Bremen's Economy in Figures: 2024 Statistics

Six years ago, Arne Stehnken was still a new founder himself; today he is part of the management team at the software company syniotec in Bremen's city centre. To make the start easier for other founders, start-ups and creative people and to offer them a place to work, network and exchange ideas, he and his company have opened a creative and innovation centre - a source of inspiration for fresh ideas in the heart of Bremen´s city centre.

Are German companies underestimating investment opportunities in Vietnam? And is Cambodia stealing the limelight from Vietnam? You'll find details about all this and more in our summer 2024 Vietnam newsletter.

What is it like to be a intern at the technology centre ECOMAT? Éva Perrier comes from Montpellier – and quickly finds her feet in Bremen. What she loves about Bremen.

SAACKE is a hidden champion renowned the world over for its combustion systems, which can be relied upon on tankers in international waters and in continuous operation in car factories. Leading the way in technology, the Bremen-based business has been setting a global example by using hydrogen for over 40 years.

To enable aircraft to fly CO2-free on hydrogen in the future, aircraft tanks must be developed for extreme conditions: lightweight, robust, impermeable to hydrogen and at temperatures close to absolute zero - a challenging task. Bremen's ECOMAT now has a new laboratory to test the materials for this.

The Bremeninvest office opened its doors in Shanghai two decades ago. As the international brand of the WFB, Bremeninvest had set itself the goals of reinforcing the economic links between Bremen and China and inspiring Chinese businesses to consider relocating to Bremen. Since then, more than 150 companies have set up premises in the Hanseatic city.

A space rocket that can take off and land like an aeroplane: That is the idea being pursued by the Bremen-based start-up Polaris. Small test models are already flying and "Aurora" is due to take off in 2028. The invention could revolutionise the market, as the spacecraft can be reused up to 200 times - and can take off into space from any airport.

Turkey has discovered railways and is building on infrastructure. A way to greater resilience and a path out of the crisis? And ... how Bremen is refocussing its economic development strategy in Turkey.

Bremen's rise to become one of the leading aircraft construction centres in Europe began a hundred years ago with the launch of the "Focke Wulf A 16", the first industrially manufactured aircraft "made in Bremen". Pioneering work is still being carried out in the Hanseatic city today. Starfish also play a role here.

The right location for a business depends on many factors - infrastructure, location, but also labor supply and quality of life. Bremen convinces companies from Germany and abroad with numerous location factors.

Drones are inexpensive and versatile. With artificial intelligence, they can operate autonomously – whether in the field or in the warehouse. These eight companies and institutes from Bremen are involved in civilian, airborne drone technology.

The new Ariane 6 is due to take off for the first time in summer 2024 and will secure Europe's access to space. A central element of this, the upper stage that carries the "rocket´s brain", comes from Bremen. A look behind the hermetically sealed doors in the airport city shows how the upper stage is being built in the Hanseatic city.

Into the flowerbed instead of the trash: the products from Bremen-based Scribbling Seeds turn discarded office and advertising materials into tomatoes, basil or sunflowers. Founder Anushree Jain is certain that this is the way to a more sustainable office.

Bremen is Germany’s sixth-largest industrial hub in terms of revenue. Whether the sector is aerospace, food, automotive, shipping or steel production, Bremen has always been a major player.

As a Hanseatic metropolis, international trade is in the blood of the people of Bremen. From here, companies control their worldwide destiny, import and export goods from the most remote corners - we present 10 of them

New perspectives on our beloved Hanseatic city – we take to the skies and show Bremen from above.

A century of aircraft construction in Bremen – in the post-war years, the "Airbus" project was emblematic of the history of the aviation industry in Bremen. It has been one of the Hanseatic city's most significant industrial sectors ever since.

A century of aircraft construction in Bremen – the story starts in 1924 with the company "Focke-Wulf- Flugzeugbau AG". It marks the beginning of one of the Hanseatic city's most important industrial sectors. In 2024, Bremen is celebrating "100 Years of Aircraft Construction" with a series of anniversary celebrations.

