Digital 52 4️⃣9️⃣ - On growing as a company, transitioning towards a lean organization and including coworking as a way to keep on learning and innovating: the story of Factory Hub Vienna.
Today’s story will take you to Austria’s capital city: Vienna. What’s there, you wonder? A fascinating company called Tele Haase, which has been using coworking as a way to support their industry and keep on innovating.
Beyond Coworking - Niche Communities - Started by larger companies
You can read the story of Factory Hub Vienna on page 308 of “Around The World in 250 Coworking Spaces”.
While we are getting closer and closer to the end of Digital 52 (only 3 editions left to go), there is still a wealth of coworking goodness waiting to be unveiled! Today’s story offers a taste of innovation on multiple levels. We don't want to give away too much, but let’s just say that in this particular narrative, coworking serves as a means to foster innovation, bring like-minded professionals together, and support young businesses in gaining access to the tools and expertise they need to reach their full potential. What we truly admire about Factory Hub Vienna is their unwavering commitment to reinventing themselves alongside the individuals who shape their space. Are you ready for a hefty dose of innovation?
➡️ A little refresher
Who’s behind the featured space?
While you usually encounter people, this time things are slightly different. Factory Hub was initiated by Tele Haase, an Austrian company that develops and produces timer relays, monitoring relays, load monitors, grid and system protection, among other things, for renewable energy applications.
If you're wondering why they started such a space, the answer lies in the follow-up interview below.
➡️ Key Figures
- Opening year: 2017
- Size when they started: 400 sqm
- Size today: Same size today
➡️ A little tour around Factory Hub
➡️ Behind-the-scenes
Things you didn't read in aw250cs.
“We're literally a factory hub. we're sharing our production facilities with our coworkers and connecting to other production partners all over Europe.”
While the space is heaven for hardware enthusiasts, Factory Hub welcomes everyone. “We believe that a place where people come together with all their ideas and passion will lead to exceptional output which needs no restrictions!”
"We aim to compile topics that are interesting and beneficial, but we also understand that each event and each member brings new insights and needs. "
Gabrijela Ponier, Marketing Lead at Factory Hub Vienna
➡️ Factory Hub Today
What's new at Factory Hub? That's the question we posed to Gabrijela Ponier, Marketing Head for Factory Hub. As you're about to discover, Factory Hub is embarking on a new phase of its journey, one that aligns with its unwavering commitment to helping its community achieve its business goals. We've delved into the concept of growth many times before, but once again, the way Factory Hub approaches it feels distinct. Is it because it's driven by an entire organization? Perhaps! Continue reading to find out what we mean.
💫 Growing with their community
As Factory Hub expands its reach and deepens its understanding of its role within the community, it became apparent that the website needed a refresh. Alongside the launch of the new website, the team will introduce new memberships, as detailed by Gabi in our conversation below.
In addition to launching a new website, Factory Hub has been adapting its space and expanding its network of partnerships to remain relevant to its members and to continue innovating alongside them. What does all of this mean in concrete terms? You're about to find out.
💬 I’d like to start by asking you: what’s new at Factory Hub since September 2021?
Quite a lot has happened. Factory Hub has undergone significant changes, not only in terms of the personnel but also the overall concept, which we've been working on since September. When you visited us and walked around, you mainly saw the coworking space where we hosted startups and provided production facilities for their prototyping needs. At that time, we noticed a strong emphasis on office space.
We had some tech startups that fortunately grew their businesses from startups into scale-ups. Their evolving needs required more space and storage. We realized that our initial concept wouldn't suffice for the future. While it worked well for three or four startups, it couldn't add value beyond them. So, we tweaked our concept and transitioned. We recognized that space alone isn't unique; you can rent space almost anywhere.
What we can offer is the value of collaboration.
Our focus shifted towards collaborating with startups, scale-ups, and other corporates. We wanted to share our experience, production facilities, and development knowledge with startups while also collaborating with other corporates interested in redefining the future of work. The main change was our increased emphasis on fostering a community rather than just providing workspace.
