MV-Magazin auf Englisch

Special issue 2018

MECKLENBURG-WEST POMERANIA

Join us on a journey through Mecklenburg-West Pomerania!

See everything our state has to offer and find out what makes people here satisfied and successful.

A dream come true!

EDITORIAL

WEL

Best of Northern Germany

Dear readers, When I’m asked what makes the state different, I like to talk about the down-to-earth, hard-working, creative people we have in Mecklenburg-West Pomerania. About the traditions we preserve, the inquisitive spirit and the drive for innovation – together, we look forwards. This togetherness helps drive the state forward economically, culturally and as a society. The magazine you are holding right now invites you to experience our state for yourself. Mecklenburg-West Pomerania, with its magnificent Baltic Sea coast and over 1,000 inland lakes.

Mecklenburg-West Pomerania, the place that gives you space for your business ideas and investment. The state government and many local players in business, education and culture at the district, city and municipal level are your reliable partners for shared future prospects. Get to know the people who walk the path of cooperation and success with us. I would be delighted if we could inspire you to grow with us.

We have 23,210 km² of stunning scenery and many vibrant cities.

At 1,943 km we have Germany’s longest coastline.

There are 1.6 million people living in our state.

At 926 km², the island of Rügen is Germany’s largest island.

We get up to 2,000 hours of sunshine a year. The island of Usedom is the sunniest region in Germany.

Welcome to Mecklenburg-West Pomerania – Best of Northern Germany.

Happy reading!

Manuela Schwesig

CREDITS Publisher Mecklenburg-West Pomerania State Chancellery Mecklenburg-West Pomerania State Marketing Team Peter Kranz (responsible press officer under the law) Schloßstraße 2–4, D-19053 Schwerin Phone: +49 385 588 1095 Fax: +49 385 588 990 095 E-Mail: info@mv-tut-gut.de www.mecklenburg-vorpommern.de

Best of Northern Germany This product is supported by the European Regional Development Fund.

Editorial Mecklenburg-West Pomerania state marketing team, A&B One Kommunikationsagentur GmbH Design A&B One Kommunikationsagentur GmbH Printing Optimal Media GmbH Print run 2,000 Publication date October 2018 2

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Note on generic masculine form: For reasons of space and readability, the generic masculine form is used in sections where mixed-gender groups of people are referred to.

Photos: TMV/Bernt Hoffmann (cover); Mecklenburg-West Pomerania State Chancellery; iStockphoto

Minister-President of the state of Mecklenburg-West Pomerania

FAC T S A N D F I G U R E S A B O U T O U R S TAT E

COME

to Mecklenburg-West Pomerania!

65 certified spas and retreats invite guests to enjoy a little rest and relaxation. These include 7 seaside spas, 4 climatic spas and 26 retreats.

At our 7 public universities, students can choose from over 300 courses. We are home to around 40,000 students from over 40 different countries.

We have over 2,000 palaces, country estates and manors to discover.

Our state is also home to 20 technology centres, where startups can find affordable office space as they find their feet.

3 national parks, 7 wildlife parks and 3 biosphere reserves can be found in our state.

At 545,700 hectares, they cover 18% of the state’s surface area.

The essence of relaxation: Hiddensee is a pedestrianised island you can only reach by ferry.

It is part of the West Pomerania Lagoon Area National Park. The island’s iconic landmark is its lighthouse, also known as ‘Leuchtfeuer Dornbusch’, which began operation in 1888. Its light shines from a height of around 100 m and, in good visibility, can be seen up to 45 km away on the open Baltic Sea. www.seebad-hiddensee.de

Over 70 festivals take place every year – music, theatre and culture matter greatly to us.

We have 5 Leibniz research institutes and 2 Max Planck research institutes.

Many of our attractions draw visitors from all over the world.

Schwerin Palace offers tours in 9 languages, including English, Russian and Polish.

Discover our state! Let us take you on a journey through MecklenburgWest Pomerania. Beginning in the state capital, Schwerin, our journey takes us through the southern part of the state to the island of Usedom.

We will then visit the Hanseatic port cities on the Baltic coast and end our journey in the north-west of the state.

