KNAPP fördert junge IT-Talente

2024 coding contest draws over 100 participants

This year, the next generation of tech professionals once again gathered at the KNAPP AG in Hart bei Graz to test their skills. Over 100 high school and university students met at the KNAPP coding contest to solve a complex real-world logistics programming challenge.

From all over Austria, young IT talents flocked to Styria to take part in the 2024 KNAPP coding contest. The day kicked off with an opportunity to learn more about career paths and different ways to start a career in software or IT at KNAPP. Then, the competition itself began, where competitors had two hours to solve a programming task. After taking time to socialize and enjoy beer and burgers, the winners were announced: Matthias Bergmann from Graz University of Technology (TU Graz) and Felix Reimüller from the HTL Villach Higher Technical College won the 2024 KNAPP coding contest, each taking home the highly coveted prize of 1,000 euros. Vienna’s HTL Rennweg had an especially good day: Their students Luka Pacar and Fabian Ha placed second and third in the high school category, behind Felix Reimüller from the HTL Villach. The HTL Rennweg also won the award for best institution for the second year in a row. In the university category, Georg Hoffmann (FH Joanneum) and Paul Graf (TU Graz) came in second and third, while Matthias Bergmann (TU Graz) once again took home the gold.

At the coding contest, participants were given an automated warehouse logistics task, with real-world relevance to KNAPP. Specifically, the task was about robotics: Develop an algorithm to process orders in a goods warehouse as efficiently as possible using a robot. Robots play different roles in the distribution centers of KNAPP’s customers. For example, robots in pharmaceutical retail ensure that pharmacies receive their deliveries several times a day, while their cousins in food retail ensure that groceries are delivered at peak freshness and quality.

Solving the programming task is a valuable experience, but the opportunity to get to know KNAPP and potential future coworkers is just as important.

KNAPP: Leading Styrian IT employer

“KNAPP is one of Styria’s largest IT employers. We want to position ourselves as a highly sought-after employer both in Austria and abroad in order to attract the best talent on the market. After all, without our highly skilled and motivated staff, we would not be able to offer our customers such high-quality service,” explains KNAPP CFO Christian Grabner.

During an average day at work, KNAPP’s software specialists handle topics as diverse as machine control systems, warehouse management systems, digital analysis tools, artificial intelligence and digital business models. KNAPP software combines innovative technologies with intelligent automation solutions that keep logistics systems functioning smoothly. This ensures that supermarkets always have fresh goods filling their shelves, that pharmacies always have the medicines they need and that spring fashions always make their way to customers’ closets on time.

More information and photos from the coding contest: https://www.coding-contest.at/

KNAPP coding contest March 1, 2024 – results

About KNAPP

KNAPP is an international technology company based in Styria, Austria. The company develops and manufactures intelligent warehouse systems using the latest technologies in digitalization, software, automation and robotics. At KNAPP, an innovative spirit, an international work environment and a strong sense of teamwork are highly valued. Worldwide, the company has about 7,300 employees, each bringing their individual backgrounds, qualifications and points of view to the table. What brings them together is the passion they feel for their work. They know that providing first-class service within long-term partnerships makes KNAPP the strong partner behind the success of their customers, which include the food retailer SPAR, the pharmaceutical wholesaler Herba Chemosan, the fashion brand Hugo Boss, and the e-commerce giant Zalando.

For more information or to apply for a job online, visit knapp.com/en/career/, or follow KNAPP on Facebook or Instagram for a closer look into the world of KNAPP.