The shift was influenced by the changing landscape due to Covid-19. We all learned that remote work is feasible, and location isn't the primary asset. The real value lies in having a spot with production capabilities where you can come for inspiration, questions, or testing needs. It's not about assigning specific desks; it's about accessibility whenever you need it.
Previously, our memberships were desk-based. Now, our memberships include community access to future events and the flexibility to use any available desk within the tailored office space. You become part of our entire team, part of our Cosmos.
💬 Factory Hub is more than just a coworking space, can you explain to me the range of services you offer to your community?
We’ll soon be releasing our new website, which will reflect better what we do and offer. We're introducing two main types of memberships. The first one is for startups and scale-ups, especially for those just starting out. We noticed they often need guidance, idea sharing, and support, even in what might seem like basic things that established companies take for granted. So, in this membership, we offer a business address here in Vienna, and we'll take care of handling your mail. We also have meeting rooms available, and you can choose where you want to work each day, depending on your needs. You might want a quiet spot or to sit with different colleagues.
Additionally, we offer support with various things like purchasing, getting the right parts, and helping with certifications. We also assist with transitioning from prototype to full production. The unique part is that we do all of this right here in Vienna, with experts ready to help you.
We also noticed that some established companies are interested in working with startups and embracing new ways of working and collaborating. So, that's our second type of membership. We invite these companies to join us, share their knowledge, and connect with startups seeking advice and support.
For both types of memberships, we're launching a program this autumn. It includes a series of events that focus on different topics, such as funding, product certification, industrialization, and integrating innovation into your existing company. These events are open to all members, no matter your focus. If you're a corporate member but want to learn about startups, you can join the startup-focused events, and the same goes for startups. We also offer additional support packages if you need more help with things like industrialization.
Our goal is to create a strong support network for both startups and established companies, bridging the gap between experience and innovation.
To reach that goal, there's something important to consider. We're all here to learn together, so what topics are truly relevant? What can engage everyone? Perhaps general innovation could become a part of this in the future.
We realized this during our last teleconference with our global sales team. They all showed interest in future-oriented subjects. For instance, we discussed virtual rooms, which intrigued them. So, topics like these, or maybe even AI, could be relevant to everyone.
We aim to compile topics that are interesting and beneficial, but we also understand that each event and each member brings new insights and needs.
Therefore, we remain adaptable. Our community will evolve accordingly in the future.
💬 Factory Hub was started by Tele Haase. Why did they decide to start such a project?
This year marked our 60th anniversary. We were founded back in 1963 and have been producing automation components ever since. About 12 years ago, we initiated some changes in our organization. We transitioned from a traditional hierarchical structure, which was considered state-of-the-art at the time, to a democratic organization. This meant that hierarchy vanished, and everyone held an equal position. There was no single head making decisions; instead, employees made decisions based on their knowledge, experience, and qualifications.
This shift prompted us to open up the company internally. To participate in decision-making, everyone needed a comprehensive understanding of the company. We eliminated the practice of centralizing information with the leadership, ensuring that all information was accessible to everyone within the company. This transparency ultimately led us to the next step: opening our company to the outside world and allowing others to witness our transformation process.
Then we thought, “Why not go even further and invite others to share their experiences with us?” So, we decided to reach out to young companies and offer opportunities for cooperation and collaboration. The idea was to combine our experience with the energy and innovation of these young companies to create something great.
So, our goal was twofold. We wanted to not only share our transformation journey but also invite others to inspire and provide new perspectives to our Tele team and developers.
💬 How do you raise awareness about Factory Hub outside of your own walls?
We had a team from the Factory Hub, a group of managers who attended various events to connect with startups and understand their needs better. Another aspect is our telecom company, Playground Academy, which focuses on working with forward-thinking open companies that embrace innovation and new work approaches.
With our Cosmos members, Playground Academy, and Factory Hub, we aim to participate in various events to spread the word about our activities.