Facts and figures Schwerin Ludwigslust-Parchim Mecklenburg Lake District Neubrandenburg Torgelow Anklam Island of Usedom Getting here

Page 3 Page 4 Page 6 Page 7 Page 8 Page 9 Page 10 Page 11 Page 12

Greifswald Grimmen Stralsund Island of Rügen Rostock and surrounding area North-West Mecklenburg and Wismar Transnational appeal Start-ups

Page 14 Page 15 Page 16 Page 17 Page 18 Page 20 Page 22 Page 23

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SCHWERIN

A comfortable spot …

Introducing: Angelika Zimmermann.

The entrepreneur came to Schwerin from Lake Constance in Southern Germany. Together with her husband and their shared idea, she found everything she needed to succeed right here.

Why did you choose Mecklenburg-West Pomerania to set up your production facilities? We were looking for a location that offered different benefits. For one, we wanted a place with the right infrastructure. We were also looking at the situation on the labour market. We need skilled employees, and we can find them here. The local higher education community is a real boon for us. For one year, we have had young graduates from the local area working with us in construction. They have already proven extremely useful for our company. Another important point was the business-friendly atmosphere in the area. We’ve received all kinds of support.

You previously worked as a service provider for many years.

When was the moment you actually said: we’re going to start making aircraft seats? My husband and I are both engineers. For an engineer, a quintessential part of the work result is that you can also feel the product. So, from the first day we set up our business, it was clear that we would begin manufacturing something eventually. We then considered the qualifications we had in the company and decided on aircraft seats.

In 2008, Angelika Zimmermann, together with her husband, founded ZIM Flugsitz GmbH in southern Germany.

In 2017, she brought the family business to Schwerin, a location she describes as ‘dreamlike’.

How long should you actually be able to sit in your average economy seat? Our aim is that you can disembark feeling good even if you’ve just been on a long-haul flight of 10–12 hours.

Anywhere in the world. www.zim-flugsitz.com 4

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Photos: ZIM Flugsitz GmbH; Christian Möller; Frank Burchert

SCHWERIN

… not just for nobility

Northern Germany’s answer to Neuschwanstein Castle has over 600 rooms, 15 towers, 24 chimneys and 100 pinnacles.

Palace and parliament, all in one

Once a residence for nobility, now Mecklenburg-West Pomerania’s state parliament: Schwerin Palace, with its dreamy location on an island on Lake Schwerin, is one of Germany’s most stunning. www.mv-schloesser.de Special issue 2018

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LUDWIGSLUST-PARCHIM

State Stud Redefin Two centuries of horse breeding and training tradition have made their impact on State Stud Redefin.

The ultra-modern, 70-hectare facility is home to 140 horses.

The autumn stallion parade is a particular highlight. Visitors can also admire the stud farm's classical architecture and colourful plant life in the surrounding eight-hectare parkland.

Here to stay Liliana Koll came to the area from Argentina and runs a steak house in Sternberg with her husband. They met in Buenos Aires and moved to Mecklenburg-West Pomerania in 2001.

‘I feel at home here, like people have accepted me’, says Liliana Koll. And if she fancies a trip to a bigger city, Schwerin, Hamburg and Berlin are just a short journey away.

www.state-stud.com

www.sternberg.m-vp.de

Idyllic The stunning Baroque palace Ludwigslust, situated in a vast park with promenades, cascades, canals and springs, is known as the ‘Versailles of the North’. www.mv-schloesser.de

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MECKLENBURG LAKE DISTRICT

A blue paradise Do you know the land of 1,000 lakes, home of boathouses and houseboats? The Mecklenburg Lake District is made up of 1,117 lakes – counting lakes measuring over one hectare. The lakelands are a blue paradise. Whether it’s camping, cycling or rafting with the family, amateur sailors and water babies will be in their element.

Photos: J. Haase; Anette Pröber; Staatliche Schlösser, Gärten und Kunstsammlungen M-V/Lothar Steiner; TMV/outdoor-visions.com Lars Schneider; TMV/ René Legrand; TMV/Timm Allrich; Smurfit Kappa Group

www.mecklenburgische-seenplatte.de

A gem of Baroque and Rococo architecture Mirow Palace was built in 1709 in the picturesque surroundings of Lake Mirow. Once planned as a residence for a widowed Mecklenburg duchess, it later played host to the influential aristocracy. Its most famous occupant was Princess Charlotte. This was where she lived before leaving her home for Britain forever in 1761 to become Queen. www.mv-schloesser.de

