Beyond the Surface: Walking the Fine Line Between High-End Production and Sustainability

Norbert Bucher

December 15, 2023

4 Min Read

Michael Groiss, CFO at F/LIST, talked with Norbert Bucher, Account Manager of F/LIST at GrECo Austria, about how they balance their vision of handcrafting the future of interiors with the growing demand for sustainable production.

F/LIST is renowned for producing luxury interiors for private and business jets as well as living spaces. As a third-generation family business, they are leading the way in walking the fine line between producing high-end luxury interiors in a sustainable way. Their F/LAB (future lab) focuses on innovation using the latest sustainable technologies for all their products and services. Michael Groiss, CFO at F/LIST, talked with Norbert Bucher, Account Manager of F/LIST at GrECo Austria, about how they balance their vision of handcrafting the future of interiors with the growing demand for sustainable production.

Bucher: To what extent are you seeing an increased demand from your customers for sustainable raw materials, and are they using more recycled materials?

Groiss: For F/LIST, sustainability is at the center of everything we do, whether it be our processes, our employees, or our products themselves. It is almost impossible to think about a new product or service without taking sustainability into account. However, while sustainable materials are attracting a lot of interest, they largely remain in the shadow of other initiatives such as SAF (Sustainable Aviation Fuel). While the issue of fuel sustainability is an important one, other actions related to our supply chain, such as regional wood sourcing, certification, energy management, and costumer education about resources, are gaining great momentum. Our products, especially our novel materials, act as effective ambassadors to raise awareness of sustainability with our customers, which may in turn influence their future interiors design decisions.

Bucher: F/LIST is a beacon company in your region and is known far beyond the country’s borders. What energy transition measures have already been implemented within the Group and which ones are planned for the future?

Groiss: As previously mentioned, we take our responsibility towards the environment very seriously and are therefore constantly striving to reduce our energy requirements while at the same time increasing energy efficiency. As a company, we operate one of the largest photovoltaic power plants in Austria. It has a total gross area of around 8,000m² and 4,400 installed modules. The system produces 1,100,000 kilowatt hours of electricity per year, which corresponds to approximately 18% of F/LIST’s annual electricity consumption.

We are currently expanding the plant to include a third factory, and as part of this, the photovoltaic system will be expanded to significantly increase the amount of electricity produced when completed in 2024. In addition, we have already implemented many other measures, such as heating the entire plant with district heating from renewable energy sources; cooling with river water; converting 90% of our lighting to LED lights; and ensuring that our electricity is distributed according to availability and demand: for example, our electric forklifts trucks are charged at weekends when the production machines are idle. In addition, we have a comprehensive waste management system which recycles materials to supply local heating. We use nitrogen for low-pressure painting and have compressed air guns which are also low pressure. But it’s not just about what goes on inside, we also care about the outside and continue to plant trees on our site.

Bucher: According to ZAMG, the intensity of thunderstorms in your area is increasing every year. In general, heavy rainfall is more frequent and there are more extreme weather events such as hail. To what extent does this pose an increased risk for the site?

Groiss: We have been fortunate to be spared extreme weather events in the district of Neunkirchen, especially at our site in Thomasberg. However, the municipality has taken precautionary measures for our region, including flood protection dams and terrain elevations along the Pitten River, as well as retention basins with various widenings, which provide the best possible protection for the entire F/LIST site against heavy rainfall and flooding. These measures enable the river to flow continuously and the water level to be regulated.

About F/LIST
F/LIST is a family-run business, driven by the vision to handcraft the future of interiors. F/LIST evolved from a traditional small carpentry shop to become a global player in custom-made high-end furnishings in luxury residences and is recognized as a high-profile brand in the international aerospace sector. Since inception 70 years ago, F/LIST has grown to a family of more than 1,000 employees located at the company headquarters in Thomasberg, and branch offices in Germany, Canada, Brazil, Great Britain, the U.S., and the UAE. F/LIST walks the fine line between creating authentic products using natural materials and optimizing high-end technology, making it a global trendsetter in interior innovation.

About Michael Groiss
Michael Groiss became CFO of F/LIST in 2006. In addition to this role, he is also responsible for the business unit Air Aftermarket which has 100+ employees and locations in Austria, Germany, Dubai, UK, USA, Canada, and Brazil.