Linz — May 28, 2026 — Officials from the European Investment Bank (EIB) Group and UniCredit Bank Austria visited Austrian pipe and climate‑control systems manufacturer KE KELIT to showcase how European financing is driving technological innovation, sustainability, and digital transformation among small and medium‑sized enterprises (SMEs).
KE KELIT, a family‑owned company employing around 500 people, has benefited from loans under successive European Investment Fund (EIF) guarantee agreements with UniCredit Bank Austria totaling €880 million since 2012. These agreements have helped hundreds of Austrian businesses modernize operations, expand production, and strengthen competitiveness.
During the visit to KE KELIT’s Linz production site, EIB and UniCredit representatives reviewed progress in an investment program focused on innovation, digitalization, and sustainable manufacturing. The company has increased production capacity, implemented energy‑efficient infrastructure, and introduced paperless workflows and barcode‑based logistics systems to achieve fully digital operations.
EIB Vice‑President Karl Nehammer emphasized that Austria’s competitiveness depends on innovation and sustainability, while EIF Senior Regional Representative Marcel Müller‑Marbach noted that the partnership enables SMEs to modernize and grow responsibly. KE KELIT CFO Kristine Egger expressed gratitude for the collaboration, highlighting the company’s commitment to sustainable development and its role in strengthening Austria’s industrial base.
The cooperation between the EIF and UniCredit Bank Austria supports Austria’s broader green and digital transition, providing SMEs with EU‑backed risk‑sharing and improved lending terms. It exemplifies how European financial partnerships can empower local businesses to innovate, create jobs, and contribute to long‑term regional value creation.
