Two traditional Austrian breweries, Zwettl and Hirt, have invested in new dry-end installations to modernise their final packaging processes. Both projects were carried out almost simultaneously with the support of the EOL Group, which acted as the central coordinator. The investment sum for each was between three and four million euros.
Project planning at Zwettl Brewery commenced in June 2023. Assembly began in May 2025, and just two months later, the plant, with a capacity of up to 36,000 bottles per hour, was operational. This represents a 20 percent increase in performance compared to the old plant. A special feature of this project was the integration of the existing visitor platform into the new plant layout. Operations Manager and Master Brewer Heinz Wasner on the collaboration: „The coordination of several companies involved in the project was managed centrally by the EOL Group and ran smoothly and professionally. The main delivery in the dry section was completed on schedule, and any minor outstanding points were reliably resolved. The plant was commissioned at the beginning of July as planned.“
Parallel to this, the Hirt private brewery began its project planning in November 2023. The assembly of the new system started in April 2025, with a successful production run on 1st June 2025. The new system achieves a capacity of up to 30,000 bottles per hour and includes a sorting uncaser and a specially developed packaging unit for 0.33-litre returnable bottles in 6-packs. The long-standing partnership with BMS Maschinenfabrik, a company within the EOL Group, played a crucial role in the decision for the new investment.
EOL Group as central coordinator
The EOL Group assumed full responsibility for interfaces in both projects. Assembly and commissioning each took around six weeks, operating under normal conditions. Even with unforeseen challenges such as limited ceiling heights, software interfaces between different suppliers, or structural obstacles, solutions could be quickly developed together. Raimund Linzer, Master Brewer and Managing Director of Privatbrauerei Hirt, stated: „The collaboration was very constructive and professional from the outset. The project management was characterised by transparent communication, high reliability, and a partnership-based working relationship through to successful completion.“
Source: EOL Group