The right package Smurfit Kappa is the global market leader in paperbased packaging and operates locations in 35 countries. Around 170 people are employed at the corrugated cardboard factory in Waren (Müritz). This is where products are manufactured for all kinds of different sectors, from the food industry and pharmaceutical and automotive sectors to packaging for online retail. www.smurfitkappa.com

Müritz National Park experience Two-thirds of Müritz National Park’s 320 square metres are covered with trees, making it Germany’s biggest forest national park. Its beech woods have been a UNESCO World Natural Heritage Site since 2011. The park is named after Müritz – Germany’s largest inland lake. All kinds of cycling and walking trails, viewpoints and rest stops make for an unforgettable visitor experience. www.mueritz-nationalpark.de

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NEUBRANDENBURG

A town’s treasures

Neubrandenburg, the ‘City of Four Gates’, has a few real hidden gems. The historic city walls, with their four medieval gates, have been wonderfully well preserved. The Marienkirche, over seven centuries old, has been extensively restored and used as a modern concert church since 2001. Neubrandenburg has a few tricks up its sleeve when it comes to business, too. www.neubrandenburg.de

Tomorrow’s experts The Neubrandenburg University of Applied Sciences offers courses in agriculture, vocational teaching, social work, health, geoinformatics and much more. Close cooperation with business in the region means that there is a strong practical element to teaching and research here. This helps the university train the experts of tomorrow.

Red hot technology for cold days The world’s biggest factory for independent vehicle heating systems is located in Neubrandenburg. Every year, the Webasto group produces around one million units for all kinds of vehicles. There are 700 employees – and counting, as Webasto is expanding its heating plant and aims to widen areas of activity such as e-mobility research at the site.

A melodious gift for the city A global market leader in food-cutting machinery: Weber Maschinenbau GmbH is a family company as well as a massive success. Established in 1981 by Günther Weber, the company is now run by his sons, with 25 different locations. For his 70th birthday, Weber fulfilled a lifelong dream and donated an organ to the Marienkirche, which has an even richer timbre than Hamburg’s Elbphilharmonie concert hall organ.

www.hs-nb.de

www.webasto.com

www.weberweb.com

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TORGELOW

Over 360 people are employed at the Torgelow iron foundry. CEO Peter Krumhoff is full of praise in particular for the outstanding experience of working with the authorities.

Photos: Neubrandenburg City; VZN/B. Schaeffer; Andreas Duerst/AD-CREATIO STUDIO 301; Eisengießerei Torgelow GmbH; Gabriel Kords

Traditional strength for the region Tradition meets innovation in Torgelow, with its 250-yearold iron foundry and the ME-LE Group, founded in 1990. At home in a variety of industries, their skills are equally in demand across the globe. The Torgelow iron foundry is one of Europe’s most modern. Objects cast at the foundry include one of the biggest wind turbines, weighing around 90 tonnes. www.eisengiessereitorgelow.de

ME-LE Energietechnik offers a wide range of services around the home, from technical building systems, heating services and property management. The company is at the forefront of innovation in renewable energies, too.

Cross-border expert collaboration is also crucial to ME-LE, and as a result, many of its employees are from nearby Poland.

Civil engineer Agnieszka Pirozek is from Poland. She now works at ME-LE and has found a new home in Torgelow.

www.me-le.de

FACT S

FAC TS

In Mecklenburg-West Pomerania … … 200 international companies in the ScanBalt network are working together on visionary projects for the healthcare sector. There are 3,000 companies in the entire Baltic region. … there are 136,600 people working in the healthcare industry, on projects including digital solutions like telemedicine. … the world’s first plasma pen for healing wounds was developed – at the Leibniz Institute for Plasma Research and Technology in Greifswald.

The state has ... … ideal connections for global businesses with its motorways, rail connections, international ports and airports. … Germany’s biggest Baltic Sea port, in Rostock.

In 2017, a total of 28.8 million tonnes of goods were handled. … more than 60 highly specialised automotive suppliers.

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ANKLAM

Otto Lilienthal – Anklam’s aviation pioneer who dreamed of peace In Otto Lilienthal’s home town, the museum that bears his name shows in a permanent exhibition how man’s dream of flight came true. In the future, the 750-year-old Nikolaikirche – the church where Lilienthal was baptised – will also be home to an interactive museum experience: IKAREUM. Lilienthal’s vision for flight: with the aeroplane, it would be possible to achieve everlasting peace, as people would not have to fight over borders they could fly over freely. This is also the principle behind the Otto Lilienthal Centre for Peace Work. www.lilienthal-museum.de http://friedenszentrum-anklam.de

A place to make things grow Anklam Extrakt’s highquality plant extracts are sold in places like Europe, Asia and America. Anklam Extrakt GmbH is still a fledgling company with a global reach and has created over 75 skilled jobs at its site. Research, product development and manufacturing take place in two production facilities on site. Mirko Bröcker is Commercial Director at Anklam Extrakt GmbH. He consciously opted not to take a job with a US corporation.

