Stage 1: From Lakeside to Innovation — The igus:bike Tour Begins
Michael Poepke | 10. July 2025
Ready… steady… ride!
At 09:00 a.m., the igus:bike Tour Austria officially kicked off at the igus Austria headquarters in Lenzing, located just a short ride from the picturesque Attersee lake in Upper Austria. This tour marks the beginning of a unique journey across the country — one that celebrates clean mobility, technical innovation, and the beauty of discovery. Our first rider: Dieter Bencer, Managing Director of igus Austria.
His destination today? A meaningful combination of history, culture, and customer connection — all from the saddle of the igus:bike.
Lakeside Elegance: Villa Paulick
Just a few kilometers from Lenzing, Dieter arrives at his first stop: the elegant Villa Paulick in Seewalchen. Built in the late 19th century, this summer villa was once a seasonal retreat for Vienna’s elite — including artists, composers, and intellectuals who sought inspiration by the lake. With its ornately carved balconies, lakeside terraces, and romantic charm, the villa stands as a tribute to the golden era of Salzkammergut tourism. Today, it reminds us how timeless design — much like the engineering behind the igus:bike — can continue to captivate generation after generation.
Culture & Creativity: Schloss Kammer and the Marina
Continuing along the Attersee shoreline, Dieter next arrives at Schloss Kammer, a majestic lakeside castle known not only for its heritage, but also for its artistic legacy. This site was immortalized by Gustav Klimt in several of his landscape paintings. The castle’s quiet dignity and surrounding parklands provide the perfect frame for the sparkling lake beyond. Nearby, the marina with its sleek sailboats, slow rhythms, and views of the mountains embodies the kind of peaceful mobility we aim to promote.
Teamwork by the Lake: Meeting Christoph
As Dieter pedals onward toward Weyregg, he crosses paths with his colleague Christoph Föttinger, Co-Managing Director of igus Austria. Taking a short break by the lake, the two share a few moments reflecting on the tour’s goals and vision. With a symbolic handover of the bike, Christoph takes over the ride, demonstrating the team spirit at the heart of igus — where everyone is in motion, together.
Innovation in Motion: Visit to Bikeup GmbH
The journey continues to Bikeup GmbH in Weyregg am Attersee, a company redefining how bicycles are lifted, stored, and serviced. Their smart lifting platforms are designed for compact urban living, combining intuitive design with long-lasting mechanical performance.
Christoph visits the team to see firsthand how igus® plastic bearings and linear components contribute to their systems: corrosion-free, lightweight, and maintenance-free. Together, they discuss the importance of forward-thinking materials in a world increasingly focused on sustainable solutions. It’s a perfect meeting of innovation and purpose.
A Climb to Perspective: Gahberg & the Observatory
With the lakeside behind him, Christoph takes on one final ascent: the climb up the Gahberg. This local peak offers panoramic views over the Attersee and far into the surrounding alpine foothills.
At the top, he visits the Gahberg Observatory, operated by the Astronomical Workgroup Salzkammergut. While quiet in the daylight, the observatory is a place of exploration — an ideal metaphor for the tour itself. From precision optics to advanced engineering, the parallels between star-gazing and technical development become clear. The view is stunning, but the sense of purpose is even greater.
What’s Next?
From lakeside villas and art history to customer innovation and mountaintop views, Stage 1 sets the tone for the entire igus:bike Tour Austria. It’s a story of motion — not just mechanical, but emotional, cultural, and professional.
With fresh air in our lungs and fresh inspiration in our thoughts, we now look ahead to Stage 2. And one thing is already certain: this journey has only just begun.
Our riders:
Dieter Bencer
I’m Dieter Bencer from Austria, and I’ve been part of the igus Austria team since January 2001. When someone asks how long I’ve been with igus, I always need a moment to do the math—but it’s now been 25 years.
Over the years, I’ve worked as a Key Account Manager and later as Sales Manager for e-chain systems. Since 2013, Christoph Föttinger and I have been co-managing igus Austria, and together we’ve built a strong and growing team of 41 colleagues. Our goals are clear, and we’ve got big plans for the years ahead. Even after 25 years, my motivation and fascination for igus remain unchanged.
What drives me to this day is the spirit of innovation and continuous progress that defines igus. Coming from the construction and packaging industries, I got my first taste of machinery and engineering back then—but true innovation? I discovered that here.
Christoph Föttinger
I’m Christoph Föttinger from Austria, and I’ve been part of the igus Austria team since September 2002. I started out as a product manager in the plain bearing division, where I was responsible for developing and establishing drytech on the Austrian market.
As the product area grew successfully, I became Sales Manager for drytech in 2011. Just two years later, in 2013, I had the opportunity to join Dieter Bencer in taking over the management of igus polymer Innovationen GmbH in Austria. Since then, our team has grown from 8 to 41 people—a milestone we’re all really proud of.
Map of this stage:
