NRW.INVEST AWARD
Investors stimulate the economy, create jobs, strenghten innovation impetus and bring new products, services and processes to NRW. In doing so, they make a decisive contribution to the competitiveness of North Rhine-Westphalia. NRW.INVEST honors exemplary investments in NRW with the NRW.INVEST AWARD. At the same time, this acknowledgement is extended symbolically to all investors who have opted for NRW as their business location.
Over the years since its inception, the NRW.INVEST AWARD has gone to either an individual company or several companies for their exemplary commitment to NRW and their contribution to the economic development of the state.
NRW.INVEST AWARD 2019
This year's NRW.INVEST Award went to the Estonian software developer Nortal, the French cosmetics group L'Oréal, the Dutch online supermarket PICNIC and the Austrian company Competence Call Center.
Nortal: The company is one of Estonia's largest software developers with approximately 1,000 employees in 10 countries worldwide. Nortal designs and implements digital technologies to optimize processes for governments, businesses and the healthcare sector. The company is involved in digital transformation in Estonia and has implemented a large part of the government's e-services. At the end of 2018, Nortal opened its first office in Germany in Düsseldorf. From here, the Estonians want to contribute their knowledge to the digital transformation of the country.
L'Oréal: The French cosmetics giant has been based in Düsseldorf for almost three decades. In March 2018, L'Oréal opened its new German headquarters in the state capital for just under 1,000 employees – a true commitment to the location and also a showcase project in conceptual terms for North Rhine-Westphalia. The development of the building focused on sustainability. In addition, the new L'Oréal headquarters sets standards for a modern working environment: Architecture and working culture complement one another, both being characterized by openness and transparency.
PICNIC: With the online supermarket headquartered in the Netherlands, customers can order food home without delivery charges. Founded in 2015, the Dutch start-up already serves 175,000 households. In North Rhine-Westphalia, PICNIC now operates five locations in Düsseldorf, Krefeld, Mönchengladbach, Neuss and Viersen with around 400 employees. Here, PICNIC already reaches over 35,000 people with its delivery service and is planning additional locations.
Competence Call Center: Since the opening of its first NRW location in Essen in 2013, the Austrian provider of call center services has been on a strong growth course. Over the years, offices in Dortmund and Duisburg have been followed by another location in Essen and a branch in Aachen. In North Rhine-Westphalia, Competence Call Center employs over 2,500 staff and serves international market leaders with its call center services from here.
For fotos on the award ceremony on July 1, 2019 and videos of the award winners see our Media center.
Award winners of the last years
The US online retailer Amazon, the British systems house Computacenter, the Japanese high-tech company Shimadzu and the Chinese automotive supplier Yanfeng Automotive Interiors.
The British cosmetics manufacturer Lush Fresh Handmade Cosmetics, Düsseldorf.
The Norwegian aluminum manufacturer Hydro Aluminium Rolled Products, Grevenbroich.
The French contact center service provider Teleperformance Germany with seats in Dortmund und Mönchengladbach.
The hotel search engine operator Trivago, Düsseldorf.
The Japanese company Cyberdyne Care Robotics, headquartered in Bochum.
The Turkish nut specialist Tadιm with its settlement in Emsdetten in the Münsterland region.
The Chinese carbide manufacturer ZCC Cutting Tools Europe with its branch in Düsseldorf.
The Chinese provider of information technology and telecommunications solutions HUAWEI, Düsseldorf.
The US express and parcel delivery service UPS at Cologne/Bonn Airport.
The French chemical company Air Liquide based in Düsseldorf.
The leading Chinese manufacturer of construction machinery XCMG Europe, Krefeld.
The German cardboard specialist Schumacher Packaging, AirportPark FMO in Greven.
The Turkish communications and technology company Turkcell, Cologne.
The German branch of the French welding machine manufacturer GYS, Aachen.
The winning duo 3M in Neuss and Kleine Logistikin Grevenbroich.
The Japanese company XTREME technologies GmbH, Alsdorf.
The American firm Edgetech Europe in Heinsberg.
The Japanese automotive supplier DENSO Automotive Deutschland GmbH, Wegberg-Oval.
The Polish company SECESPOL Deutschland GmbH with its office in Düsseldorf.
The Australian company Ceramic Fuel Cells in Heinsberg.
The Japanese manufacturer of power tools and petrol-driven garden equipment Makita with its German headquarters in Ratingen.
The three investors Danone Waters, Garbe Logistic and Reiner Bohnen Internationale Spedition were honored jointly for their new logistics center in Duisburg Port.
The Bochum-based development center of the Canadian Blackberry manufacturer Research in Motion Deutschland GmbH (RIM).
The Japanese flavor and fragrance manufacturer Takasago in Zülpich.
The Chinese construction machinery manufacturer SANY, Bedburg/Bergheim - Mühlenerft.
The Swedish technology company Atlas Copcobased in Essen.
A subsidiary of the Finnish paper company Myllykoski, Rhein Papier in Hürth.
The Danish company Genan at the Dorsten/Marl site.
The Norwegian energy producer Statkraft in Düsseldorf.
The excellent infrastructure, the central location and the high qualifications of the people make North Rhine-Westphalia an economic power of international standing. In terms of numerous economic statistics, NRW is world class.
