BUSINESS IN WEST MECKLENBURG SETTING SAIL TOGETHER
1 The west of the federal state of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, the eastern part of the Hamburg metropolitan region, directly on the Baltic Sea and close to the capital region of Berlin: West Mecklenburg is located in the middle of northern Germany and, as the intersection of three European transport corridors, simultaneously connects the economic areas of western and eastern Europe as well as central and southern Europe with Scandinavia. Its central location, combined with modern infrastructure, efficient transport routes and well-developed and favourable commercial and industrial sites make West Mecklenburg the ideal location for your business idea and your investment. With the state capital Schwerin at the heart of the region, the distances between business and politics are short. A settlement-friendly environment enables quick decisions and and offers attractive relocation packages. In addition to traditional industries such as shipbuilding, mechanical engineering or the food and logistics industries, the focus is on future fields such as the health industry, information technologies and renewable energy. But regardless of the industry, you will find enthusiastic people here who are amenable to your settlement project. WEST MECKLENBURG – A STRONG ECONOMIC REGION SETTING SAIL TOGETHER Editorial I
2 The slogans “a great place to live and work” and “come to where the power is” come together in an ideal way in West Mecklenburg. A well-trained and motivated workforce and renewable energy give West Mecklenburg a competitive advantage today and in the future. Whether industries, traditional family businesses or start-ups: they all find clean and crisis-proof energy here, more and more natives of the region returning with their young families and an attractive, natural and, above all,liveable environment in scenic surroundings. This publication aims to make you curious to get to know the region and its economic structure and to provide important arguments for your decision to choose West Mecklenburg as a business location. We will be happy to answer your questions. We are your contact when it comes to networks and all sources of information. We would be delighted if you decided to drop anchor in West Mecklenburg in your search for an investment location. So let us set sail together into an economically successful future. Ihre Industrie- und Handelskammer zu Schwerin. Your Schwerin Chamber of Commerce and industry. I Editorial
INHALT Wirtschaftsstandort Westmecklenburg Region Westmecklenburg S. xx Westmecklenburg auf einen Blick S. xx Infrastruktur S. xx Ostseeraum und Metropolregion Hamburg S. xx Industrie- und Gewerbegebiete S. xx Industriepark Schwerin S. xx Businesspark A24 S. xx Wismar Kritzowburg S. xx Kompetenzbranchen Logistikwirtschaft S. xx Ernährungswirtschaft S. xx Holz- und Kunststoffindustrie S. xx Automotive und Luftfahrt S. xx Maritime Industrie S. xx Gesundheitswirtschaft S. xx Erneuerbare Energien S. xx Maschinenbau S. xx Wissenschaft und Bildung Hochschule! S. xx Aus- und Weiterbildung! S. xx technologisch! innovtativ! S. xx Lebenswerte Region natürlich! touristisch! S. xx familienfreundlich! S. xx kulturell! S. xx CONTENT Editorial 02 West Mecklenburg Region: Powerhouse in the Baltic Sea Region 04 West Mecklenburg at glance 10 Infrastructure and optimal market access 12 Baltic area and the Hamburg Metropolitan Region 16 Focus sectors Agriculture industry 44 Logistics industry 48 Renewable energy 52 Maritime industry 56 Healthcare industry 60 Wood cluster & plastics industry 62 Automotive and aerospace 64 Mechanical engineering/ Metal processing 66 Bibliography and legal notice 96 Science and education Colleges and universities 70 Education and training 73 Technology and innovation 76 Industrial and commercial areas Schwerin Industrial Park 86 Ludwigslust-Parchim A24 Business Park 88 Wismar Industrial Park 90 Wittenburg Commercial Estate 92 Grevesmühlen Commercial Park 94 A region worth living in Natural. Relaxing 20 Family-friendly 26 Cultural 28 Experience-oriented 34 Schwerin Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCI)
4 WEST MECKLENBURG REGION: POWERHOUSE IN THE BALTIC REGION The region of West Mecklenburg lies in the middle of the triangle formed by the metropolises of Copenhagen, Hamburg and Berlin. The approximately 7,000-squarekilometre area is the western part of the federal state of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern and at the same time the eastern part of the Hamburg metropolitan region and is formed by the two districts of Ludwigslust-Parchim and Northwest Mecklenburg as well as the state capital Schwerin. The district of Northwest Mecklenburg is located directly on the Baltic coast and is economically and geographically characterised by its proximity to the Hanseatic city of Lübeck, the state capital Schwerin and the Hanseatic city of Rostock. Direct transport links to the Baltic region are ensured by the A 20 motorway via the seaport of Wismar. Economically, the district is one of Europe‘s top locations for the timber as well as the food industry and is visited by hundreds of thousands of tourists every year. A special attraction is Wismar, a Hanseatic, university and UNESCO World Heritage City. In recent years, a lively start-up scene has developed here that radiates throughout the entire region. I West Mecklenburg Region Amsterdam
Malmö Kopenhagen Rostock Neubrandenburg SCHWERIN LUDWIGSLUST-PARCHIM NORTHWEST MECKLENBURG MECKLENBURG- VORPOMMERN A 20 A 14 A 24 A 7 A 1 A 19 Hamburg Hannover Stettin Berlin Lübeck Bremen Magdeburg
