Multinational enterprises in NRW
Top location for foreign companies
Every year, more and more multinational enterprises decide to invest in North Rhine-Westphalia. According to the ORBIS company database, more than 25,000 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 / 4,300 companies
e.g. Bassell Polyolefine GmbH, Gazelle, Picnic FCA, Primagas Energie, Refresco Deutschland, Seacon Logistics, Suntjens Süsswaren, 247 TailorSteel
USA / 1,970 companies
e.g. 3M, Amazon, Electronic Arts, FedEx, Ford, Medtronic, Microsoft, QVC, UPS
UK / 1,840 companies
e.g. BP, Computacenter, Dyson, Lush, Vodafone
Switzerland / 1,800 companies
e.g. Geberit Keramik, Lindt & Sprüngli, Lonza, Odlo Logistik, Oerlikon, Rolex
France / 1,300 companies
e.g. Air Liquide, AXA, Decathlon, L‘Oréal, Peugeot, Renault, Saint Gobain Rigips, Teleperformance, Total
Türkiye / 1,200 companies
e.g. Efes Deutschland, Gökbora, Karaca Porzellan, Kässbohrer/Tirsan, Sarar, Tadim
PR China* / 1,000 companies
e.g. Bank of China, Huawei, Minmetals, Sany, XCMG, ZCC Cutting Tools, Xiaomi, ZTE
Austria / 870 companies
e.g. Benteler, Hasco Hasenclever, Müllers Mühle, Papstar, Strabag, Voestalpine
Italy / 670 companies
e.g. Barilla, Calzedonia Germany, Diesel Deutschland, Elettronica, R.D.M. Arnsberg, TX Logistik
Japan* / 650 companies
e.g. Alps Electric, Asahi Kasei, Canon, Fujifilm, Hitachi, Mitsubishi, Mitsui, Toshiba, Toyota
Sweden / 530 companies
e.g. Atlas Copco, Ericsson, Ikea, SANDVIK Tooling Deutschland, Securitas
Poland* / 400 companies
e.g. Amica International, Draftex Automotive, FLT-Wälzlager, Hoesch Design, Kronos
Denmark / 270 companies
e.g. Arla Foods, Grundfos, ISS Facility Services, NKT, Only Stores Germany
Israel / 170 companies
e.g. Albaad Deutschland, BTN Baran Telecom Networks, Constab Polyolefin Addivtives, Calorplast Wärmetechnik, Polytex Technologies
Norway / 150 companies
e.g. Hydro Aluminium, MHWirth, Statkraft Markets, SuperOffice, Tomra Systems
India / 140 companies
e.g. Bharat Forge, Mahindra & Mahindra, Rain Carbon Germany, Tata Steel Germany, Wipro Business
Taiwan* / 100 companies
e.g. Asus Computer, Benq Deutschland, QCG Computer
Finland / 90 companies
e.g. Kemira, Konekranes, Metso, Outokumpu Nirosta, Stora Enso Paper
Korea* / 60 companies
e.g. Bixolon, Clark Europe, CTR Europe, Doosan Lentjes, GigaTera EU, EH Med, Hwacheon Machinery Europe, Seegene Germany
* own investigation
Sources: ORBIS Business database, September 2026; 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.
Aptiv
Aptiv was originally founded as a General Motors subsidiary in the U.S. The company develops technologies for the future of mobility, including driver-assistance systems, software-based vehicle architectures and solutions for electromobility and automated driving. With its European technology and development center in Wuppertal, Aptiv is a key driver of innovation in North Rhine-Westphalia's automotive and mobility industry. Its ongoing investments in research and development, as well as the recent expansion of its connector manufacturing facilities, underscore the company’s long-term commitment to the region and strengthen the state’s innovative capacity.
TRICOR Packaging & Logistics
As part of the Japanese Rengo Group, TRICOR Packaging & Logistics is investing 170 million euros in one of Europe's most modern plants for heavy-duty corrugated cardboard. The Goch/Weeze site will create approximately 200 new jobs. The production facility combines modern manufacturing technologies with resource efficiency and sustainability. Through this investment, TRICOR is strengthening North Rhine-Westphalia's position as an industrial hub and increasing the capacity for sustainable packaging solutions in international trade.
ZOHO
The Indian software company ZOHO is one of the world’s leading providers of cloud-based business applications. ZOHO's solutions support companies in their digital transformation, collaboration and growth. With the opening of its German headquarters in Essen, ZOHO is expanding its presence in the German and European markets. Approximately 55 employees are based there and support companies in their digital transformation. ZOHO is also bringing future-oriented digital skills to North Rhine-Westphalia, thereby strengthening the range of innovative software solutions available to regional small and medium-sized businesses as well as international companies based in the region.
