All aboard for innovation

Aerospace industry

The capital region is one of Germany’s top hubs for aviation technology. Engine development and manufacture, lightweight aircraft construction, and aircraft maintenance and repair are the key skills of the companies based here, among them global players such as Rolls-Royce Deutschland, MTU Maintenance, and Lufthansa.

While the region is the birthplace of German aviation, it is also the sector’s future – the development and use of unmanned aircraft systems, the manufacture of small satellites and New Space all driving innovation forward.

Logistics

Berlin-Brandenburg is at the intersection of a trans-European transport network of rail, road, air and inland shipping traffic. Dachser, DPD, Fiege, GEFCO, Kühne + Nagel, Rhenus, and Rieck are just some of the logistics companies operating out of the Airport Region. Over 100 larger logistics companies with around 6,400 employees have established offices here, especially in the central freight centers (GVZ). Overall, the industry employs more than 200,000 people in the capital region. The logistics companies also benefit from the industry knowledge of the region’s scientific institutions – such as the logistics departments at TU Berlin and the Wildau Technical University of Applied Sciences.

Automotive

Almost 90 percent of all automotive manufacturers in the neighboring central and eastern European countries are a day’s drive from the capital region Berlin-Brandenburg. More than 200 automotive companies with around 21,000 employees are already located in the region, alongside numerous research and development institutions. Huge OEMs (original equipment manufacturers), among them Mercedes-Benz, BMW and Tesla, work alongside global leaders in the supplier industry. Production covers accessory parts to the development and manufacture of complete vehicles. There are also numerous small and medium-sized companies that have made their mark on this field.

Rail transport technology

Berlin-Brandenburg enjoys global prestige as a traditional location for rail transport technology, and with over 100 companies is one of Europe’s most important hubs. Over 20,700 people work in the strongly export-oriented sector in Berlin-Brandenburg, representing all links in the value chain. An extensive network of supplier businesses, including highly specialized SMEs, alongside leading system manufacturers like Bombardier, Siemens and Stadler, has been established here.