Last year, international companies and investors invested around 8 million Euros in Bremen. In particular, it was funding for sustainable projects that attracted special attention at home and abroad.

100 years of aircraft construction in Bremen - an impressive history full of top achievements. Airbus operates the second largest production site in Germany in Bremen on the site of the former Focke-Wulf Flugzeugbau AG. Bremen site manager Joachim Betker takes a look at the past, present and future.

Bremen has earned itself the title "City of Space". Some of the most important space projects of the past decades were launched into space with Bremen technology and knowledge. But who is behind them? A look at eight companies from the industry.

Reusable rockets, new space stations, shooting down asteroids and our own space port: the future is calling and Bremen's aerospace companies are answering, loud and clear. 11 projects support the drive to conquer space.

New settlement in Bremen: for three decades, the Brüning Group had its company headquarters in Fischerhude. In the summer of 2023, the rapidly expanding company moved its head offices to the Überseeinsel in the Überseestadt (the New Harbour District) in Bremen. A modern brick-built office block with a glass facade now stands where Kellogg's once stored rice.

AI at any cost or proportionate regulation? Silicon Valley is divided on the subject, as shown not least by the conflict surrounding OpenAI's CEO Sam Altman in the past few weeks. By visiting Silicon Valley as a delegation, we are personally going to find out how things are exactly.

The real estate sector is currently in a crisis. However, if we look back into the past, data from previous decades shows that Bremen's property market has remained stable, despite the challenging times.

When was the last time you enjoyed a Beck’s beer? Or told your children the story of the Bremen Town musicians? The North German Federal State of Bremen is home to 685,000 people and is world-famous for premium brands. It's also the key to Europe.

New in Bremen: Juicy dumplings, freshly prepared, with savoury or spicy sauce - Mr. Dumpling brings Chinese flair to Bremen's city centre.

Once a year, renowned analysts collect information for the Real Estate Market Report. This is a review of the past year, combined with forecasts based on the market data available within the first six months. The 2023 report shows stable results despite the current difficult market conditions.

Twenty-seven companies from Bremen, Bremerhaven and the surrounding area will present a selection of innovative building projects at a joint stand at the Expo Real trade fair in Munich, Germany this year. The event runs from October 4th to 6th 2023 and is one of the most important trade fairs for the property sector and for investors in Europe.

In May this year, Malte Blank took over as project manager for Turkish companies that want to establish a presence in Bremen.

High interest rates, soaring rents, faltering supply chains and low consumer demand: does this mean the end of the good times for the once record-breaking logistics facilities sector? How is Bremen doing as a property hotspot and how can it safeguard its future?

Science plays a leading role in Bremen: in the laboratories of the university, at one of the more than 50 research institutes or in the green botanika. There are many opportunities for visitors to experience science at first hand.

Many sectors are affected by the shortage of qualified employees. However, thanks to its numerous partners, Bremeninvest can offer a broad range of services and assistance to help overcome these problems.

Bremen is one of Germany's major industrial hubs, and many international companies base their headquarters and main offices in the city. Here are ten examples that may not be familiar to everyone.

No fewer than eight Mercedes-Benz models proudly bear the seal 'Made in Bremen'. They range from standard saloons to sports cars and SUVs. Which one do you like best?

Tailor-made support to successfully bring your own idea to the market - or into space? That's possible in Bremen with the ESA BIC Northern Germany incubation programme. Start-ups from a wide range of sectors can apply. Inge Heydt from the Starthaus explains for whom the incubator is suitable and what is behind it.

The entry of Chinese companies into the port of Hamburg or into the German heat pump market caused a stir. China is Germanys most important trading partner, but at the same time the trade war, sanctions and new Chinese laws are changing the business model. Dr Florian Kessler knows how companies must deal with this now.

