Well Pack – We love to work in Austria

Questions posed to Jaromír Opatrný, CEO Well Pack 

The success of your company in Austria is quite impressive. What is the importance of the Austrian market for your company?  

The Austrian market is particularly important for us. We would set up a branch office in Austria again at any time and are actually in the process of doing so at present. We love to work in Austria. In fact, work turns into a hobby if one likes the country and the people. That is how I perceive my activities in Austria and working together with Austrians. 

What conditions does Austria offer a growth-oriented company like Well Pack? 

On balance, the underlying framework conditions for business operations in Austria are very good. If I compare the country to Germany, then here things function more flexibly. Another key point is the unbureaucratic procedures in establishing companies and the disproportionately high purchasing power of domestic consumers. Moreover, let me mention the highly developed infrastructure and quality of life, which also counts for our employees. The digital administration also works very effectively, for example Finanzonline. A high level of political stability, low strike rates and the geographical location in the heart of Europe are also crucial locational advantages which Austria offers.  

Well Pack is known a hidden champion in the Czech Republic. What is your unique selling proposition here in Austria?  

In addition to warehouse services, we also offer customised logistics solutions to our customers. We offer a niche product i.e., washing technologies and services in the field of reusable plastic packaging such as fruit and vegetable crates used in supermarkets. Furthermore, we stand out due to our high flexibility and customer orientation as well as an experienced team of employees. In turn, this reduces processing times. Studies on logistics networks have concluded that Upper Austria is the perfect location. We are also happy to be here.  

Well Pack has generated astonishing growth in Austria since it first entered the market. How would you rate the quality and motivation of Austrian employees in an international comparison? What sets them apart and how important are these qualities for the success of your company? 

We rate the quality of Austrian employees very highly. We see a combination of commitment, intelligence, openness, common sense, a sense of responsibility and reliability. Austrian colleagues are playing a key role in our expansion drive. And it is nice to spend a weekend together skiing or sailing, rounded off by a good glass of Austrian wine. 

Were there any particularly formative or significant events, turning points or personal experiences in your corporate history in Austria which you vividly remember? 

The most memorable event for me was the launch of Well Pack in Austria accompanied by a far-reaching miscalculation. Although we were given legal advice, we were not aware about the 13th and 14th monthly salaries to be paid to employees. There was an enormous amount of stress after we found out about this. We were forced to find solutions under financial pressure. However, we succeeded in increasing productivity and reducing costs above and beyond our original calculations. Without this mistake we might have been too expensive and unable to attract customers quickly. Ultimately, this miscalculation served as the basis for us to operate effectively in Austria. 

What are the upcoming plans which Well Pack has for Austria? Can you already tell us anything about this today?  

We plan to expand. We would like to offer last mile parcel delivery services to Amazon and other customers and also get involved in the field of logistics, for example for furniture and washing of plastic pallets. 

How has ABA supported Well Pack in all these years, namely during the initial founding of a company here and up until now? 

The Austrian Business Agency supplied us with vital information, above all with respect to our expansion to Wels and also advised us in our search for commercial property in the Wels area. 

And finally, one last question: what do you personally value the most about Austria? 

I value the combination of a beautiful countryside, mountains, great skiing, a rich cultural heritage, wonderful architecture, good food, good wine alongside good, intelligent, open and hard-working people. Several of our top managers not only work for Well Pack but are also partners in newly established companies in Austria. This is a rather unconventional approach. But we consider these partnerships to be rewarding and advantageous for both sides.