Instead, he bet on his professional future in Anklam, as this was somewhere, he believes, he can truly make something grow. www.anklam-extrakt.de 10

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Otto Lilienthal (1848–1896) was a mechanical engineer and aviation pioneer from Anklam.

Schwerin-born Mirko Bröcker spent several years living in Boston in the USA. Then he moved back home – to Mecklenburg-West Pomerania.

ISLAND OF USEDOM

Photos: Wittig/Otto Lilienthal Museum; Anklam Extrakt GmbH; Susann Moll; ExperiArtsEntertainment Franziska Krug; iStockphoto; TMV/Torsten Krüger

Fascinating Usedom

The island of Usedom is known for its long sandy beaches, piers and stunning spa architecture. Spectacular events are a source of excitement and fascination for visitors. www.usedom.de

Sporting stardust Every year, German actor and equestrian enthusiast Till Demtrøder holds the Usedom Cross Country – a traditional (yet animalfriendly) drag hunt on horseback with hounds heading for Usedom. An exclusive events programme attracts horse enthusiasts, dog lovers and the great and good from the worlds of politics, business and media. The month of March also gets a little sprinkle of sporting stardust in the form of Baltic Lights, the northernmost sled dog race in Germany. Here, celebrities line up alongside international sled dog teams to take the reins as ‘mushers’. In the evening, massive beach bonfires, the traditional ‘Biiike’ blazes, burn between the Kaiserbad piers along the promenade.

Packed with history Endless ornate villas and the famous piers decorate the promenades of the three Kaiserbad resorts, Ahlbeck, Bansin and Heringsdorf. The fine sandy beach links the three seaside spas to the Polish spa town of Swinoujscie.

Rest and relaxation The spa town of Zinnowitz lies west of the island of Usedom, which has a coastline spanning 42 km. The beech, oak and pine forests foster the mild climate. This is a great place not just to relax, but also to take part in all kinds of water sports.

www.kaiserbaeder.de

www.zinnowitz.de

www.usedomcrosscountry.de www.balticlights.de Special issue 2018

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MECKLENBURG-WEST POMERANIA

Getting here MecklenburgWest Pomerania is a state in northeastern Germany, situated in the heart of central Europe.

WARNEMÜNDE

ROSTOCK BAD DOBERAN

KLÜTZ

BENITZ

R A

WISMAR A20/E22

GÜS

STERNBERG HAMBURG

SCHWERIN A19/E55 A24/E26

A14/E49

REDEFIN LUDWIGSLUST

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MECKLENBURG-WEST POMERANIA

ISLAND OF RÜGEN

SASSNITZ-MUKRAN

BERGEN GRANITZ STRALSUND

E

ISLAND OF USEDOM

GRIMMEN

K

ZINNOWITZ

GREIFSWALD

PETSCHOW BANSIN A20/E251

HERINGSDORF AHLBECK

ROSTOCK-LAAGE AIRPORT

POLAND

ANKLAM

STROW

NEUBRANDENBURG

TORGELOW

WAREN (MÜRITZ)

MIROW

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GREIFSWALD

A centre for excellence Founded in 1456, the University of Greifswald is one of Germany’s oldest universities. Prospective students can choose from around 40 different subjects. Modern research laboratories and extensively renovated and well-equipped historic teaching buildings offer ideal conditions for learning.

Personal support and the quality of teaching are top priority. An ideas contest promotes creative thinking and startups are supported by students and staff.

There are plenty of success stories making the region a more vibrant place.

Ultra-modern research facility The Center for Functional Genomics of Microbes (C_FunGene) is the newest research institution in Greifswald. Since early 2018, around 160 scientists have been working on research into subjects such as dangerous infectious diseases. www.cfungene.uni-greifswald.de

www.uni-greifswald.de

World record for Greifswald research Is the ‘sun on earth’ being created in Greifswald? With the 725-tonne Wendelstein 7-X stellarator at the Max Planck Institute for Plasma Physics, research is under way into how gas can be transformed into plasma under extremely high temperatures – similar to processes on the sun.

