www.cluster-thueringen.de/en Create synergies. Use networks. Cluster networks in the German state of Thuringia. Organizational structures and activities in strategic growth areas and industries. Das Netzwerk Thuringian ClusterManagement Hier steht das Netzwerk Content Foreword by the Thuringian Minister for Economy, Labour and Technology, Uwe Höhn, and the Managing Director of the State Development Corporation of Thuringia, Andreas Krey 4 Thuringian Networks – Introduction 5 Thuringian ClusterManagement – Importance, Objectives and Functions 6 Growth Areas and Networks Growth Area – Automotive 8 The automotive thüringen e. V. Network Growth Area – Life Sciences 12 The medways e. V. Network Growth Area – Environmentally Friendly Energies and Energy Storage 16 The SolarInput e. V. Network Growth Area – Engineering 20 The FerMeTh Network (Manufacturing Technology for Metal Machining Thuringia) Growth Area – Plastics and Ceramics 26 The PolymerMat e. V. Kunststoffcluster Thüringen Network Growth Area – Micro- and Nanotechnology 30 The MNT Network (Micro-Nano-Technology Thüringen e. V.) Growth Area – Measurement and Control Technology 36 The ELMUG eG Network (Electronic Measurement and Equipment Technology Thuringia) Growth Area – Optics and Optoelectronics 40 The OptoNet e. V. Network Growth Area – Green Technology 44 Thuringian ClusterManagement (ThCM) Growth Area – Service Robotics 46 The Food Industry 48 The Thüringer Ernährungsnetzwerk e. V. Network The Logistics Industry 52 The Logistik Netzwerk Thüringen e. V. Network ContactOther Industry-Related and Technology-Oriented Networks, Associations and Platforms 58 2 3 Foreword Foreword by the Thuringian Minister for Economy, Foreword by the Thuringian Networks Labour and Technology, Uwe Höhn, and the Managing Director of the State Development Corporation of Thuringia, Andreas Krey Uwe Höhn, Andreas Krey, Thuringian Minister for Economy, Managing Director of Labour and Technology the State Development Corporation of Thuringia Dear ladies and gentlemen, Dear Readers, the Free State of Thuringia is one of the centers of economic growth in Germany. Reasons for this are: good In the last 15 years, Thuringia’s cluster landscape has experienced outstanding development. Among the location assets, the proximity of business and science, skilled professionals, our traditional spirit of innova- very first networks formed here were the automotive thüringen, PolymerMat, medways and OptoNet Net- tion and the strength of our industry. Thuringia has a proportion of the manufacturing industry higher than works who represent major players in the traditional growth areas of automobile, plastics, life sciences and in all other eastern German states and is even above the average of the western states. In proportion to the optics/opto-electronics. Also boasting years of network experience are the MNT and SolarInput Associations number of inhabitants, we have more industrial companies than in Saxony, Bavaria and Baden-Württem- which represent companies in the micro- and nanotechnology and solar sectors. Additonal networks have berg. It behooves us to make use of this unique potential. In order to do so, we need to establish cross-bor- been added to this list during the last few years; like the Thüringer Logistik Netzwerk and the food industry der cooperation in our industries. network ELMUG for electronic measurement and equipment technology, and the FerMeTh network for the engineering sector. More and more companies recognize that they can leverage their growth and innovation potential only through cooperation and can only thus remain competitive, in particular in the face of market globalization. Although the technologies represented by these networks are very diverse and their structures and key This is one of the reasons why businesses invest into sustainable network institutions and press ahead activities different, they all have one thing in common – the bundling of sector-specific interests of indus- with cluster development. try and research in order to successfully develop Thuringia as a technology center even further. To achie- ve this, these network organizations have developed a wide spectrum of tasks, including the handling of The Thuringian Ministry for Economy, Labour and Technology supports these initiatives. In cooperation with strategic topics affecting technology development, organizing expert events and participating in trade the State Development Corporation of Thuringia (LEG Thüringen), we have established Thuringian Cluster fairs, along with network building on an international level. But these networks also have a portfolio of Management (ThCM) as a service and information center. It serves to support the cluster institutions that sevices for their members – such