METRO Cash & Carry wholesale store in Linz re-opens

Linz / Austria - October 29, 2008 - Ranges in all product areas were expanded and entire layouts were re-designed during the modifications which lasted for ten months. “The Linz wholesale store is a strategic priority for the company by virtue of its innovative regional environment. It is taking on a key position, the exceptionally extensive modernization and expansion are a striking confirmation of this”, says the Managing Director of METRO Cash & Carry Austria, Hans Gerhard Degen, on the occasion of the attractive (re-)opening in Linz, attended by nearly 2500 METRO customers and guests.

A top-level round of discussions between representatives from politics and industry in the state concluded that the regional product range at METRO Cash & Carry Austria and their commitment to sustainable business was impressive. The governor of Upper Austria, Herr Dr. Pühringer, the Mayor of the city of Linz, Herr Dr. Dobusch, the President of the Chamber of Commerce, Herr Dr. Trauner, the chief official of the administrative district, Herr Sigl and the Deputy Mayor and the cultural chief official of the administrative district of the City of Linz, Herr Dr. Watzl held talks with the manager of the Linz store, Herr Gerhard Mayr and the Managing Director Hans Gerhard Degen, professionally moderated by the very likeable Ö3 presenter Syliva Graf. The challenges facing the hotel, restaurant and catering sector during the upcoming major international national event, 'Linz 09 European Capital of Culture’ were also discussed.

The podium highlight was the speech delivered by the charismatic Reverend Öhler who gave the wholesale store a final blessing. Further highlights during the evening were a reading by the actor and author, Wolfgang Böck, well-known for playing the ‘Trautmann’ character, the Bierpapst, Conrad Seidl, the author, Dr. Neuhofer as well as the live broadcast of the Linz private radio station, ‘Lounge FM’ from the Whisky Lounge in the PA area on the first floor.

Highlights of the new METRO wholesale store in Linz:

• Top quality fresh fish: ten-times more floor space
• Focus on the meat counter: top quality from the new 130m² meat cold store
• Wholesale store bakery: completely new
• Wine humidor: exclusively for wine connoisseurs
• METRO shopping environment for household and gastronomy items
• METRO restaurant has undergone a facelift

METRO Cash & Carry has also demonstrated great foresight when planning its energy management: The building envelope has been thermally redeveloped, heat is now supplied by an ultra-modern heat pump system and heat will soon be recovered from refrigeration and ventilation units. "The total annual reduction in CO2 emissions, as a result of this system, amounts to over 585 tons, which is the equivalent of an annual savings potential of nearly 100 family homes,” explains Hans Gerhard Degen, Managing Director of METRO Cash & Carry Austria.

Contact:
METRO Cash & Carry Austria GmbH
Corporate Communications
Mag. Christine Thurner
Ortsstraße 23-37, A-2331 Vösendorf
Phone: +43 (0)1 69080 501
Mobile: +43 (0)664 812 4190
E-mail: christine.thurner@metro.at