The Institute is run by scientific director Prof. Sibylle Günter, who was awarded the Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany for her services to research and education in 2013. Over 400 researchers and staff from all over the world work at the institute. www.ipp.mpg.de

Back home After five years in Hamburg, Technical Operations Assistant Claudia Wendorf moved back to her home town of Greifswald.

She says: ‘Here, I can develop, be of use, balance work and family and enjoy the unique feeling of living in this area.’ www.medizin.uni-greifswald.de 14

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Photos: University of Greifswald; University of Greifswald/Magnus Schult; IPP/Silke Winkler; IPP/Wolfgang Filser; Susann Moll; Landesmarketing/Timo Roth

GRIMMEN

Farming the future Friedhelm Thiel, farmer and Managing Director of Landwirtschafts GmbH Petschow in the district of Rostock, grows sweet lupin in his fields for Prolupin GmbH. Unlike other sources of protein such as rice, almonds and soya, sweet lupin is native to the area and grows in sandy and clay soil, so it doesn’t compete with other crops. Thiel is among the pioneers in this field – as the flagship company in a Germany-wide lupin network, he demonstrates his scientific findings in ‘Growing Best Practice’, which is intended to advance sweet lupin production.

A nutritional innovation What once began as a research project at the Fraunhofer Institute IVV became the startup Prolupin in 2010. Today, the innovative fledgling company is based in Grimmen, a town just off motorway 20. Using a patented manufacturing process which is the only one of its kind worldwide, proteins are extracted from the ‘blue sweet lupin’ and processed as milk, meat and egg substitutes. Managing Director Malte Stampe is proud of his brand, ‘Made with luve’ – a play on words combining ‘lupin’ and ‘vegan’.

www.lupinen-netzwerk.de

www.prolupin.de

A field of innovation FACTS

FACTS

In Mecklenburg-West Pomerania … … there are 1.3 million hectares of agricultural land.

That’s around 60% of the land in the state. … 25,000 people work in agriculture.

That makes it the biggest employer in rural areas. … the food industry isn’t the only area where innovative research is taking place: scientists are also working on progressive energy ideas – almost 68% of electricity produced comes from wind, bio, water or solar energy.

In our state … … agriculture isn’t the only thing you can study.

There are all kinds of options. … you can study administration or train to become a police officer and research criminology at the Güstrow Institute of Public Administration, Police and Justice … the musicians and actors of the future are trained at the Rostock University of Music and Theatre.

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STRALSUND

Dr Thomas Kühmstedt, Ostseestaal’s Technical Director, reports on the company’s innovative products.

Major steel specialists Ostseestaal GmbH & Co. KG, part of the Dutch group CIG, specialises in the 3D cold forming of sheet steel for the shipbuilding industry. Ostseestaal gradually expanded its portfolio to multi-industry production.

Ever since, Ostseestaal has built products such as eco-friendly electrical solar ships and was involved in the construction of the stunningly designed Ozeaneum aquarium. www.ostseestaal.com

Study the future by the sea Robots are the future. To help shape it, the University of Applied Sciences Stralsund offers courses in computer science. The university also produces experts in mechanical engineering, electrical engineering and business. For students, the university’s Baltic Sea location is also a huge plus: it’s ideal for water sports and beach visits after lectures. www.hochschule-stralsund.de

The futuristic Ozeaneum – a museum of underwater worlds – blends into the historic cityscape. www.ozeaneum.de

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Jürgen Nordmann’s very special ideas turned the Störtebeker brewery’s products into a real success.

Breathing new life into brewing In 1990, Jürgen Nordmann followed his family’s call and acquired the former Stralsund Vereinsbrauerei brewery. Numerous awards and 150 satisfied employees are testament to the success of that decision. Today, his Störtebeker beers enjoy an international reputation. Its customers include popular restaurants, supermarket chains and the Hamburg Elbphilharmonie. www.stoertebeker.com

Vibrant city with world heritage status Impressive townhouses and ruined city walls: in the 14th century, Stralsund was one of the major Hanseatic port cities on the Baltic Sea. Its old town is now a UNESCO World Heritage site. Nearby, Germany’s longest cablestayed bridge, spanning 4,097 metres, leads from the mainland to the island of Rügen. www.stralsund.de

ISLAND OF RÜGEN

Mukran – the industrial heart of Rügen A few kilometres from Rügen, out in the Baltic Sea, you will find the ‘Wikinger’ wind farm. Built by the Spanish energy company Iberdrola, it harnesses the power of nature to generate energy.

