Chilies, bees and entrepreneurial spirit: Growing together on the roof of Gebrüder Weiss

Wolfurt / Lauterach, 17.8.2026. Where the focus is normally on logistics and digital processes, chilies, pumpkins, watermelons and herbs are growing today: On the roof terrace of Gebrüder Weiss' new Vorarlberg logistics and IT center in Wolfurt, students from the HTL Dornbirn have realized an extraordinary project - the "Chili Chain". Together with the international logistics company and the organic farm Vetterhof from Lustenau, a practical place of learning was created that combines sustainability, product development and entrepreneurial thinking.

57 pupils who are doing the "Futuretec Management" training at the HTL Dornbirn are currently participating in the multi-year project, as well as four teachers. The young people have been involved in the planning and implementation of the project since the last school year. In spring, around 50 raised beds were built and planted on the roof terrace. The students also installed an automatic irrigation system and take responsibility for the ongoing care of the plants.

The idea for the collaboration arose from the long-standing relationship between Gebrüder Weiss and HTL Dornbirn. The new Vorarlberg Logistics and IT Center offered the opportunity for the first time to implement such a project directly on the company premises. The Vetterhof also contributed its know-how in the field of sustainable agriculture and prepared the young people for their tasks with workshops.

For Gebrüder Weiss, the focus is on much more than just gardening. The project enables young people to experience economic interrelationships and value-added processes directly – from the initial idea to the subsequent processing of the harvest. At the same time, the young people gain practical experience in project management, teamwork and sustainable action.

"With this project, we are creating a space in which young people can take responsibility, develop their own ideas and put them into practice. At the same time, they learn how sustainability, economic thinking and teamwork interact successfully. It is precisely these experiences that are particularly valuable for personal and professional development," says Sonja Thaler, Human Resources Development Land & Logistics Vorarlberg at Gebrüder Weiss.

In addition to the raised beds, the roof terrace has recently received further growth: three bee colonies moved in there at the end of July. They are looked after by HTL teacher and beekeeper Jeanette Vögel. The bee-friendly planting on the roof terrace creates ideal conditions for this and at the same time contributes to the promotion of biodiversity.

"The cooperation with Gebrüder Weiss makes learning practical: Our students apply their knowledge directly, take on responsibility and experience how a real business project is created," says Jeanette Vogel, teacher at HTL Dornbirn. The project is scheduled to run for several years and is intended to enable the young people to actively participate in the entire development process from planning and maintenance to harvesting and further processing.

About Gebrüder Weiss

Gebrüder Weiss Holding AG, headquartered in Lauterach (Austria), is a globally active full-service logistics company with around 8,600 employees and 180 company-owned locations. Most recently, the company generated annual sales of 2.72 billion euros (2025). The portfolio includes transport and logistics solutions, digital services and supply chain management. The combination of digital and physical expertise enables the Group to respond quickly and flexibly to customer needs. With a variety of ecological, economic and social measures, the family-owned company, whose history in the transport sector goes back more than 500 years, is now also considered a pioneer in terms of sustainable business. www.gw-world.com

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