Hidden Champions, Pioneers and Market Leaders

Insights into Mecklenburg-Vorpommern’s Industries

The state of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern (MV) is home to unique businesses and manufacturers from various industries. There is great potential for economic growth in this region on the Baltic Sea in northern Germany. With fully developed industrial sites, access to specialised human resources as well as research facilities, MV is the most investor-friendly region in Germany. Invest in the region of the future, where success stories are waiting to be created.

Many of the world’s biggest cruise ships are to be manufactured in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern. In 2016, Genting Group – a rapidly growing international travel brand that is diversifying into ocean and river cruises and yacht and shipbuilding – bought three shipyards in Wismar, Rostock and Stralsund at a combined cost of €230.6m. Thereafter, MV WERTEN was established, and an extensive €160m investment programme has reinforced confidence in all three sites. Among other exciting plans, MV WERTEN proposes to launch the Global-Max cruiser, the world’s biggest cruise ship in terms of passenger capacity, measuring over 340m long and 45m wide. It is due to materialise by 2020. The Crystal Bach and Crystal Mahler are already under construction, and the Crystal Debussy and Crystal Ravel will be the third and fourth of these Rhine Class of cruise ships, all offering a true luxury experience on European rivers.

“The Academy provides a platform for sharing the company’s practical expertise with the region through vocational and continuing training, as well as courses for professionals and managers.”

In addition to cruise ships, MV is home to the producer of the world’s largest marine propellers. MMG (Mecklenburger Metallguss), the global leader in marine propellers weighing more than 88 US tons (80 metric tons), was founded in 1875 in the idyllic town of Waren. Container ships of the Maersk E-Class, for example, as well as maritime icons like the world-famous transatlantic ocean liner Queen Mary 2 use propellers designed and manufactured in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern. Liebherr, one of the world’s largest manufacturers of construction equipment, built a new facility on the Baltic Sea at Rostock in 2005. The company has been developing and producing ships, mobile harbours, and offshore cranes in MV. The Rostock location offers invaluable logistical advantages for the worldwide distribution of cranes and other large items of equipment such as reachstackers and components for container cranes. In addition, the enterprise has enriched the region by founding the Liebherr Academy in Rostock in 2009.

The Academy provides a platform for sharing the company’s practical expertise with the region through vocational and continuing training, as well as courses for professionals and managers. Furthermore, in 2013, Nestlé Germany made the largest investment in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern since the region was founded, highlighting the great potential for manufacturing industries. With an investment of €220m and potential production capacity of roughly two billion Nescafé Dolce Gusto capsules per year once the expansion is complete, the new Schwerin factory is one of the largest and most modern production facilities in Europe. Innovation and know-how are continuously increasing in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern In March this year, ZIM Flugsitz GmbH – a manufacturer of lightweight, high-strength aircraft seats for the economy, premium economy and business classes – opened a new plant at the Industriepark Schwerin. In its first phase of development, the 7,500-square-metre facility will produce around 20,000 aircraft seats annually and employ 80 workers.

The proximity to the Port of Hamburg and an aircraft manufacturer located in Hamburg convinced ZIM to open the new production in MV. The aircraft seats are custom designed according to airlines’ requirements. Founded in 2009, the company has made a name for itself among international airlines as a supplier of products with “Made in Germany” quality. About 65,000 aircraft seats manufactured by ZIM Flugsitz are currently in use in airplanes worldwide. Automotive companies located in MV focus on innovative technologies like power electronics for electric and hybrid drives.

Process, energy and material efficiency not only protect the environment but also contribute to sustainable cost reduction. For example, Lear Corporation GmbH in Wismar specialises in producing plastic electronic connectors and has a strong background in “green” manufacturing and lightweight design. Webasto, a global market leader from Neubrandenburg, specialises in heating, cooling and roof systems for vehicles. Another key player in the region is ZF TRW Airbag Systems GmbH, which develops innovative products in the passive vehicle safety segment, including seat belts with integrated airbags and curtain airbags for windows. These have taken passenger safety to a new level. The company has received multiple awards, including the Ludwig-Erhard Prize for performance and competitiveness for its highly effective integrated management system and outstanding market position. Prospects for future progress in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern

Headquartered in Burgdorf, Switzerland, medical technology company Ypsomed will soon set up a base in Schwerin, Mecklenburg-Vorpommern. Ypsomed Group develops, produces and sells injection systems for administering liquid medication. These are used by self-medicating diabetes patients and in other therapeutic areas. Simon Michel, CEO of Ypsomed, says “We invest around 10% of our turnover in research and development while crafting a keen culture of innovation so that the company can continue to be so successful in the future.” He states that the benefits offered by Mecklenburg-Vorpommern compared to other locations include a sufficient number of fully developed sites embedded in modern industrial parks, access to qualified staff and a good investment climate.

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