In future, its 70 turbines will supply more than 20% of the state’s households with electricity. Its control station is in the port of Sassnitz-Mukran – the region’s industrial heart.

Photos: fotolia; Ostseestaal; Störtebeker Braumanufaktur GmbH; 123rf; TMV/Thomas Grundner; Mukran Port; Thorsten Lasrich; Jacques Darman;

www.mukran-port.de

My new home Dr Jacques Darman is an optician in Bergen, on the island of Rügen. Born and bred in Cameroon, he came to Germany aged 20 and studied in the former GDR. Although he is always drawn back to Africa, he has found a new home here.

‘You feel welcome everywhere, so I plan to stay.’

Magnificent With its bold central tower, Granitz Hunting Lodge offers fantastic views of the island.

Built between 1837 and 1846, the lodge was once the opulent hunting residence of the noble house of Putbus. Today, it is one of Rügen’s most popular attractions.

www.augenarzt-darman.de

www.mv-schloesser.de

More than romance The snow-white Königsstuhl chalk cliffs cast their spell on the painter Caspar David Friedrich (1774–1840) and attract thousands of nature lovers each year.

A walk along the coastal path in the Jasmund National Park is a very special experience. www.nationalpark-jasmund.de

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ROSTOCK AND SURROUNDING AREA

A window on the world in Rostock-Laage

flights, Rostock airport is also involved in the cruise industry. The airport offers Whether it’s business or leisure, Tenerife, a service for cruise passengers that’s Crete or Munich: all kinds of destinations unique in Germany. With ‘seamless travel’, are within rapid reach from Rostock air- airport passengers are taken directly port (RLG). Dörthe Hausmann is Manag- to the dock in Warnemünde without ing Director of Rostock-Laage airport. having to take care of their baggage.

As well as offering leisure and business www.rostock-airport.de

A truly versatile Hanseatic city Rostock isn’t just the largest city in Mecklenburg-West Pomerania.

It’s also an economic and transport hub for businesspeople, international relations and manufacture – a vibrant metropolis.

Great new heights Wherever you are in the world, you’re almost certain to find cranes made by Liebherr-MCCtec Rostock GmbH. Every year, numerous ships, mobile harbour and offshore cranes are developed and produced in the overseas port. They can carry up to 5,000 tonnes and specialise in cargo handling in the maritime industry. The company ensures it has the skilled staff it needs by training new talent for itself and other companies at its own academy. www.liebherr.com 18

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Out into the wide world Rostock is home to AIDA Cruises, Germany’s most successful cruise provider.

At the company headquarters in the Hanseatic city, over 1,000 employees ensure that the cruise line stays on course for success. Fun fact: the iconic puckered-lip logo made famous by the AIDA fleet was created by a graphic artist from Rostock. www.aida.de

Photos: Roy von Elbberg; Liebherr-MCCtec Rostock GmbH; AIDA Cruises; Marieke Sobiech; University of Rostock; Martin Heider (Bad Doberan); Agrarbetrieb Groß Grenz

ROSTOCK AND SURROUNDING AREA

The heart of a revolution Warnemünde’s Cortronik GmbH has revolutionised cardiology.

Its innovative stent for expanding blood vessels does not stay in the body, unlike other stents. Instead, it dissolves within twelve months. Its coating gradually dispenses medication over a period of months, which also promotes the arteries’ healing process. Managing Director Dr Carsten Momma is proud of the little lifesavers the company has created.

Tradition meets modernity in Rostock Founded in 1419, the University of Rostock is the oldest in the Baltic region.

It is bursting with tradition, but also has an eye on the future: interdisciplinary collaboration is one of the university’s strengths. It created its own Interdisciplinary Faculty, where researchers go in search of answers to the world’s mysteries. From clean ship propulsion and aquaponics to technical support systems for independent living in old age, the Baltic university supports research into all kinds of innovations.

www.cortronik.com

www.uni-rostock.de

A medieval pearl The Doberan Minster is found on the European Route of Brick Gothic, near Rostock. Built in the 13th century, it is home to the richest and most well-preserved medieval fittings among all of Europe’s Cistercian abbeys. Its main altar is said to be the oldest winged altar in art history.