Large industrial and commercial land potential approx. 625 hectares available - conveniently located in terms of costs and transport links Central locational benefits at a glance – your reasons for choosing West Mecklenburg Well-developed infrastructure Congestion-free motorways, efficient seaports, intersection in the trans-European transport network Active business development and network partners Strong, well connected sectors, clusters and networks Science and business Prestigious higher education institutions, , universities and research facilities Family friendliness Excellent childcare for all ages, attractive living conditions and affordable house prices Outstanding quality of life Pure nature and culture Energy state MV By far Germany‘s highest share of renewable energy in power generation Strong workforce potential well educated, highly motivated - support in staff acquisition as well as training and further education Business people are always welcome Short decision-making processes in the administration, attractive funding opportunities Proximity to international markets The Baltic economic region and Port of Hamburg right on the doorstep
7 With an area of 4,751 square kilometres, the district of LudwigslustParchim is the second largest district in Germany and forms the southern part of West Mecklenburg. It is geographically characterised by its location on the Hamburg-Berlin axis. A large catchment area within quick reach via the A24 and A14 motorways as well as via the ICE line between the two metropolises, which stops in Ludwigslust. The economic landscape is dominated by companies from manufacturing industry, especially from the food sector, but also the logistics industry is strong. The district is fully committed to renewable energy and plans to establish green industrial estates. The existing pipeline infrastructure also provides the basis for the future technology of hydrogen. The district is also an area of outstanding natural beauty, with its two Schaalsee and Flusslandschaft Elbe UNESCO biosphere reserves along the former inner-German border as well as the region around the Plauer See Lake, the western gateway to the Mecklenburg Lake District, standing out in particular. West Mecklenburg Region I
8 Schwerin has a population of around 100,000 and is not only the capital of the state of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern but also its political centre, housing the parliament at the castle. The 131 square kilometres of the city are embedded in a unique lake landscape; Lake Schwerin is the fourth largest lake in Germany at 61.5 square kilometres. With the residential ensemble around Schwerin Castle, which also includes the State Theatre and the State Museum, the city is applying to become a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The city looks back on a manifold industrial tradition. In addition to early aircraft construction, cable and plastics processing as well as mechanical and plant engineering also established themselves. Today, Schwerin‘s industrial park is home to companies from the food and packaging industries as well as aerospace suppliers and pharma sector companies. The latter brought a dynamic growth industry to the city. With about 180 hectares of vacant land, the industrial park offers the largest industrial land potential in the Hamburg metropolitan region - only 100 kilometres from the port of Hamburg. And thanks to the excellent ICE rail connection, the journey from Schwerin to Hamburg takes less than one hour. I West Mecklenburg Region
View of the Schwerin Castle Lake with Schwerin Castle and the Ludwig-Bölkow-Haus.
10 The demographic development of the state has been stabilising for more than 10 years, contrary to some forecasts. The population of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern has been around 1.6 million since 2012. In West Mecklenburg, there has already been continuous population growth since 2013. In addition to the influx from third countries, an increase in young families in particular is becoming apparent. Many of them are so-called “returnees”. They are increasingly dropping anchor in their home port again and often bringing their young families with them. WEST MECKLENBURG AT A GLANCE I West Mecklenburg at a glance Another positive indication of the economic development in West Mecklenburg is the continuously growing amount of employment subject to social insurance contributions. Since 2013, there has been an increase of 3.4 per cent to 166,175 jobs in 2021. At the same time, the proportion of foreign employees subject to social insurance contributions has increased from 1.7 to 5.3 per cent. The location of West Mecklenburg is becoming increasingly international. Investment from companies hailing from Switzerland, Denmark and Sweden, from Austria and Italy and the Netherlands are testament to that development. CONTINUOUS POPULATION GROWTH AND INTERNATIONALISATION OF THE LOCATION
West Mecklenburg in figures Mecklenburg-Vorpommern in figures 473.296 inhabitants (30.09.2022) +1,72 per cent since 2017 +36.8 per cent increase in gross domestic product at current prices between 2011 and 2021 Germany: 32.6 per cent, eastern German federal states: 33.7 per cent +58.5 per cent gross value added at current prices in the manufacturing sector between 2011 and 2021 and ICT in 2017 Germany: 30.3 per cent, eastern German federal states: 40.2 per cent In the period from 2017 to September 2022, new infrastructure measures were supported with around 671.7 million euros in investment grants. This triggered total investments worth approximately 859.3 million euros. +37.8 per cent real gross value added at current prices between 2011 and 2021 Germany: +33.5 per cent, eastern German federal states: +34.7 per cent 6.6 per cent unemployment rate (average in 2022) Reduced by half in the past ten years 22.545 euro purchasing power per capita +15,30 per cent from 2017 to 2022 CCI associated companies: 25.000 29,857 employees subject to social insurance contributions in the manufacturing sector +3 per cent since 2017 over 114,650 employees subject to social security contributions in the service sector +2.3 per cent within 5 years
