Compact Electric - Empowering women in electrical engineering

Ulrike Haslauer, Managing Director of Compact Electric GmbH, holds her own as one of the very few women in the Austrian electrical industry. She took over the family business in 1989, after the sudden death of her father when she was just 22. “I was still young and inexperienced, but my mother believed in me,” Haslauer recalls. 

Together they successfully took the small company in the 23rd district of Vienna to the next level and turned Compact Electric into a dynamic company that today provides customised control cabinets for industrial applications and complex control solutions for various types of infrastructure. Compact Electric now has around eighty employees and has expanded far beyond the borders of the district.

The energy transition in particular has provided the company with the impetus to become an innovative force that is driving forward pioneering technologies in electromobility and sustainable energy solutions. Compact Electric works closely with energy producers and grid operators, which gives it in-depth understanding of the industry’s technical needs and enables it to develop customised solutions that have made it an established partner for these companies. “It’s important to keep a close eye on changes in the market and constantly adapt your product portfolio,” says Haslauer.

As a young woman, it was not always easy for Ulrike Haslauer to gain a foothold in a male-dominated industry and grow the family business. However, her tireless efforts and willingness to open up new markets laid the foundations for her continuing success. The key breakthrough came when the company expanded into Malaysia. “The time difference and distance made it difficult to build business relationships,” says Haslauer, when asked about the initial challenges. But her tenacity paid off in the end. Today, Compact Electric is an international player with a particular focus on the Asian markets. “It wasn’t easy, but that makes our success all the more valuable,” she says. “Being a small businesses committed to such big projects for the future sometimes makes you feel like a pioneer.”

There are always plans for further internationalisation, but her current focus is on existing markets. She is constantly entering into exciting new cooperations with leading research institutions and technology companies, which are enabling the company to continue to grow.

Long-term support from the Vienna Business Agency played a key role in ensuring the company’s success. Both funding in the field of robotics and targeted consulting helped it to optimise its production processes and implement innovative projects such as the “Compact Gate”, which is used to monitor grid overloads. “The funding took the pressure off us financially and enabled us to invest in the development of new products and services,” says Haslauer.

Haslauer is passionate about inspiring more young women to choose a technical career. As a member of the Mechatronics Industry Association committee, she regularly visits schools to share her passion for technology with the students there. “I always tell the girls: be brave and have faith in yourself and your abilities.” Haslauer is also committed to promoting diversity and equal opportunities in her own company. “For us, performance and commitment are what counts – regardless of gender. If you love technology, you’ll find the perfect environment here to develop your skills.”

“Standing still is not an option for us,” says Haslauer. Compact Electric is continuously working on new solutions to respond to the opportunities presented by the energy transition. Equipment for testing photovoltaic systems and technologies for mitigating blackout scenarios are just some of the innovations that the company is currently driving forward.

Compact Electric’s unusual company philosophy shows that technology is not the company’s only focus. In 2008, Haslauer founded the “Compact Electric Light Orchestra”, a company-owned band in which she herself performs as a singer. “Music is a wonderful outlet for creativity and emotion,” she says. The band has become an integral part of the company culture and is a fixture at company parties and trade fairs. The band’s performances epitomise the philosophy that sets Compact Electric apart: stong performance, passion and a powerful team spirit.

The future of Compact Electric is clearly mapped out: sustainable energy solutions, continued internationalisation and a strong innovative power that will raise the company’s profile far beyond the borders of Austria. “We are far from finished,” says Haslauer resolutely. “We still have plenty of ideas that we intend to put into practice. With this vision, Compact Electric will not only continue to spearhead technological change, but also take a stand for diversity, equal opportunities and a strong sense of community.”