Tours are offered in nine languages, including English, Russian and Polish. www.muenster-doberan.de

Farming tradition The Groß Grenz agricultural business (GGAB) south of Rostock is doing exemplary work in the area of sustainability and modernisation. Animal feed is grown on their own fields, manure is used to produce electricity with the help of a biogas facility, and exhaust heat generated is used to heat the barns.

Taking as her motto ‘from the region, for the region’, Managing Director Dr Kathrin Naumann runs a diversified company that has produced high-quality food products for almost 30 years. GGAB also helps attract people to the countryside with secure employment and traineeship opportunities.

Farmer Dr Kathrin Naumann is a strong advocate for the region.

www.facebook.com/pg/ AgrarbetriebinBenitz

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NORTH-WEST MECKLENBURG AND WISMAR

Computer-generated image of a Global Class cruise ship in front of the Wismar shipyard.

Titans of the world’s oceans MV Werften is a combination of shipyards in Wismar, Rostock and Stralsund which have belonged to the Malaysian group Genting since 2016. Here, they team up to build the titans of the world’s oceans. Work is currently underway on the world’s largest cruise ship – with a planned length of 340 metres and capacity for over 5,000 passengers. The midship comes from Rostock.

In Wismar, the bow and stern are then fitted and the fittings are installed. www.mv-werften.com

The Hanseatic port city of Wismar’s old town, one of Europe’s most well-preserved town centres, is a UNESCO World Heritage site. Alongside the marketplace, many architectural monuments cast their spell over the city. The ‘Alter Schwede’ townhouse dates from the 14th century, historic churches have been restored and the ‘Wasserkunst’ – a building which stands alone on the marketplace – shows how the drinking water supply worked in the past. www.wismar.de

Wismar: Steeped in history

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Swapping the Caribbean for the Baltic Javier Román is from Nicaragua. He met his German wife when studying in Moscow and later moved back home with her – to Wismar. He’s swapped Latin America for this Hanseatic city, filling it with the delicious smell of coffee and a love of life. www.cafeshop-especial.de

Photos: fotolia (archive); MV Werften; Anette Pröber; Staatliche Schlösser, Gärten und Kunstsammlungen M-V/Timm Allrich; EGGER Holzwerkstoffe

NORTH-WEST MECKLENBURG AND WISMAR

A little piece of England Passing along the 270-metre Festonallee, a tree-lined avenue, the first thing you see is the central axis of the main building as you gradually approach the idyllic Baroque palace. Bothmer Palace is a little piece of England in Klütz in North-West Mecklenburg – built by Hans Caspar von Bothmer, one of the early 18th century’s most powerful politicians. The palace and its brightly coloured gardens are surrounded by a Dutch-style moat.

This is a great place not only to relax, but also to hold private parties and listen to concerts. www.mv-schloesser.de

Ralf Lorber is Head of Finance and Administration at EGGER Flooring Products.

Learning and shaping the future The Wismar University of Applied Sciences – founded in 1908 – is a public educational institution focusing on the three main areas of business, technical and design education. The number of students enrolled in the university, including distance learners, is currently around 8,500.

The branch in Rostock-Warnemünde boasts a tradition of academic maritime education dating back to 1846.

However, this doesn’t mean students need to do without modern conveniences: a ship simulator, for example, provides a realistic depiction of the prospective seafarers’ work on the bridge, with a 360° panoramic view and a range of potential scenarios.

Trees of Northern Germany on the world’s floors The industrial park in the Hanseatic port city of Wismar is an important centre for Europe’s wood industry and a real wood hub. With around 900 employees, EGGER Holzwerkstoffe Wismar GmbH & Co. KG, run by Ralf Lober, is the largest company resident on the site. Every year, around two million cubic metres of wood are turned into laminate flooring and chipboard – the equivalent of around 50 shiploads, 2,000 railway carriages and 15,000 lorries – and exported directly as far as South America and Asia.

www.hs-wismar.de

www.egger.com Special issue 2018

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T R A N S N AT I O N A L

Mecklenburg-West Pomerania’s ideal location in the heart of Europe and its network of ports, airports, railway links and motorways make it an appealing location for companies worldwide. The success of the multinational business locations is testament to how well the international cooperation works. Examples include Schwerin industrial park and the Danish packaging specialist Schur.

