Skills shortage: how LARO-Tec scaled through technology instead of headcount
When LARO-Tec lost 20% of its inspection workforce overnight, replacing people wasn't a realistic option. Instead of searching, the company moved its condition assessment – and held its capacity.
October 2026
AT A GLANCE
Figures supplied by LARO-Tec.
The Starting Point
LARO-Tec saw a sudden 20 % drop in staff within its inspection operation. In a market where qualified operators are hard to find, that threatened to cap capacity for good.
The remaining teams would have had to do more – without the quality of the reports or the strain on people suffering for it. Months of recruiting was not a dependable answer to that.
"AI doesn't replace people here. It gives our experts the tools to deliver at the top of their game despite the skills shortage."
[Name und Funktion ergänzen], LARO-Tec
The Decision
Rather than searching, LARO-Tec moved the condition assessment itself. Pallon handles the coding and classification of defects straight from the inspection data.
That removes the logging work in the van. Operators in the field concentrate on what they are there for: a clean inspection run.
The Result
Efficiency in field inspection rose by nearly 30%. The loss of 20% of the workforce was not just absorbed – the team's total output held steady.
At the same time, turnaround to the finished client report shortened considerably. The remaining inspectors are freed from repetitive screen work.
Strategically the difference is larger than the number suggests: while other companies have to turn down work for lack of staff, LARO-Tec stays able to deliver, scaling through technology rather than headcount.
LARO-TEC GmbH, based in Spittal an der Drau, Carinthia, is a specialist service provider for underground infrastructure maintenance across Austria. Founded by Robert Lagger, it combines over 20 years of industry experience with current technology to inspect, clean and rehabilitate pipe and sewer systems.
Customer type
Inspection company
Region
Carinthia, Austria – operating nationwide
Assets
Pipes and manholes
Services
Inspection, cleaning and rehabilitation of pipe and sewer systems
Founded by
Robert Lagger
Experience
Over 20 years in the industry
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