12 West Mecklenburg offers an excellent geographic location as part of the Hamburg metropolitan region and with best connections to the Copenhagen-Malmö and Berlin-Brandenburg metropolitan regions. This guarantees optimal market access to millions of people. With high-performance infrastructure across all modes of transport, the region is the intersection of three European north-south and eastwest corridors of the Trans-European Network (TEN) and thus has outstanding international links. West Mecklenburg has a very well-developed federal trunk road network that guarantees fast connections. The A 14 motorway runs from Wismar via Schwerin to Grabow and soon to Magdeburg, making the route to Leipzig the shortest connection with central and southern Germany. The A 20 coastal motorway provides direct access to the ports of Lübeck via Wismar, Rostock and Stralsund to Stettin. As a link between Hamburg and Berlin, the A 24 crosses West Mecklenburg from west to east. This corridor is home to a large number of attractive commercial and industrial sites, which are constantly being expanded and qualitatively developed. INFRASTRUCTURE AND OPTIMAL MARKET ACCESS FAST CONNECTIONS GUARANTEED I Infrastructure and optimal market access
COUNTY OF LUDWIGSLUST-PARCHIM COUNTY OF NORTHWEST MECKLENBURG STATE CAPITAL SCHWERIN Lübeck 5 km Hamburg 50 km Ludwigslust Hagenow Parchim Wismar Grevesmühlen Berlin 130 km Rostock 40 km Magdeburg 150 km A 24 A 14 A 20 Harbour CCI WEST MECKLENBURG DISTRICT
14 The Baltic ports of Wismar and Rostock are important interfaces in intercontinental and European transport chains and bridgeheads into the Baltic region. Germany‘s largest overseas port, the Port of Hamburg, is a logistics interface for foreign trade in the immediate vicinity. From the state border between Mecklenburg-Vorpommern and Schleswig-Holstein on the A 24 motorway, it is about 60 kilometres to the Port of Hamburg, and about 100 kilometres from Schwerin Industrial Park. Rail infrastructure: With the Rostock-Hamburg line via Schwerin and the BerlinHamburg high-speed line with a stop in Ludwigslust, West Mecklenburg has two important rail axes that are supplemented by regional lines. In recent years, there has been a continuous expansion of IC and ICE train frequencies. The direct connection from Schwerin to Lübeck and the construction of the Fehmarnbelt Tunnel will give the region new impetus for growth. West Mecklenburg will become the centre of a pan-European infrastructure from Scandinavia to Italy. On the way to the Fehmarnbelt tunnel: The Fehmarnbelt Tunnel, which is currently under construction, is a truly major European project that will enormously reduce travel times between Scandinavia and Central Europe and strengthen connections between Germany, Denmark and Sweden. When completed in 2029, the tunnel will provide a shortcut for rail and road traffic between Denmark and other Nordic countries and Central Europe. The rail journey through the tunnel will take 7 minutes by train and the 160-kilometre diversions for trains, trucks and cars across the Danish mainland will be made redundant. With the construction of the track curve near Bad Kleinen and the completion of the A14 motorway, the West Mecklenburg region will fit even better into the increasingly connected economic and growth area between Malmö, Distance to Hamburg habour » approx. 60 kilometres from the state border » approx. 100 kilometres from the industrial estate Schwerin I Infrastructure and optimal market access
Motoway access to the A24 Valluhn-Gallin business park Copenhagen, Hamburg, Lübeck, Magdeburg, Berlin and Leipzig/Dresden in terms of infrastructure and offer companies in the region new sales markets. This will make the tunnel an essential part of a European transport corridor. Air traffic: The international airports of Hamburg and Berlin as well as the regional airport Rostock-Laage provide rapid and cost-effective access to passenger and freight air traffic. Expansion of the broadband infrastructure: Mecklenburg-Vorpommern benefits particularly strongly from the federal funding programme for broadband expansion. The West Mecklenburg region will be equipped with fibre optic lines almost everywhere by the end of 2023 - the best prerequisites for the upcoming gigabit age and new-work concepts. Comprehensive mobile network coverage will also be provided.
Harbour with a view of the Hanseatic city of Wismar
17 In many respects, the Baltic connection is an outstanding location factor for West Mecklenburg. More than 100 million people live in the Baltic region, making it economically interesting as a trading area with a long history. As logistics hubs, the Baltic ports represent an important international economic factor. The quality of life associated with the sea attracts around 6,500 young students to Mecklenburg-Vorpommern every year. Attractive jobs ensure that a large number of graduates, as well as the more than 13,000 school graduates each year, remain in the state. Commuters, who have to leave the region every day to reach their workplace, and returnees, who are drawn back to their old home, both form another large potential pool of skilled workers. In addition, the white Baltic beaches act as magnets for thousands of visitors every year. The well over 100 kilometres of beach in the district of Nordwestmecklenburg alone attract Baltic lovers in particular to the 37 square kilometre island of Poel and to the traditional Baltic resort of Boltenhagen. The baltic area and Hamburg metropolitan region THE BALTIC AREA AND HAMBURG METROPOLITAN REGION
18 Hamburg Metropolitan Region in figures » 17 rural and urban administrative districts, 3 urban municipalities and the Hanseatic City of Hamburg » Area: 28,500 square kilometres (almost as big as Belgium) » Population: 5.4 million (more inhabitants than Norway) » Gross domestic product: 234,400 billion euros in 2019 (similar GDP to Portugal or the Czech Republic) Through co–operation in the Hamburg Metropolitan Region you can tap into and explore the opportunities of the various synergies. The Hamburg Metropolitan Region is one of the most competitive regions in Germany and Europe. 5.4 million people live and work here. West Mecklenburg benefits in particular from the strengths of the Hamburg metropolis and the even closer co-operation in this economic integration area since 2017. Hamburg‘s function as an international logistics hub is obvious. But West Mecklenburg also benefits from its proximity to world-leading universities and research institutions and last, but not least, to the cultural offerings in the metropolis on the Elbe with its international profile. As part of the Hamburg metropolitan region, the business location of West Mecklenburg has a part in all these strengths in international competition. I The baltic area and Hamburg metropolitan region
