A year marked by technological innovation and expansion
Heavydrive develops new, innovative complete solutions and expands its capacities
The year 2025 brought significant challenges to the construction industry once again. High material costs and global supply bottlenecks reduced productivity and impacted schedules and processes. This was further compounded by the ongoing severe shortage of skilled workers and personnel. Heavydrive addressed these challenges through strategic initiatives aimed at improving efficiency in glass installation.
Saving time and money with flexible complete rental packages
Coordinating appropriate facilities across multiple service providers is time-consuming, costly, and demands significant personnel involvement. In addition, the purchase of installation tools involves storage and maintenance costs as well as complex logistics. As a result, Heavydrive developed new comprehensive rental packages that can be customized to the customer’s requirements and combined as needed. "With a flexible installation solution from a single source, the project can be implemented more quickly and with less organisational and personnel effort", explains Günter Übelacker, Managing Director of Heavydrive.
To this end, Heavydrive has expanded its rental fleet in 2025 with numerous installation and lifting equipment, including a mini crane with a lifting height of 23 m (75.4 ft), a glass installation robot with a load capacity of 600 kg (1322.8 lbs) and a counterweight vacuum suction system with a load capacity of 2000 kg (4409.2 lbs), all of which, like all the systems, operate on a modular basis. For example, the suction cups are easily interchangeable, allowing the transport of stone slabs or wooden elements. The installation aids, cranes, and transport trolleys are also suitable for handling various types of goods. The systems can be combined, easily adjusted in a few steps, and are also suitable for window modules. This shortens on-site setup times and reduces the need for machinery and personnel.
Image rights: Heavydrive.com
In 2025, Heavydrive further invested in robotics and process automation, enabling assembly with fewer personnel. The rental fleet of glass installation robots, which are particularly popular for long-term hire, has been expanded. Further investment was also made in Heavydrive 7-axis manipulators, which enable a single operator to move glass panes weighing up to 2000 kg (4409.2 lbs) in seven axes using a remote control.
Successful projects at home and abroad
The productivity of individual Heavydrive complete solutions has been demonstrated in many projects over the past year, for example in the creative quarter in the north of Munich – an area designed to combine living and working with art, culture and knowledge. Special Heavydrive systems were used to assemble the prefabricated balcony elements, including the glazed door leaves.
The 1,300 kg (2,866 lb) façade elements, including the frame, were safely lifted using the Heavydrive VSG 500 counterweight beam and installed under an overhang of 1.85 m (6.1 ft). The beam, which can be attached to any construction or mobile crane, was connected to a specially manufactured angle bracket. This meant that the modular components could be weaved in and placed beneath the balconies without getting damages.
At Annabel’s, an exclusive private members’ club in London’s trendy Mayfair district, founded in 1963, Heavydrive installed specially curved glass elements with a radius of up to 13,681 millimetres (44.9 ft). The conservatory there was glazed by the Bavarian company Heavydrive back in 2017.
As before, the VSG 750 KRQ vacuum suction system was used for this project. Developed specifically to handle curved glass panes, the suction system securely suctioned and replaced the 585-kilogram (1289,7 lbs) conservatory glass panels, measuring 4 by 1.4 metres and featuring a curved design. Thanks to Heavydrive's professional logistics system, the customs and entry regulations made more difficult by Brexit were no problem either.
Heavydrive was deployed once again at the St. Jakobshalle in Basel (Switzerland). In winter 2019, the Tapfheim-based company replaced a 6.5 x 2.8 m (21.3 x 9.2 ft) pane weighing 1.5 t (3306.9 lbs) under a three-metre (9.8 ft) deep projection. This was achieved in just half a day using two special suction systems and the Heavydrive manipulator.
In autumn 2025, the Tapfheim-based company installed another spherically curved glass dome on the roof of the event hall. The VSG 600 KR SP vacuum suction system was specially adapted for this purpose. Despite the twilight, time pressure and strong winds, the 600 kg (1222.8 lb) curved glass element was safely suctioned on, lifted and placed on the roof of the building.
Image rights: Heavydrive.com
New Heavydrive subsidiary in Norway and increase in employee numbers
To more efficiently meet the rising demand from Scandinavia, Heavydrive established a subsidiary in Oslo, Norway, in March 2025. The installation systems can be shipped directly from the local warehouse, with on-site expert guidance provided by Heavydrive specialists. "The tense geopolitical situation and more difficult customs conditions are causing problems in logistics. We want to offer customers a fast and reliable installation solution in this difficult situation, which is why a branch at our main international locations is essential.", explains Günter Übelacker. In addition to Norway, Heavydrive has subsidiaries in the United States, Canada, Switzerland and Dubai (United Arab Emirates).
The company has also expanded internally, welcoming new employees to the team in the workshop and sales departments at its headquarters in Tapfheim. Heavydrive also focused more on training new employees. As a registered training company, it hired a trainee marketing specialist in 2025. In cooperation with the University of Augsburg and the Donauwörth Technical College, student employees and interns support the team in various areas. The Bavarian headquarters currently employs a total of 23 staff members.
Participation in international trade fairs and conferences
"In order to stay up to date with the challenges facing the construction industry and the latest trends, it is very important to engage in dialogue with glass manufacturers, architects and scientists.", says Günter Übelacker. The company showcased its installation solutions and systems at international trade fairs and conferences, including BAU 2025 in Munich and Glass Performance Days (GPD) in Finland.
Heavydrive also participated in numerous events hosted by industry associations and educational institutions, including the Chair of Vacuum and Façade Technology in Magdeburg and the Institute for Window Technology in Rosenheim.
"Despite the major challenges, we are delighted with how well we managed the past year", says Günter Übelacker. Exciting large-scale projects are already being planned around the world for 2026.