Success knows no bounds Schwerin industrial park: a global business magnet Many well-known international companies have set up shop in the Göhrener Tannen industrial park near the state capital. As well as ZIM Flugsitz GmbH, it is home to companies such as Ypsomed, the leading medical technology company in the field of diabetes, Nestlé AG, with Europe’s biggest Dolce Gusto coffee pod factory – both from Switzerland – and United Caps, a plastic seal manufacturer from Luxembourg. The industrial park currently employs over 1,000 people – and counting.

Danish family company manufactures in Mecklenburg-West Pomerania Schur may be the oldest familyowned packaging company in the world. Founded in Denmark in 1864, Schur offers extensive expertise in packaging in 15 locations including Denmark, Germany, Sweden, France, Australia and the USA. Schur Pack Germany GmbH manufactures carton packaging solutions in Gallin, in the Ludwigslust-Parchim district.

Over 160 people are employed at the modern factory.

www.schwerin.de/wirtschaft

www.schur.com/en

The Schwerin industrial park spans an area of 350 hectares.

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Special issue 2018

The innovative logistics system was developed and produced

by Schur Pack.

STAR TUPS

advocado, Greifswald New ways to find legal advice Whether you’re setting up a company, applying for a patent or dealing with an inheritance: the legal tech startup advocado finds the best lawyer for any matter online within a short space of time – irrespective of time and location, and at a previously agreed fixed price. In a free initial assessment, you can also get an overview of the legal options. The startup was founded as part of an ideas contest at the University of Greifswald in 2014. It has since become an attractive employer for students and young professionals.

Treibholz Boards, Stralsund Handmade skateboards and surfboards They’ve turned their passion into a profession: sporty boards and classic handicraft. The entrepreneurs actually came to the Hanseatic city of Stralsund to study. They started out building boards for themselves and friends in a little garage they quickly outgrew due to high demand. Once they finished their studies, they then set up Treibholz Boards and moved into their board factory in the heart of the old town. Every year, one hundred boards are made here by hand. The fledgling company now also has its own fashion line.

Photos: Shutterstock; Central Facility Management/Kraus; Schur Pack Germany GmbH; Hepster; advocado GmbH; Dörte Rahming; AIM3D GmbH; Fotolia

www.advocado.de www.treibholzboards.de

Hepster, Rostock Rethinking insurance Digitisation has changed people’s lives and made them faster. Insurtech startup Hepster is expanding on this development. With its product, it offers the opportunity to get insurance quickly and at short notice – with no long terms, complicated contracts or confusing cancellation periods.

The customer decides for themselves how long they would like to insure certain goods for and books the right policy straight from their smartphone. www.hepster.com

AIM3D, Rostock The future of 3D printing AIM3D GmbH was established in Rostock in 2017. As equipment manufacturers, this young engineering team set itself the challenge of revolutionising metal 3D printing. They achieved this with the development of the affordable multimaterial printer, the ExAM 255. The ExAM 255 makes it possible to print products from metals, ceramics, plastics and reinforced plastics using standard injection moulding pellets – without cost-intensive machine retooling. www.aim3d.de

STARTUPS in MecklenburgWest Pomerania

The startup scene in Mecklenburg-West Pomerania is young, innovative and dynamic.

Special state assistance programmes for startups and support from universities and higher education institutions make it easier for entrepreneurs to gain a foothold.

New opportunities Special issue 2018

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Best of Northern Germany

Has Mecklenburg-West Pomerania sparked your interest?

You can find the most important international points of contact for living, working and investing in the region below.

Welcome to Mecklenburg-West Pomerania Mecklenburg-West Pomerania state portal en.mecklenburg-vorpommern.de

Invest in MV Wirtschaftsfördergesellschaft Mecklenburg-Vorpommern GmbH www.invest-in-mv.de/en

Confederation of employer, business, trade and regional associations Vereinigung der Unternehmensverbände für Mecklenburg-Vorpommern e.V., www.vumv.de

CHAMBERS OF INDUSTRY AND COMMERCE Rostock Chamber of Industry and Commerce (IHK), Rostock, www.rostock.ihk24.de Schwerin Chamber of Industry and Commerce (IHK), Schwerin, www.ihkzuschwerin.de Neubrandenburg Chamber of Industry and Commerce (IHK) for East MecklenburgWest Pomerania, Neubrandenburg, www.neubrandenburg.ihk.de

With kind support from:

Schwerin Palace is the iconic landmark of the state capital of MecklenburgWest Pomerania.