Business location NRW – the heart of Europe beats here

NRW is not only Germany's economic engine, but also one of the most economically attractive locations in Europe. With its high population density, strong purchasing power and numerous high-turnover companies, the state offers companies from all over the world the ideal environment for establishing themselves in the German and European markets. Renowned trade fair locations also make NRW one of Europe's largest business centers.

What makes NRW stand out?

Its status as a key business location!  ​

Meike Schmidt, Managing Partner of Lumberg Holding, reveals why NRW is the perfect place for hidden champions to thrive. Discover how NRW fosters innovation, growth and global success for businesses of all sizes. Join the beat.

What makes NRW unique as a business location

NRW is not only the most populous federal state, but also the economic heart and an international hub in the center of Europe - in short, "Europe's heartbeat". It owes this status to its central location on the European continent, the high population density and exceptional economic performance.

Economic structure in NRW: mix of corporations and SMEs 

A special feature that contributes significantly to the economic success of NRW is the mix of large corporations and small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). This has resulted in a broad and attractive market that offers international companies numerous B2B customers and cooperation partners. Among others, the business location NRW is home to:

NRW's driving force – the industrial sector

NRW – home to many German hidden champions

Many hidden champions are based in NRW. They are NRW's hidden treasures: companies little known to the public and market leaders who have achieved a top global position in their industry. These small and medium-sized enterprises are excellent cooperation partners for the development of products, in production processes, as well as in service or research – making them magnets for international partners. In NRW, you will find no less than 690 secret world market leaders, accounting for almost 30 percent of all hidden champions in Germany. They include companies such as Harting, a specialist in connectivity technology, and HELLA, one of the world's leading automotive suppliers.

One special feature that distinguishes NRW's hidden champions is that they are often family-run companies, and many have a long tradition. And NRW as a business location is home to some of the most powerful among them – more than one in four family-run companies in all of Germany that generates at least 50 million euros annually is based here. NRW's largest family-owned companies include Aunde, Claas and Vorwerk.

NRW: One of the largest trade fair centers in the world

In addition to a strong economic performance, NRW provides the best conditions for international trade and exchange. With four internationally renowned trade fair locations in Düsseldorf, Cologne, Essen and Dortmund, the business location NRW is one of the largest trade fair centers in the world, surpassing Germany's top locations Hanover and Frankfurt/Main as well as the world's most important trade fair cities Milan, Guangzhou, Paris, Chicago, Barcelona or Valencia. More than 100 leading international trade fairs such as anuga, boot, drupa, MEDICA or photokina attract over six million visitors each year on an indoor exhibition area of over 700,000 square meters. They therefore create ideal opportunities for companies to expand their networks with key contacts from a wide range of industries. 

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