Steirisches Nahrungsergänzungsmittelunternehmen NovaLabs is investing 5 million euros through the end of the year to scale capsule and powder production facilities in Graz-Rudersdorf and Graz-Straßgang. Driven by a targeted 25 million euro revenue goal, the white-label manufacturer is expanding technological capacity to meet surging international demand for collagen, vitamins, and protein supplements.
The Expansion Strategy Driving NovaLabs Toward 25 Million Euros
When market participants look at European contract manufacturing, the growth trajectory of Austrian white-label producer NovaLabs stands out. Since inception, the firm has scaled its top-line revenue from 1 million euros to 2 million, then 4 million, 6.5 million, and recently 14 million euros, according to company disclosures. Here is the math: the firm operates currently seven percent above its annual plan, targeting roughly 25 million euros in total revenue for the fiscal year.
To support this volume, founders and managing directors David Schweiger and Christian Gubik deployed roughly 2 million euros earlier this year to establish a second production site in Graz-Rudersdorf. But the balance sheet tells a different story of rapid escalation: an additional 3 million euros is earmarked by year’s end for heavy machinery. This brings total capital expenditure to 5 million euros for the expansion phase.
The Bottom Line
- Capital Deployment: NovaLabs is investing 5 million euros across its Graz-Rudersdorf and Graz-Straßgang sites through the end of the year.
- Revenue Target: The white-label manufacturer is tracking seven percent above its plan, targeting 25 million euros in annual turnover.
- Headcount Growth: Staffing levels expanded past 100 employees, adding roughly 30 new roles in 2026.
Technological Upgrades and Automated Mixing Infrastructure
The bulk of the Rudersdorf capital program focuses on two new packaging lines for capsules. Meanwhile, the main headquarters in Graz-Straßgang is receiving high-throughput automation. A new filling machine will meter powder and liquid products into stickpacks—similar to single-serve sugar packets found in cafes—alongside a new stand-up pouch system and a pick-and-place robot.
Crucially, headquarters is integrating a new mixing hall featuring three distinct systems. The centerpiece is a 2,000-liter spherical mixer, noted as the first of its kind in Austria. Utilizing two counter-rotating shafts, the apparatus cuts mixing times from 20 minutes down to roughly 90 seconds. According to Schweiger, complex formulations require homogenizing hundreds of kilograms of base material with mere grams of active ingredients, necessitating extreme precision across all batch sizes.
Export Corridors and Macroeconomic Resilience
Domestic demand no longer dictates the company’s trajectory. Approximately half of NovaLabs revenue is generated outside Austria. Germany serves as the primary foreign market, accounting for around 40 percent of total turnover, while secondary export channels extend to Switzerland, Belgium, France, Dubai, and China.
| Metric / Milestone | Previous Period | Current Status (2026) |
|---|---|---|
| Annual Revenue Milestone | 14 million euros | Targeting ~25 million euros |
| Total Workforce | 76 employees (start of year) | Over 100 employees |
| Capital Expenditure | 2 million euros (Rudersdorf phase 1) | Additional 3 million euros by year-end |
| Export Share | Growing regional footprint | ~50% of total revenue |
Talent Acquisition and Forward Outlook
Scaling physical capacity requires human capital. Having commenced the year with 76 team members, NovaLabs has onboarded roughly 30 additional staff, pushing headcount past the century mark. Active recruitment targets machine operators, production workers, ERP programmers, and specialists in finance, controlling, and process management.
With machinery deliveries scheduled sequentially through the final quarter, NovaLabs is positioning its infrastructure to absorb incoming contract volume.