Kreis Dittmarschen Kreis Steinburg Kreis Pinneberg Kreis Segeberg Neumünster Lübeck Schwerin Kreis Ostholstein Kreis Stormarn Kreis Herzogtum Lauenburg Landkreis Cuxhaven Landkreis Rotenburg Landkreis Stade Landkreis Harburg Landkreis Heidekreis Landkreis Lüneburg Landkreis Ludwigslust-Parchim Landkreis Nordwestmecklenburg Landkreis Uelzen Landkreis Lüchow-Dannenberg Hamburg
Beach access in the Baltic resort of Boltenhagen
21 The West Mecklenburg region is characterised by its unique natural potential for recreation, holidays and leisure. Thousands of locals and visitors every year are enamoured with its green meadows and fields, deep forests, numerous lakes and rivers with clean and clear water, old avenues, long white Baltic beaches and large, unspoilt nature reserves. A quarter of the area is protected because of its unique landscape and nature. Well over 100 kilometres of white sandy beaches attract Baltic Sea lovers to the coast of West Mecklenburg. The 37-square-kilometre island of Poel and the traditional Baltic resort of Boltenhagen are particular attractions here. A wide variety of leisure activities ensure that this special natural environment can be explored and combined with recreational benefits. Modern cycling and hiking trails offer the best conditions for a sporting nature experience in a largely untouched landscape. All kinds of water sports are possible in the Baltic Sea and on the many lakes in West Mecklenburg. Modern golf courses offer outstanding standards. A REGION WORTH LIVING IN NATURAL. RELAXNG Natural. Relaxing I WITH 1,648 HOURS OF SUNSHINE PER YEAR MECKLENBURG-VORPOMMERN IS GERMANY‘S SUNNIEST FEDERAL STATE
22 Schaalsee UNESCO Biosphere Reserve: Today, the former border area along the inner-German border is a conservation area. The former no-man‘s land with crystal-clear lakes and unspoilt forests has become a 30,000-hectare retreat for orchids, otters and fire-bellied toads - and a popular region for nature tourism. UNESCO Biosphere Reserve Elbe River Landscape: the transnational UNESCO Biosphere Reserve Elbe River Landscape lies on the border to Lower Saxony. Due to the long-standing isolation of the area on the inner-German border, the pristine nature of the flood plains has been preserved. Today, these original habitats are home to rare plants and animals.. Lewitz European Bird protection area: Formed during the Ice Age some ten thousand years ago, the approximately 16,800-hectare water-rich area to the southeast of the state capital Schwerin is considered Germany‘s largest contiguous meadow landscape. There are four nature reserves within Lewitz. Since 1992, large parts of it have been designated as a European protection area. Nature in West Mecklenburg in figures: » Over ¼ of the area is covered by nature and landscape conservation areas » over 100 kilometres of Baltic beach » 2 recognised UNESCO biosphere reserves » Germany‘s fourth largest lake – Lake Schwerin » Germany‘s largest contiguous meadow landscape – Lewitz Tourism as an economic factor in MV in 2019 » 34 million overnight stays, including 400,000 foreign visitors » 7.8 billion euros in turnover » 7,8 Milliarden Euro Umsatz » 5.1 billion euros in tourism value added, 12 per cent of total value added » 173,000 people employed in tourism, 18 per cent of the labour force I Natural. Relaxing
View of Zarrentin Monastery and Schaalsee Biosphere Reserve
View of St. Marien Church in Parchim from the River Elde
26 Great emphasis is placed on family-friendliness as one of West Mecklenburg’s qualities. With its comprehensive network of childcare facilities and extensive opening hours, the region has very good conditions for reconciling family and work. State funding for day-care facilities, but also for day-care places, plays an important role here. The wide range of off-peak and 24-hour daycare facilities ensures care around the clock, 365 days a year, and is particularly valuable for shift workers. Crèches, kindergartens, day care and after-school care in MecklenburgVorpommern have been free of charge since 2020. The state has invested more than 350 million euros per year in day care for children since 1 January 2020. 97 per cent of all girls and boys between the age of three and when they start school are cared for in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern in day care centres, which have increasingly developed into early childhood education institutions in recent years. In contrast to the western German states, most places involve all-day care. The average working week of women in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern is about 34 hours, which is about four hours above the national average and is another indication that the compatibility of work and family in West Mecklenburg works and that the parallelism of raising children and working is a lived normality. A REGION WORTH LIVING IN FAMILY–FRIENDLY Childcare in MV (2022) » 115,078 children under the age of 14 are cared for in day-care facilities in MecklenburgVorpommern. » 58 per cent care rate for under-3s (federal government: 35 per cent) » 95.4 per cent care rate for 3- to 6-year-olds (federal government: 92.5 per cent) » 15,721 persons working in day-care facilities for children » 12,544 of whom have a vocational training qualification in special education » 24-hour and out-of-hours day-care centres ensure care around the clock - 365 days a year Companies that promote the compatibility of work and private life can have themselves certified as familyfriendly companies in the district of LudwigslustParchim by the Southwest Mecklenburg Economic Development Agency and thus clearly position themselves in the competition for good skilled workers. I Family–friendly
