The internationally operating Linz software company MIC (Managing International Customs and Trade Compliance), with seven locations outside Austria, employs around 550 people from 45 different nations and has now completed its new company headquarters on Lederergasse in Linz after a construction period of 20 months. The construction of the new MIC headquarters further enhances the state capital as an IT stronghold and at the same time provides a strong impetus for the domestic business location. ‘As an owner-managed company, we are clearly committed to Linz as our company headquarters with the construction of our new company headquarters and are ensuring that jobs and added value are maintained at the domestic business location’, says MIC CEO Alfred Hiebl.
Particular attention paid to sustainability, ecology and high quality of stay
The new MIC headquarters, with around 10,000 square metres on a total of five floors, is a prime example of an innovative and modern office building, with particular attention paid to the aspects of sustainability and ecology. The building was constructed using a timber hybrid construction method with appropriately sustainable building materials. Another important key point is the topic of energy efficiency, which is taken into account with, among other things, a large-scale photovoltaic system, and a well thought-out green roof solution. One part of the new headquarters also comprises a two-storey underground car park equipped with e-charging stations, which provides space for around 190 cars and 50 bicycles. Due to this construction method and a number of other aspects, such as economic quality and optimised life cycle costs, the new MIC headquarters will be certified according to the criteria of the German Sustainable Building Council (DGNB), with the aim of achieving a gold DGNB certificate.
Modern office building with a future-centric concept of flexible working environments: hybrid working and creative spaces with an atmosphere characterised by comfort and productivity
The office infrastructure design includes dissolving rigid spatial concepts with fixed assigned workplaces and replacing them with more adaptable concepts. The concept focuses on creating flexible and modern room variants that can be easily adapted to different work situations (keyword: hybrid working) with the appropriate technical equipment. For example, there are focus rooms for shorter periods of use, for concentrated work alone or for short meetings in small groups. The so-called creative rooms are meeting rooms that resemble a living room due to their furnishings. They are designed to foster a creative environment and promote agile working methods. A digital booking system can be used to reserve the various rooms. A total of around 400 workstations are available. Each employee has their own laptop, mouse and keyboard, which they can store in their lockers, along with their personal belongings. There are also rooms for the MIC Academy, which provides intensive training for new colleagues in their first few months and further training.
Conference rooms are located on the top floor
The top floor is intended as a meeting area for larger meetings and events. Three special creative rooms are designed to support collaboration over prolonged periods of time (e.g. a week) and to foster an innovative environment through their versatility and adaptability. In addition, there is a roof terrace on the top floor that is designed to be usable throughout the year; not just during summertime.
A modern company restaurant with a wide range of freshly cooked dishes every day
The staff restaurant is intended to provide a strong impetus for the revitalisation of the district. It will not only be available to MIC staff, but will also be open to employees of neighbouring companies. ‘We have already received a lot of positive feedback for this idea, because there are hardly any restaurants around Lederergasse that offer lunch menus or anything similar’, says MIC boss Alfred Hiebl. The ultra-modern company restaurant with a total of 170 seats is located on the ground floor of the new MIC headquarters and is run by catering specialist Eurest. Guests are provided with a varied selection of freshly cooked meals here throughout the day. ‘We want to contribute to the health of our employees. That's why we place particular emphasis on a health-conscious menu in the MIC company restaurant’, emphasises Alfred Hiebl. The focus of the daily-changing fresh cuisine is, of course, on quality and variety. In addition to classic home cooking, vegetarian and vegan dishes are also offered. There is also a large salad buffet, classic bowls and a selection of desserts.
Modern fitness area with professional fitness advice and mental health services in 13 different languages
A quiet zone is also located on the ground floor, which is intended to offer peace and quiet and resemble a library setting, as well as a fitness area with modern equipment. In addition, there will be special sports offers in the evening, such as yoga with external trainers. The showers located here can be used not only after training, but are of course also available to employees who cycle to work. In addition to the fitness area, there is a separate, locked room on the ground floor for professional fitness advice and occupational health care. Massages are also offered in this room. ‘Sustainability was very important to us, and not only in terms of construction. We also want to offer our employees a sustainable working environment in our new company headquarters, where health and well-being are given high priority’, says Alfred Hiebl. A mental health programme with online psychological counselling in 13 different languages has also been established.
Facts about MIC
MIC is the world's leading provider of global customs and export control software solutions with more than 800 customers in 55 countries on six continents. The most important customer groups are the automotive industry, mechanical engineering, the electronics, textiles, tobacco, consumer goods, chemical and pharmaceutical industries, as well as e-commerce. The family-owned company, headquartered in Linz, was founded in 1988. Around 550 employees from 45 different nations, the majority of whom work in Linz, generated a turnover of around 70 million euros in 2023 and have been achieving continuous organic growth of around 15 percent annually for many years. In addition to Linz, Vienna, Salzburg and Hagenberg, MIC also has locations in Belgium, Germany, Switzerland, the USA, Mexico, Thailand and, most recently, India.
