EN IT Systems, Software, and Artificial Intelligence Brief Industrial Profile of the West Palatinate Region 1 2 Foreword Dear readers, Rhineland-Palatinate is a forward- looking industrial location with a business-friendly climate. We provide the critical hard and soft location fac- tors, which are equally as attractive to companies, as they are to employees and investors. With its position in the middle of Eu- rope, right next to important sales markets, our federal state is attrac- tive for SMEs, as well as for industry. Companies from many sectors col- laborate very closely in many cases with scientific institutions. Nothing is too far away. On top of that, there is the family-friendly and pleasant surrounding area with a high quality of life. The West Palatinate’s position, bordering Germany, France and Benelux, with its international transport connections and a very good supply of skilled work- ers make the region attractive for many companies. With a high density of universities, research institutes and scientific facilities in the relevant topic areas, the West Palatinate is a well-developed techno- logical location . The West Palatinate is eager to welcome you! Dr. Volker Wissing Minister for Economics, Transportation, Agriculture and Viticulture and Deputy Minister President of the State of Rhineland-Palatinate 3 The Federal State of Rhineland-Palatinate Rhineland-Palatinate is situated in Germany´s dynamic southwest, in the immediate vicinity of France, Belgium and Luxembourg. It also boasts excellent connections for anyone wanting to develop worldwide business relationships, thanks to the neighbouring Rhine-Main area being the European economic centre that it is. Position in Europe Area: 19.854 km2² Inhabitants: 4.1 million Important industry sectors: Finland · Chemistry and pharmacy · Healthcare · Automotive industry Norway · Metal processing Russia Sweden · Mechanical engineering Estonia · Nutrition Latvia Lithuania Denmark Belarus Ireland Great Britain Poland The Netherlands Germany Belgium Ukraine Rhineland-Palatinate Luxembourg Czech Republic West Palatinate Slovakia Austria Hungary France Rumania Switzerland Slovenia Croatia Bosnia & Herzegovina Serbia Bulgaria Monte- Kosovo Italy negro Macedonia Spain Albania Portugal Greece 99,7 7 percent of all companies in the Rhineland- Every seventh person employed in Rhineland- Palatinate are medium-sized. Thanks to Palatinate works in a high-tech field. Because of this, their flexibility, they react quickly to global the federal state is in national top position. challenges. 4 An excellent business location … Rhineland-Palatinate has rapid transportation routes by The attractiveness of the federal state in terms of edu- land, by water and by air. This saves companies time and cation is based on more than 40 research institutes and money. The proximity to the hub that is Frankfurt airport, universities, as well as a first degree free-of charge. Both efficient motorways, the European high-speed train net- the university education and dual training system with work and the position on the Rhine, the most important well-educated specialists and master craftsmen are re- waterway in Europe, all collectively form the backbone of nowned worldwide. an exceptionally well-connected transport system. And finally, a word on mentality: Rhineland-Palatinates The innovative, overwhelmingly middle-sized economy are cosmopolitan, sincere and uncomplicated. Visitors cooperates closely with the sciences and is internation- appreciate the hospitality of the Rhineland-Palatinate; ally in the lead. The combination of global players like with its abundant culture and delights, it is a favourite BASF, Daimler, Schott and Boehringer Ingelheim with holiday region for many people from near and far. middle-sized world market leaders is unique. “Continuouseconomicgrowth,ahighexportquote,aswell asexceptionallyattractivehousingandqualityoflife: Withitshealthymedium-scaleeconomicstructures,the Rhineland-PalatinateisoneofGermany’sleadingbusiness locations.” Daniela Schmitt State Secretary of the Ministry for Economics, Transportation, Agriculture and Viticulture … and a perfect environment for innovations. The Rhineland-Palatinate offers world-class quality in · targeted strengthening and promotion of particularly promising fields of business and science. infrastructure and competence development in Therefore, the state government focuses on the areas research and development, in which the competitive advantages are greatest and · support for ambitious research and technology unique selling points are particularly pronounced. With projects, a view to leveraging the opportunities that come from global mega trends, as well as the newest market-lead- · creating the best starting conditions for innovative ing and technological developments. start-ups, · ensuring access to new research for all companies, The identified potential areas are consistently promoted, as well as e.g. by: · the offer of research, innovation and technology promotion from a single source. 