27 Living space for the whole family: Another important factor in the familyfriendliness of a region is the availability of affordable, high-quality housing. Families who dream of owning their own property will find excellent conditions and affordable building land in West Mecklenburg. Proximity to nature and culture with optimal infrastructure included! Living directly on the water is not uncommon either. Family-friendly land acquisition – municipal building subsidies for young families: To make it easier for young families to settle in Ludwigslust, there is a subsidy for a plot of land up to a maximum of 700 square metres. For one child, the subsidy amounts to 10 per cent, and from the second child onwards, it is 15 per cent of the price of the land. Rental price index (2022) — rents per square metre: » Germany: 8.92 euros » Mecklenburg-Vorpommern: 7.10 euros » Schwerin: 7.88 euros » Wismar: 7.58 euros Land prices (2022) per square metre: » Germany: 460 euros » Mecklenburg-Vorpommern: 167 euros » Ludwigslust-Parchim: 77 euros » Northwest Mecklenburg: 174 euros » Schwerin: 171 euros
28 Numerous castles, manor houses and stately homes, museums and theatres, gardens and parks, countless testimonies to brick Gothic in churches and historic town centres characterise the cultural landscape of the West Mecklenburg region. The mighty churches and magnificent town halls and town houses still tell of the flourishing Hanseatic era in northern Germany. With its original charm, the entire West Mecklenburg region is a magnificent stage for glittering cultural events of every kind. Castles and stately homes are transformed into enchanting concert halls and castle parks serve as breathtaking backdrops. LIVEABLE REGION CULTURAL
Ludwigslust palace
Residence ensemble of the state capital Schwerin
31 Schwerin Castle – nestled in the beautiful Schwerin lake landscape, it resembles a true fairytale castle. Once the seat of the dukes of Mecklenburg, it now houses the state parliament of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern and the impressive castle museum. The castle and palace gardens offer masterful horticulture and wonderful promenades, and both the castle café and the orangery invite visitors to linger after an exciting tour. Schwerin Cathedral is the seat of the regional bishop of the Protestant church between the North Sea and the Baltic in the federal states of Hamburg, SchleswigHolstein and Mecklenburg-Vorpommern. At 117.5 metres, the cathedral is one of the 30 tallest sacred buildings in the world. Schwerin‘s music and theatre history began more than 450 years ago. Today‘s Mecklenburg State Orchestra is the third oldest orchestra in Germany after Dresden and Kassel. With the Mecklenburg State Theatre and its Great House as part of the Schwerin Residence Ensemble, the region has a multi-part theatre which, with the Low German Fritz Reuter Stage, also has the only professional Low German ensemble in Germany besides the Ohnsorg Theatre in Hamburg. Cultural I
32 The UNESCO World Heritage Hanseatic City of Wismar was the important trading centre during the Hanseatic period and has managed to preserve its medieval layout almost unchanged to this day. It was placed on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 2002. The authenticity of the medieval harbour basin has been preserved to this day. Within the historic town centre, three monumental brick churches represent a unique testimony to the famous sacred architecture in the southern Baltic region. The former residential palace of Ludwigslust, which belonged to the dukes of Mecklenburg, is the centre of a baroque town complex that is still completely preserved today. The Golden Hall in the central section of the palace is a splendid sight. It extends over two floors and its large windows, mirrors and crystal chandeliers radiate courtly splendour. In addition, the Ludwigslust Palace Park with its water features and garden architecture is one of the most beautiful in northern Germany.
Brick Gothic of the Church of St. Nikolai in the Hanseatic City of Wismar
34 Whether kite surfing off the island of Poel, the water ski lift in Zachun, sailing on Lake Schwerin or stand-up paddling on the Elde – the Baltic coast, Lake Schwerin and the numerous inland waters of West Mecklenburg offer ideal conditions for water and leisure sports enthusiasts. But winter sports enthusiasts also get their money‘s worth all year round at the Alpincenter Wittenburg – as do cyclists on the many beautiful cycle paths in the region. The sports-mad city of Schwerin doesn’t just host annual dragon boat competitions. The women‘s volleyball team regularly competes for the German championship, as does the men‘s boxing team, which for some years now has been continuing the great tradition of boxing at the Schwerin Olympic Training Centre. LIVEABLE REGION EXPERIENCE–ORIENTED Cycling routes in West Mecklenburg: » 2,130 kilometres Water areas in the region: » 113 kilometres of coastline on the Baltic Sea » 180 kilometres of continuously navigable waterway from the Elbe to the Müritz
Water sports on the Baltic
Schwerin Castle Festival
37 The Schwerin Castle Festival stages opera and theatre performances in a stylish setting and creates unique cultural experiences. The backdrop of Schwerin‘s fairytale castle attracts thousands of visitors from all over Germany and abroad to the Schwerin Castle Festival every year. Every year, tens of thousands of guests are captivated by the Mecklenburg State Theatre‘s summer productions in the Old Garden, one of the most beautiful historic squares in northern Germany. The Pirate Open Air in Grevesmühlen has taken place from the end of June to the beginning of September since 2005. It is one of the most successful open-air theatres in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern. The auditorium has a capacity of 1,500 seats. Daredevil fencing fights, special effects, breathtaking stunts, real muzzleloading weapons and cannons, more than 60 actors and a stage set that changes every year are the hallmarks of the elaborate productions.