Doing business in a sustainable, ecological way not only makes a positive contribution to the community and the environment but is also profitable. Ten Bremen companies show us what they're doing.

BLG LOGISTICS GROUP AG & Co. KG’s AutoTerminal in Bremerhaven is a record-breaking automotive hub. Every year, the terminal handles some 1.7 million vehicles. But that’s not all.

Catherine Rau finished her studies at ECOMAT and has now found a job at Airbus in Bremen. So she's now also encouraging other young professionals to consider working in the aviation and aerospace sector in Bremen.

Aviation "made in Bremen": The Airbus facility in Bremen extends over 450,000 square metres, or 63 football fields, and has a workforce of 4,100. Industrial performance at the highest level.

A year ago, ENGINIUS began producing the first hydrogen truck with EU type approval in Bremen. Today, 100 employees already work at the plant. The plans are still set for growth, thanks to tailwind from Bremen and strong demand from around the world.

The greenest major city in Germany is Bremen - with an average of 60 square metres of sports, leisure and recreation space per person. Parks, sports facilities, but also water areas invite you to relax from the hustle and bustle of the city every day.

Hydrogen Technology Expo Europe is the largest trade fair for suppliers of hydrogen technologies. It takes place in the Hanseatic city of Bremen every September. The big names in this sector will meet up there, once again, on September 27th and 28th 2023.

Anyone flying on vacation with an Airbus will almost certainly come into contact with products from the Bremen-based aviation supplier AES Elektro/Elektronik System GmbH. But they are not only to be found in vacation planes - even German Chancellor Olaf Scholz cannot do without them.

Around 8 million euros were invested by foreign companies in Bremen in 2022. Especially in the technology sector - as these three examples of successful settlements show.

165 years after it was founded, the Lloyd Werft was on the verge of collapse. "This business is part of our city" said ship-building company owner Thorsten Rönner. So, together with Kurt Zech, a construction entrepreneur and ship owner based in Bremen, he bought the company. The enterprise will return to its origins as a ship repair yard, as part of the business group run by Rönner and his brothers.

The gastronomy scene in Bremen's Überseestadt is incredibly diverse. Let us take you on a tour of the district's kitchens.

Despite crises and economic challenges, Bremen remains an attractive real estate location – as proven by these 8 selected new construction projects completed in 2022.

Robot football, exports, fish fingers and sundials – here are nine examples where Bremen is often at the top of the podium.

What would a port city be without shipping companies? Like a town without musicians, perhaps – so it’s a good thing that Bremen is home to a lot of national and international shipping companies. We’ll show you which ones.

Climate-neutral hydrogen is an indispensable component of our future energy supply. In Bremen, more than one billion euros are being invested in sustainable hydrogen projects.

Bremen without logistics – inconceivable! But what do the more than 1,000 companies that make up the sector actually do? We introduce ten logistics firms.

Bremen and Vietnam are growing closer together and hydrogen projects from Vietnam - insights into Vietnam's economy are provided by Huong Thi Hoang, director of our Bremeninvest office in Vietnam.

Old and new, work and home, culture and leisure – modern, urban living spaces are being created in Bremen on 20 hectares of the company grounds of a former cigarette and tobacco factory.

Coffee in Bremen - that's a tradition. Almost every second bean is imported via Bremen or Bremerhaven. In recent years, numerous coffee roasting companies have been founded that bring a whole new coffee enjoyment.

Who are Bremen's hidden champions? Hidden champions are small and medium-sized businesses that are among the global market leaders in their niche industry; they are usually owner-managed and highly influential in shaping the market with their products – but few people have heard of them. A number of these hidden champions can be found in Bremen. They come from all areas of business, including the maritime, aerospace and digital industries. They show that Bremen is regarded as one of the most innovative locations for industry in Germany – and rightly so. The city has the highest export quota of all Germany's federal states – products that are manufactured here are in demand all over the world.