2 57,6 In the Germany-wide satisfaction ranking of the founders, Rhine- percent export quote in Rhineland-Palatinate land-Palatinate is in second place among the 16 federal states in 2018 (Germany 50.3 %) 5 The West Palatinate The West Palatinate region is situated in the Southwest of Germany in the federal state of Rhineland-Palatinate. Besides the regional centre of Kaiserslautern, it includes the independent cities of Pirmasens and Zweibrücken, as well as the districts Kaiserslautern, Südwestpfalz, Kusel and Donnersberg. It borders France in the south, Saarland in the west, the Rhine-Main area in the northeast and the Rhine-Neckar metropolitan region to the east. In comparison to its neigh- bours, the West Palatinate region offers companies particularly attractive locations in terms of price and accessibility, favourable conditions for investors and for employees, employment in future-oriented industries and an environment with a high quality of life. 520.000 50.000 132 Around 520,000 people live in the Americans live in and around Kaiserslautern Citizens from 132 various West Palatinate overall. Practically (“K-Town”) as the biggest American nations live and work in West though, it is closer to 570,000, community outside of the USA. Palatinate. because ... 6 Traffic and accessibility Western Palatinate would experience a noticeable pop- ulation decline in the coming years. In recent decades, Whether on one of the numerous motorways that cross however, especially in the centres, things have devel- the region or the good local and long-distance rail con- oped much more favourably than previously feared. nections, the West Palatinate can always be quickly and easily reached. Special feature: from Kaiserslautern, the The official population statistics don’t even include metropolis of Paris is only about 150 minutes away by the some 50,000 Americans, who have been pres- train. More importantly: the biggest German airport, ent in the Western Palatinate for 70 years, as well as the international hub Frankfurt/Main may be reached members of NATO countries and their families. The by car in under an hour. More regional airports in the US-American community is the largest outside the area round out this enticing offer. USA, which is reflected in a traditionally high level of English language proficiency among the local pop- ulation. This presence, the large number of foreign Labour market, population students, foreign companies and their employees and the border with France with its numerous cross- In recent years, the number of employees subject to border commuters all make the Western Palatinate social security contributions has increased significantly an especially international region. to around 165,000 in 2018. At the same time, the num- ber of unemployed people has continued to decrease. Due to demographic change, it was forecast that the Position in Germany 100 km Frankfurt/Main Rhine Mainz BELGIUM LUXEM- Hahn BOURG GERMANY Luxembourg Kaiserslautern Mannheim Saarbrücken Zweibrücken Pirmasens Metz Travel by train to Kaiserslautern Karlsruhe Mannheim 40 Min. Direction Paris Frankfurt 90 Min. Paris 150 Min. FRANCE Stuttgart Travel by car via A6 Mannheim – Saarbrücken A63 Kaiserslautern – Mainz/Frankfurt A6/A62 Trier/Luxembourg Strasbourg Travel by aeroplane via State borders Saarbrücken Airport approx. 50 km Motorway Frankfurt-Hahn Airport approx. 50 km Waterway Frankfurt Rhine-Main Airport approx.100 km ICE route 8 20.000.000 international airports An estimated 20 million people live within a two-hour drive less than a two-hour drive away. around the West Palatinate. 7 Economy and Technology The West Palatinate has traditionally been rooted in in- The conversion of formerly military and industrial are- dustrial production. Machine and apparatus construc- as or areas used by the railway has also played a spe- tion, automotive suppliers, footwear and leather goods, cial part in this transformation. There, with the sup- chemicals, plastics and last but not least, building ma- port of the state, innovative new uses for these areas terials still characterise the economic structure of the have emerged. The diversity of the economic structure region to this day, which itself is strongly supported together with the cooperation of the players in indus- by SMEs. The US military is also a significant economic try-specific networks has left the regional economy factor. unscathed by international turbulence. Agriculture also avails itself of modern production