as mediating cooperative efforts and initiating projects, developing ju- strengthen the Thuringian economy as well as to promote network building between companies and re- nior staff and location marketing. search facilities. There is also an active exchange between these networks as well. Here the focus is on expert dialogue Since September 2012, ThCM supports close cooperations with other networks. Together, they promote the unlocking new perspectives for cross-industry cooperation. With their professional expertise, the net- strategic-conceptual development of the promising growth segments. Currently the establishment of the work offices deliver tangible and individual support as mediators in this process. But these network clus- Network for Renewable Energies is being prepared. Apart from project and network activities, one of the ters also cooperate closely in answering questions about securing skilled personnel or international mar- core areas of ThCM is facilitating roadmaps for growth segments and their implementation. keting efforts. With the present booklet, we would like to offer you an overview of ThCM and other active Thuringian sec- They have been supported in these efforts since 2012 by Thuringian ClusterManagement (ThCM) which has tor networks. They are central, efficient and committed regional actors and therefore right at the heart of created a structure for advancing and promoting joint cluster development in Thuringia’s growth areas. Ac- the Thuringian cluster. Furthermore, the present handout aims to highlight the potential links for Thurin- tivities such as internationalization, securing skilled personnel and location marketing strengthen exis- gian businesses and other network actors in order to help them find and explore different possibilities for ting initiatives, cross-sectional and cross-cluster dialogue and an exchange of knowledge. joint projects and cooperations. And of course, it should encourage you to develop a stronger role within those networks. This editon of the cluster brochure provides an up-to-date overview of existing networks, their key activi- ties and network goals. As such, it represents an initial orientation guide for companies, scientists, but We hope you can enjoy and benefit from this work. also politicians, associations and societies. Sincerely yours, Uwe Höhn Andreas Krey On behalf of the networks, Thuringian Minister for Economy, Managing Director of the State Development Dr. Klaus Schindler, Managing Director of OptoNet e. V. Labour and Technology Corporation of Thuringia 4 5 Thuringian ClusterManagement: Importance, Objectives Thuringian ClusterManagement and Functions. Shaping a future-oriented economic development ThCM is active in the following growth areas and industries: To develop and support existing and new network clusters in Functions of ThCM include. a targeted way, the Thuringian Ministry for Economics, Labour and Technology (TMWAT) set up Thuringian ClusterManagement (ThCM) at the State Development Corporation of Thuringia. The ThCM is the product of a recommendation in the “Trend Atlas Thü- 1 | Conducting Roadmap Processes 4 | Expanding and Deepening the Network ringen 2020”1 (for a future-oriented economic development of the German state of Thuringia) which was compiled by Roland Berger Together with relavant players, we put together concepts, so-cal- We support intensifying and expanding the networking activities of Strategy Consultants. led roadmaps, for growth area development. These roadmaps de- those involved in, and especially between, potential areas of growth fine goals, measures and milestones. The starting point for these and business activity. This includes the interfaces with regional, na- Automotive Life Sciences Environmentally Targeted Development of Growth Areas Friendly Energies roadmaps are the market potential studies as well as the regional re- tional and international insitutes and government administration of- and Energy Storage search and innovation strategies for intelligent specialization in Thu- fices. We assume tasks of the networks that can be dealt with more The ThCM is a networked system that: ringia – the RIS3 Thüringen. We analyze the development in growth effectively together. areas using our own monitoring system. New developments and > strengthens existing network clusters and initiates new changes in the business environment are taken into account by 5 | Using Expert Panels networks if needed in growth areas, constantly updating the roadmaps. This roadmap process is coor- > supports the visibility of Thuringia’s clusters and networks, dinated and mediated by our growth area managers. For us, these We offer communication platforms in form of expert panels that > increases the innovative power and know-how of