38 Festivals in the region are also becoming increasingly popular. With Airbeat One, Neustadt-Glewe hosts one of the largest electro festivals in northern Germany with up to 65,000 spectators. The music at “Airbeat One” is as diverse as the festival itself. Stars of the scene such as Paul van Dyk, Klangkarussell and Fritz Kalkbrenner perform here. The Mecklenburg-Vorpommern Festival is also the third largest classical music festival in Germany. Around 120 concerts throughout the state and the “Small Festival in the Big Park” in Ludwigslust attract visitors to MecklenburgVorpommern from June to September. Every year, up to 85,000 classical music fans experience young up-and-coming artists as well as the great stars of the classical music scene, whether in old manor houses, barns, factory halls, castles and churches or in the open air. “Jamel rockt den Förster” near Wismar, which has been taking place since 2007, is also one of Germany‘s best-known festivals for democracy and tolerance, featuring star acts such as Die Ärzte, Beatsteaks and Marteria. The region is musically already quite prominently represented worldwide. For example, two members of the band Rammstein come from the Schwerin area and the popular DJ Felix Jaehn grew up only a few kilometres from the Baltic resort of Boltenhagen. I experience–oriented
Airbeat One Festival
Production Ypsomed AG in Schwerin
43 West Mecklenburg is a region for living and working. Whether classic industry such as shipbuilding, the food industry or plastics processing: West Mecklenburg‘s industries have undergone major changes in recent decades and have successfully adapted to new challenges. They have been on a solid growth course since 2005. The logistics and health industries in particular have recorded strong growth rates. But an efficient owner-managed economic structure that characterises West Mecklenburg today has also developed in mechanical engineering and metal construction. By focusing on selected industries, we want to highlight their importance for the region, provide insights into the diversity of the corporate landscape and present particular beacons. Tip: The newly published brochure “Industrial Location with a Future: West Mecklenburg” from the Schwerin Chamber of Commerce and Industry offers a detailed presentation of many interesting manufacturing companies in the region: https://www.yumpu.com/en/embed/view/TS4WkLzK1IyMQnBA FOCUS SECTORS IN WEST MECKLENBURG Focus sectors in West Mecklenburg I
Product overview West Mecklenburg
45 Mecklenburg-Vorpommern looks back on a long agricultural tradition. Since reunification, companies in the food industry in particular have increasingly settled along the well-developed infrastructure axes and have become an important industrial economic factor. The natural resources found in West Mecklenburg can thus be used profitably. Agriculture provides valuable raw materials for modern food products. The industrial processing of these raw materials into finished foodstuffs increases the depth of production. A total of about 17,000 people are employed in the food industry in MecklenburgVorpommern. The companies in this sector generate a turnover volume of around 5 billion euros. The share of the food industry in the total turnover of the manufacturing industry is about 33 per cent. Within the manufacturing industry, the food industry is therefore the largest industrial sector in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, both in terms of the number of employees and in terms of turnover, and has been recording continuous growth for years. FOCUS: AGRICULTURE INDUSTRY Focus: Agriculture industry I
46 The food industry in figures » 17,000 employees in MV » 5 billion euros turnover » 1/3 of the total turnover in the manufacturing industry » more than 50 per cent of the sector‘s turnover is generated in West Mecklenburg The bilingual CCI publication “Agricultural and food industry in West Mecklenburg” (German/ English) is available online: www.ihkzuschwerin.de The most important production areas include the bakery industry, meat processing, milk processing, fish processing and beverage production. The majority of the companies are medium-sized enterprises,. important subsidiaries of international corporations are also located in the state, such as Dr. Oetker Tiefkühlprodukte GmbH in Wittenburg or Carl Kühne KG in Hagenow. In addition, in recent years there have regularly been further settlements and investments by companies in the food industry. These include in particular the construction of a plant for food additives by SternMaid GmbH in Wittenburg, the construction of an Edeka meat plant in Valluhn, the settlement of the confectionery manufacturers Toffee Tec GmbH and Sweet Tec GmbH in Boizenburg as well as Trolli in Hagenow or the Nescafé Dolce Gusto plant in Schwerin. Almost 15 per cent of all food and beverages from Mecklenburg-Vorpommern are exported. More than 50 per cent of the state‘s industry turnover is generated in West Mecklenburg. Due to the long tradition of this economic sector in West Mecklenburg, there is also a large pool of skilled workers with specialist knowledge, skills and abilities that are closely linked to the industry and the region. In addition, the favourable logistical conditions, the well-developed research and education infrastructure and also the industry-specific networks and, last but not least, broad political support offer a decisive advantage. I Focus: Agriculture industry
For the food industry, there are numerous future fields, especially due to the growing market for organic food and vegetarian/vegan products. The companies in the region are positioning themselves or adapting accordingly. In Severin, for example, around 2,000 woodland turkeys are allowed to roam freely on 20,000 square metres of meadow and 7,500 square metres of forest at Mecklenburger Landpute GmbH - guaranteeing high meat quality., The company has concentrated entirely on organic products since 2022. And Ludwigslust Fleisch- und Wurstspezialitäten GmbH & CO. KG is also focusing more and more on animal-friendly and environmentally friendly products. The companies in the food industry are also becoming increasingly networked. With the Food Academy, there is a network in Southwest Mecklenburg that bundles capacities and needs, ensures an exchange of experience between companies and implements strategies to make the industry attractive as an employer. Today, 21 companies with over 3,500 employees are already involved in the Food Academy. Production of fruit gums at Trolli GmbH Hagenow
48 Due to increasingly branched value chains, the logistics industry is the backbone for opening up global markets and, measured by turnover, one of the largest economic sectors in Germany. Almost all companies in the fields of production, distribution and trade are directly dependent on efficient logistics. Therefore, the expansion of the West Mecklenburg logistics location forms the basis for the stable economic development of the past years. The West Mecklenburg region is an excellent platform for logistics companies in a wide variety of key sectors. Among other things, logistics services providers use the region as a starting point for transports to Northern and Eastern Europe. Mecklenburg-Vorpommern was the federal state with the least traffic jams in 2022. There were only two hours of congestion per kilometre of motorway. Unique in Germany. FOCUS: LOGISTICS INDUSTRY I Focus: Logistics industry