Towards the end of September, we're working on finding effective ways to communicate the values of the Factory Hub community. We're collaborating with a design studio, and this will be part of the Vienna Design Week. Our goal is to visually represent our values, making it clear what we stand for and what drives our interactions.
Our primary approach involves personal contact, partnering with manufacturing companies, and participating in their events to connect with like-minded individuals and share our experiences. As we launch the new Factory Hub website, we'll intensify our efforts to raise awareness across all available channels.
We want everyone to be aware of the changes and opportunities we offer, and to understand the core values that guide our collaborations. This way, individuals who resonate with these values can find like-minded partners and explore opportunities for collaboration.
💬 How do you bring your community together at Factory Hub?
This is primarily happening during our events, where we all come together to share knowledge and experiences. We believe that everyone possesses valuable knowledge and experience, so the idea is to foster connections whenever you need someone; you can simply reach out. Our goal is to make this process as straightforward as possible, ensuring that everyone is easily accessible.
In the future, we may also consider an online platform where we can continue exchanging ideas no matter where we are. However, we still place great importance on in-person meetings and events at our physical location. These gatherings allow us to discuss various topics, identify specialists in specific areas, and facilitate easy communication and collaboration
💬 You guys work with a vast network of partners, what do they bring to your community exactly?
These partnerships have developed over the years, and we've had connections in various places. For instance, we're still actively engaged with ET Manufacturing, participating in each other's events and sharing experiences. We have a strong commitment to mutual learning. We freely exchange information, and extend invitations to each other, all in the pursuit of finding valuable connections. Sometimes, these connections are more substantial, while other times, they are less pronounced. It really depends on the stage of development within the Factory Hub.
In the future, this is likely to become even more defined. We anticipate the addition of new partners who could offer additional support and information, particularly in areas we may not currently cover, such as legal matters crucial for startups in their early stages or securing funding. Our Factory Hub will continue evolving, and the contributions from our partners will vary depending on the stage and needs at the time.
➡️ Reflections on building Factory Hub
💬 If you could do one thing differently in the journey of Factory Hub what would it be?
It's a bit challenging because I believe our journey has been quite clear and rewarding so far. I wouldn't necessarily change anything because every experience we've had has contributed to the growth of Factory Hub and brought us to where we are today. I'm excited about what lies ahead, so I believe all our experiences have been worthwhile.
💬 What has been your biggest learning so far growing Factory Hub?
My learning experience at the Factory Hub revolves around the importance of personal connections. Everything here is built on these connections.
You need to engage with startups to truly understand their needs and discover new ways of approaching things. It's vital to remain open to the unexpected.
For instance, we created a new business unit within the Factory Hub, which wasn't initially part of the plan. It evolved because we realized that some startups encountered difficulties when seeking a manufacturer for small batches of 100 pieces. We recognized our capability to fulfill this need, not just for startups but also for other companies. This led to the formation of an entirely new business unit. We let it happen and seized the opportunity without overthinking the potential outcomes. This approach has proven beneficial for startups and is something we can offer. So, we decided to give it a try, and it turned out to be a success. It demonstrates the importance of remaining open to unexpected opportunities while pursuing other plans.
💬 What would be your best advice to someone thinking about opening a coworking space?
I believe the most crucial aspect is having a genuine passion for what you do. This passion is what sets your workspace apart because there are many working spaces available. You should have a clear vision of what makes your workspace special and what you truly love about what you do. Trying to create a workspace solely for financial gain may not work as well, as I believe this endeavor requires a deep passion and commitment.
💬 If you could chat with coworking operators now, what would you like to ask them?
💬 And if you could chat with members of coworking spaces?
What is the most interesting aspect that truly attracts them to a coworking space?
💬 Last but not least, where would you want to bring Factory Hub next?
Focusing on community. We all have a shared goal of contributing to a better world. We strive to discover innovative solutions and new approaches to collaboration, hoping to derive something fresh for the future. This could potentially alter the way we work.
Member discussion