Economy Of Bruck a der Mur
Among the oldest cities in Austria, Bruck a der Mur has Roman roots. First noted in an 860 document as the property of the Salzburg archbishops, it was granted a town charter by King Rudolf I of Habsburg in 1277. Built at a key crossing location of the Mur and Mürz rivers, Bruck gets its name from the German word for bridge.
Bruck a der Mur was positioned to benefit naturally from trade and commerce, particularly in iron and steel. Rich in iron ore reserves, Bruck has been a hub of iron processing and manufacturing since the Middle Ages. Built in 1495, Bruck’s first blast furnace was renowned for producing superior iron goods like nails, tools, and weaponry. Bruck also established a thriving salt business, shipping salt from the neighboring Salzkammergut region down the Mur river.
Bruck a der Mur began a new stage of industrialization in the 19th century when the metal sector underwent a revolution thanks to new inventions. The city drew a lot of workers and businesses and became a leader in the manufacture of steel, wire and cable. Among the most well-known characters in Bruck’s industrial past was Johann Puch, who in 1899 established the Puch-Werke, a manufacturer of automobiles, trucks, motorcycles, and bicycles. Among the biggest and most prosperous companies in Austria, Puch-Werke sold its goods all over the world. Along with supporting the social welfare of both the city and its workers, the corporation sponsored several athletic and cultural activities.
Paper was another significant 19th-century industry to develop in Bruck a der Mur. Papermaking has long been a part of the city; Bruck’s first paper mill was founded in 1579. The 19th and 20th centuries saw a fast expansion of the paper industry as printing, education, and communication all raised the need for paper. The Bruck paper mills produced newspaper, writing paper, packing paper, and specialty paper among other kinds of paper. Additionally providing numerous jobs and funding the city’s cultural and educational activities was the paper business.
The 20th and 21st century brought Bruck a der Mur a lot of difficulties and changes as its industries were impacted by national and international political and economic situations. Bruck’s economy suffered from the two world wars, the Great Depression, the oil crisis, the integration of Europe, and the competition from rising economies. While some of the conventional sectors diversified and adjusted, others faltered or closed. The city made investments in services, tourism, and infrastructure as well as urban regeneration and modernization.
Bruck a der Mur is a lively, dynamic city with a strong and varied economy even now. Both big and small businesses call it home, including the top manufacturer of high-performance steel in the world, Böhler Uddeholm; the top provider of power cables in the world, Sappi. Several research and innovation centres are also housed in the city, including the Wood K plus Competence Center for Wood Composites and Wood Chemistry, the Polymer Competence Center Leoben, and the Materials Center Leoben. Being on the primary train route between Vienna and Graz and having access to many roads and airports, Bruck a der Mur is also a regional transportation center. Rich cultural and natural legacy, a range of recreational and sports facilities, and a warm and inviting attitude all contribute to the city’s excellent quality of life for both its citizens and tourists.
