Well-known foreign companies in NRW
Every year, more and more multinational enterprises decide to invest in North Rhine-Westphalia. According to the ORBIS Europe company database, around 22,000 foreign companies have already established business operations in NRW. This equates to one fifth of all multinational enterprises in Germany as a whole. Here you can find an overview of the multinational enterprises in NRW.
International companies in NRW at a glance
Netherlands / 4,100 companies
e.g. Bassell Polyolefine GmbH, Gazelle, Picnic FCA, Primagas Energie, Refresco Deutschland, Seacon Logistics, Suntjens Süsswaren, 247 TailorSteel
UK / 1,800 companies
e.g. BP, Computacenter, Dyson, Lush, Vodafone
Switzerland / 1,600 companies
e.g. Geberit Keramik, Lindt & Sprüngli, Lonza, Odlo Logistik, Oerlikon, Rolex
USA / 1,600 companies
e.g. 3M, Amazon, Cargill, FedEx, Ford, Medtronic, QVC, TK Maxx, UPS
France / 1,100 companies
e.g. Air Liquide, Bonduelle, Decathlon, L‘Oréal, Peugeot, Renault, Saint Gobain Rigips, Teleperformance, Total
PR China* / 1,000 companies
e.g. Hisense, Huawei, Minmetals, WISCO, XCMG, ZCC Cutting Tools, ZTE
Austria / 900 companies
e.g. Benteler, Hasco Hasenclever, Müllers Mühle, Papstar, Strabag, Voestalpine
Türkiye / 850 companies
e.g. Efes Deutschland, Gökbora, Karaca Porzellan, Kässbohrer/Tirsan, Sarar, Tadim
Japan* / 600 companies
e.g. Alps Electric, Asahi Kasei, Canon, Fujifilm, Hitachi, Mitsubishi, Mitsui, Toshiba, Toyota
Italy / 580 companies
e.g. Barilla, Calzedonia Germany, Diesel Deutschland, Elettronica, R.D.M. Arnsberg, TX Logistik
Sweden / 430 companies
e.g. Atlas Copco, Ericsson, Ikea, SANDVIK Tooling Deutschland, Securitas
Poland* / 360 companies
e.g. Amica International, Draftex Automotive, FLT-Wälzlager, Hoesch Design, Kronos
Denmark / 260 companies
e.g. Arla Foods, Grundfos, ISS Facility Services, NKT, Only Stores Germany
Israel / 160 companies
e.g. BTN Baran Telecom Networks, Constab Polyolefin Addivtives, Calorplast Wärmetechnik, Diva Fashions, Polytex Technologies
Finland / 130 companies
e.g. Kemira, Metso, Outokumpu Nirosta, Stora Enso Paper, UPM Kymmene/Rhein Papier
India / 110 companies
e.g. Ashok Leyland, Bharat Forge, Mahindra & Mahindra, Tata Steel Germany, Wipro Business
Norway / 100 companies
e.g. Hydro Aluminium, MHWirth, Statkraft Markets, SuperOffice, Tomra Systems
Korea* / 60 companies
e.g. Bixolon, Clark Europe, CTR Europe, Doosan Lentjes, GigaTera EU, EH Med, Hwacheon Machinery Europe, Seegene Germany
Taiwan* / 100 companies
e.g. Asus Computer, Benq Deutschland, QCG Computer
* own investigation
Sources: ORBIS Europe business database, November 2022; NRW.Global Business GmbH
Outstanding investment projects in NRW
Alongside the many compelling economic and infrastructure-related arguments in favor of North Rhine-Westphalia, NRW stands out on account of its cosmopolitan atmosphere and hospitality. Cultural diversity is a defining feature of NRW. For example, Cologne has a broad-based Chinese infrastructure (medical professionals, service providers, schools etc.). Over the past 150 years of lively economic and cultural exchange with Japan, Europe’s third largest Japanese community has emerged in the city of Düsseldorf. Due to these favorable conditions, foreign investors feel at home in NRW, both culturally and economically.
Plug
Plug from the US state of New York specializes in hydrogen and fuel cell technology. To support the transformation to a climate-neutral economy, the company has created an entire hydrogen ecosystem: Plug develops and manufactures fuel cells, supplies green hydrogen, storage solutions, fueling systems and complete infrastructures. In 2022, the company established its European service and logistics headquarters in the Port of Duisburg. In the future, Plug will manage repair, test and maintenance orders here on 13,000 square meters. A hub for fuel cells, spare parts and electrolysers is also being created. The electricity will come from renewable energy sources – for this purpose, Plug is equipping numerous port buildings with photovoltaic systems in cooperation with Duisport.
Asahi Kasei
The Japanese technology group with almost 40,000 employees worldwide has been operating its European business from Düsseldorf since 2016 and has since recorded steady growth at the location. At the newly built European headquarters in Düsseldorf's industrial port, Asahi Kasei combines sales, marketing, logistics, and research and development for various product areas. The focus is on highly specialized plastics for the automotive industry. In addition to modern office and meeting rooms, the new headquarters has a showroom where materials for the car of the future are presented, such as sustainable microfiber materials for seat trim and innovative foam products.
SKYRORA
The aerospace startup, based in Edinburgh, Scotland, develops and produces launch vehicles to carry small satellites into the Earth’s orbit. SKYRORA also operates a subsidiary in the Ukrainian city of Dnipro, where around 100 engineers develop efficient propulsion systems and innovative materials for rocket technology. In order to operate closer to the European market with its technologies, SKYRORA is settling in the immediate vicinity of Paderborn Airport to set up a research and development center. Here, the startup will operate a 3D printer that uses innovative technology to process metals and materials for the development of new rockets. In addition, the company is cooperating with the Chair of Materials Science at the University of Paderborn to create points of contact in the field of innovative 3D printing.
Xiaomi
Chinese technology giant Xiaomi launched its first German sales office in Düsseldorf in 2019. In the meantime, the company, which is one of the largest manufacturers of smartphones and smart home devices in the world, has moved into its new German headquarters at the site and opened its first Mi Store in the state capital. Since then, Xiaomi has risen to become Germany's third most important smartphone brand in just one year. Further growth in North Rhine-Westphalia is planned.