Modern infrastructure for contemporary logistics in West Mecklenburg (motorway)
Logistics performance at Seehafen Wismar GmbH
51 Logistics industry in figures » over 40,000 employees in MV » 7.4 per cent share of total employment in MV » 11 per cent of all employees in LudwigslustParchim and 9 per cent in Northwest Mecklenburg Above all, the infrastructural advantages of the location open up a great deal of potential for value creation. Compared to other economic centres in northern Germany, there is also a supply of commercial space that is constantly being developed and expanded. A high number of employees and a significant share of the local economic output underline the overall economic importance of the industry. The transport and logistics sector in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern has more than 40,000 employees subject to social insurance contributions. This is a share of about 7.4 per cent of total employment in the state. The development of absolute employment is increasing at an above-average rate. Especially in the district of Ludwigslust-Parchim, the share of the logistics sector in total employment is above average at 11 per cent. Numerous wholesale logistics companies have settled here. They include DS Produkte GmbH and EDEKA Nord-Service- und Logistikgesellschaft in Businesspark A24, the JYSK distribution centre in Zarrentin, or Finitex GmbH & Co. KG in Hagenow. Focus: Logistics industry I
52 Mecklenburg-Vorpommern has become one of the leading federal states in the field of renewable energies and offers excellent growth opportunities in this area. It was already the first federal state to be able to cover 100 per cent of its electricity demand from locally produced renewable energies back in 2013. The federal government‘s expansion targets will lead to a considerable need for investment in renewable energies in the coming years in the area of onshore and offshore wind energy plants, photovoltaics and the hydrogen industry. The state‘s locational advantages are perfectly natural: fresh wind from the Baltic, the most hours of sunshine in Germany, favourable geothermal conditions and free space for ideas and investments. The sector already employs a total of around 15,000 people in MecklenburgVorpommern and generates an annual turnover of around 3.7 billion euros. Ecology is a real economic factor in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern! FOCUS: RENEWABLE ENERGIES I Focus: Renewable energies Renewable energies in figures: » 15,000 employees in MV » 7,500 in the wind energy sector » 3.7 billion euros in annual sales » In 2021, around 25,900 wind, solar, hydropower and biomass plants produced a total of 8,661 megawatts of electricity.
Wind turbine in the district of Nordwestmecklenburg
54 The installed wind energy capacity of by now 1,900 wind turbines has risen to more than 3,500 megawatts by the end of 2020. More than 7,500 people are employed in the wind energy sector. 2,700 megawatts come from the use of solar energy plants. With approximately 1,100,000 hectares of arable land, Mecklenburg-Vorpommern also offers vast biomass potential. There are currently 565 biogas and biomass plants in operation in the state. In West Mecklenburg, companies such as KGW Schweriner Maschinen– und Anlagenbau and Sonnenstromfabrik Wismar are using their know-how to boost Germany’s energy transition. There is special potential for Mecklenburg-Vorpommern in further establishing itself as an attractive energy location. The existing regional resources are key to the change in our energy policy. Especially for energy-intensive industries, this represents a clear advantage and supports the decision for West Mecklenburg as a business location. “Come to where the power is” – an important factor for investment in this region. WEMAG battery bank: Europe‘s largest commercial battery storage facility was built in Schwerin in 2014. It compensates for short-term grid fluctuations that can occur with wind and solar energy. In November 2021, the extension to the battery storage facility was also completed. This will double the output from 5 megawatts to 10 megawatts and almost triple the capacity from 5 megawatt hours to 15 megawatt hours. ECOLOGY IS A REAL ECONOMIC FACTOR IN MECKLENBURG-VORPOMMERN I Focus: Renewable energies
WEMAG-Batteriespeicher WEMAG AG‘s largest commercial battery storage facility.
56 The maritime industry in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern combines tradition and future. Over the past 30 years, the transformation processes in the industry have resulted in a diversified corporate structure – from large-scale enterprises and efficient, export-oriented medium-sized companies to small enterprises with strong specialisation. Potential investors can rely on excellently trained specialists in the fields of shipbuilding and boatbuilding, maritime supplies and marine and offshore technology. In addition to shipbuilding, the state is home to maritime suppliers and service providers that focus on the development and production of innovative system solutions. These relate not only to the final product, the ship, but also to maritime equipment and systems for port management and logistics, maritime environmental and safety technology as well as offshore technology and other areas of marine technology. FOCUS: MARITIME INDUSTRY I Focus: Maritime industry
Wismar shipyard
58 The shipyards, suppliers and boat builders in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern provide industrial value creation and have the potential to further expand innovative capacity and create more knowledge-based jobs. By choosing Mecklenburg-Vorpommern as a location for the realisation of ambitious plans in military shipbuilding, the locations on the Baltic take account of the changed security situation in Europe and bear witness to the mutability of the maritime industry in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern. Wismar Shipyard: Shipbuilding has a unique tradition in the Hanseatic city of Wismar: hundreds of fishing, container, expedition and research vessels, the world‘s largest double-decker ferries, tankers and cruise ships have already been launched in the Hanseatic city or left the dock here. New landmarks: Since 2019, a 125-metre-high assembly crane from the Eberswalde-based company Kocks Ardelt has been enthroned on the quay walls of the port, capable of handling a lifting load of up to 75 tonnes. With the 164-metre-high TCC 78000 Liebherr, the Rostock seaport even has the world‘s most powerful harbour crane. It can lift three fully fuelled Airbus A 380s or 1,000 VW Golfs at once. Founded in 1946, the Wismar shipyard was extensively modernised in the 1990s to become the “Compact Shipyard 2000”. The 395-metre-long, 155-metre-wide and 72-metre-high dock hall is one of the largest shipyard halls in Europe. Ships can be assembled here in the subdividable 340-metre-long, 67-metre-wide and 13-metre-deep building dock, regardless of the weather. The integration of steel shipbuilding and equipment already in the panel production, a high degree of I Focus: Maritime industry
