The Senator for Economics, Labor and Europe, Kristina Vogt from Bremen, recently visited the Zuid-Holland region in the Netherlands along with the top officials of Applus+ Laboratories. Other major companies with bases in Bremen such as OHB, Arianespace, Airbus, Materialise and ZARM joined on this trip. The aim was to intensify cooperation between two important regions in the field of space, creating a European network for innovation. More than 80% of all space activities in the Netherlands take place in the province of Zuid-Holland, with more than 70 active space agents.
Applus+ Managing Director in Germany, Jan Seidel, stated that "the visit was not only important to establish relations with the space community in the province of Zuid Holland, but also to foster links with space partners in Bremen".
But why is Bremen considered ‘the city of space’?
More than 100 years ago, a pioneer called Henrich Focke started to build aircraft in Bremen and later, large aerospace technology companies were founded, such as ERNO (Northern Development Ring). Gradually, Bremen established itself as a leading city for aerospace research and industry. Today, Bremen’s aerospace industry has more than 140 companies and 20 institutes, employing 12,000 people and with a turnover of more than 4 billion euros a year.
Companies such as Airbus, Arianespace, OHB, Materialise and Rheinmetall Electronics are based in Bremen and export their products all over the world, giving the city a large international reach. Flagship projects such as the Galileo satellites and Ariane launchers bear the "Made in Bremen" stamp of quality.
One of the most important international trade shows in the sector, the Space Tech Expo Europe, is held in Bremen, too.
The focus on young talent has been one of the keys to success. Faced with a shortage of qualified personnel, Bremen's universities have provided a steady flow of highly qualified graduates. There is a wide range of degrees and careers, which helps to attract and retain talented young people in the city.
Bremen also enjoys a privileged location, with its international airport, major port facilities in Bremerhaven and excellent communications to Hamburg, Germany’s second-largest city behind Berlin.