensive studies have shown that the hydrogen reciprocating piston engine is the optimal solution for many applications. Here, we have achieved a major milestone in June 2024, presenting our first prototype of a large loader with a hydrogen engine, the L 566 H.”
“The hydrogen engines enable almost zero greenhouse gas emissions, will emit almost no nitrogen oxides in the future and at the same time offer a high level of efficiency,” he continues, adding that in the course of developing the hydrogen wheel loader, Liebherr-Werk Bischofshofen GmbH has also commissioned the first hydrogen filling station on factory premises – the first of its kind in the state of Salzburg, and another milestone on the company’s path towards the decarbonization of construction machinery.
Pfab further explains that Liebherr-Werk Bischofshofen GmbH is also preparing mobile refuelling options so that construction machinery can also be refuelled directly on site. “This is particularly important for remote construction sites and less-mobile construction machinery.”
Driven by people, assisted by technology
Digitalisation is another priority topic for Liebherr-Werk Bischofshofen GmbH and the company is developing solutions to make wheel loaders and their operation more efficient and safer. These include a variety of assistance systems that support operators in their daily work, such as active person recognition, an integrated tyre pressure monitoring system or the ‘Truck Payload Assist’ weighing system.
“With these and other assistance systems, Liebherr-Werk Bischofshofen GmbH offers holistic solutions to optimize operator safety and comfort and increase performance. These assistance systems have been developed by Liebherr-Werk Bischofshofen GmbH and are fully integrated into the machine control system.”
However, even the best technology would be useless without the core ingredient – the people. Pfab affirms that Bischofshofen’s employees identify strongly with Liebherr and its products. “Many of our people remain loyal to the company for years. This is supported by our corporate culture based on mutual respect, fairness, trust and long-term relationships.
True to its motto ‘One Passion. Many Opportunities’, Liebherr-Werk Bischofshofen GmbH offers a diverse range of professional fields – from logistics and purchasing to human resources and marketing, through to quality management and production planning. Apprentices, trainees and students can choose from a wealth of different options for starting their careers. Every employee has a wide range of opportunities for career development and self-realization, regardless of their position – be it as an industrial designer or engineer.
Moving forward
Going forward, Liebherr-Werk Bischofshofen GmbH is pushing ahead with the phase-out of fossil fuels and is preparing solutions to decarbonize construction sites and gravel works. Following the first electrified Liebherr wheel loader, the company will be looking at expanding the electric drive to other small- and medium-sized devices. Series production of the large wheel loader with a hydrogen engine is planned for the second half of the decade, and focus on digitisation of mobile work machines will intensify.
Operator’s comfort also remain a priority. “While driver assistance systems have long been part of the programme, the company is particularly researching tele-operation – functions that can offer a high level of safety, especially in monotonous and dangerous operations,” acknowledges Pfab.
He affirms that overall, Liebherr-Werk Bischofshofen GmbH continues to strive to develop innovative, efficient and comfortable solutions for customers; solutions that at the same time meet the market’s environmental and sustainability requirements.