pre-fitting of the volume sections (up to 320 tonnes) and block sections (up to 750 tonnes) and the fitting out of the deckhouses in the dock hall are striking technological features of the shipyard. In June 2022, thyssenkrupp Marine Systems announced that it would take over the site and use the hall for the construction of military ships and submarines from 2024 on. thyssenkrupp Marine Systems is one of the world‘s leading naval companies with around 6,500 employees and is active as a system provider in submarine and surface shipbuilding as well as in the field of maritime electronics and safety technology. More than 180 years of history and the constant striving for improvement allow the company to set new standards again and again. The company’s plan (fore-) sees up to 1,500 employees/members of staff working in Wismar. Another strong sign of the shipyard‘s ability to transform is the settlement of the traditional Hamburg-based Eppendorf company. From May 2023, Eppendorf SE will produce laboratory consumables for biomedical research and diagnostics on a former MV Werften Fertigmodule Property GmbH production site in Wismar. The site comprises more than 20,000 m² of usable space with production and storage areas as well as office and ancillary buildings. Depending on the order situation, the plant will be designed for up to 500 employees. Wismar harbour crane
Precision pumps of the company HNP Mikrosysteme GmbH The main drivers for growth in the health industry are demographic change and medical and technical progress. As a federal state with an intact natural environment, tourist attractions and a health industry that has been growing steadily for years, Mecklenburg-Vorpommern has set itself ambitious goals that are being pursued with great commitment. Strong networks and good infrastructure offer ideal conditions for these projects. The expansion of existing companies as well as the settlement of new players in recent years confirm this path. RoweMed and BMP in Parchim, Euroimmun and AqVida in Dassow, the investments of the Swiss Ypsomed company in Schwerin and, most recently, the settlement of an Eppendorf Group high-tech production site in Wismar are just some of the success stories of this industry in West Mecklenburg. The state of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern’s “Health Industry Master Plan 2030” describes the path to becoming one of the leading health states in Germany. Natural conditions such as landscape, sea, chalk, moor, brine and lakes are excellent for a health state. FOCUS: HEALTH ECONOMY
61 Medical technology: With an average increase in gross value added of about 2.7 per cent per year since the year 2000, medical technology has recorded a growth dynamic that is far above average. This is almost four times as high as that of the entire sector. In Schwerin, innovative companies such as TecMed Deutschland GmbH, HNP Mikrosysteme GmbH or Ypsomed Produktion GmbH are on course for growth. Health tourism: With a value added share of 4.0 per cent of the entire sector, the contribution of health tourism in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern is more than twice as high compared to the rest of Germany . Health-promoting food: This sector has a particularly high impulse effect. The production of health-promoting foods generates another approx. 352 million euros of value added from other sectors of the economy in addition to the approx. 137 million euros of direct value added. Health services: West Mecklenburg is an important health location that offers numerous services. The Schwerin Clinic is a maximum care provider and the university campus of the MSH Medical School Hamburg. 330 doctors are on duty here every day. Innovative ideas meet fertile ground. arztkonsultation ak GmbH, founded in Schwerin, has carried out more than one million video consultations with its arztkonsultation.de platform in just two years. SUB-SECTOR WITH PARTICULAR GROWTH POTENTIAL Health economy in figures: » Around 12,300 companies » 156,000 employees in MV » 20.8 per cent of the workforce » over 6 billion euros in gross value added in MV » 4.4 per cent of the total GVA in the state » More than every 7th euro is generated in the health economy Focus: Health economy I
Just under a quarter of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern‘s land area is forest land, 41 per cent of which is now even PEFC-certified. In the future, the proportion of sustainable forest management is to increase even further. The timber and forestry industry in MV accounts for more than 5 per cent of the total economy, and also more than 13 per cent of the manufacturing industry. FOCUS: WOOD AND PLASTICS INDUSTRIES Wood processing of Egger Holzwerkstoffe Wismar GmbH & Co. KG
63 Wood Industry in figures » about 3,000 employees in West Mecklenburg » about 2,000 of them in the Wismar wood cluster » about 13 per cent share of all industrial sales and thus the third largest industrial sector in MV » in 18 companies with more than 50 employees in MV: 2,700 employees, 1.7 billion euros in annual sales Plastics Industry in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern in figures » around 100 companies » around 3,500 employees » approx. 1.6 billion euros in annual sales A local cluster has developed around the wood industry in the Hanseatic city of Wismar. This wood cluster has developed into the largest and most modern wood processing centre in Europe. The direct proximity of the settlement area to the seaport enables the worldwide export of wood commodities? to the international ports. The proximity to the Baltic offers competitive advantages due to favourable costs for importing and exporting wood and wood pre- and finished products. Approximately 1,000 employees work at Egger Holzwerkstoffe Wismar GmbH & Co. KG. 400 people work in one of the most modern single sawmills in Europe at Ilim Nordic Timber GmbH & Co. KG. Here, 80 million boards are manufactured annually and exported all over the world. The plastics industry is also experiencing dynamic development in MecklenburgVorpommern. Double-digit sales growth and rising employment figures are proof of the enormous potential of this future-oriented industry. Mecklenburg-Vorpommern is characterised by small and medium-sized plastics companies. These cover the entire value chain from mechanical engineering and a lively research and development landscape to the production of finished plastic products. Around 100 companies in the state employ approximately 3,500 people and generate around 1.6 billion euros annually. Plastics are a material of the future. The numerous players in the state offer a wide range of preliminary, intermediate and finished products made of plastics. All players are continuously working to increase the supply of recycled products and reduce the energy requirements of manufacturing, thus becoming true pioneers in sustainability. Focus: Wood and plastics industries I
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