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 2018
This year's NRW.INVEST Award went to the US online retailer Amazon, the British systems house Computacenter, the Japanese high-tech company Shimadzu and the Chinese automotive supplier Yanfeng Automotive Interiors.
Amazon: The US online retailer has greatly expanded its presence in North Rhine-Westphalia in recent years. Since the start of logistics activities eight years ago in Rheinberg and Werne, further locations in Bochum, Dortmund and Krefeld in various functions were added in 2017. In addition, Amazon operates a research and development center in Aachen. More locations for example in Mönchengladbach are planned. Amazon provides full-time employment for about 6,500 people in NRW.
Computacenter: The British IT service provider supplies complete computer networks including software and hardware to companies and public clients and is one of the highest-grossing system houses in Germany. For 25 years Computacenter has been located in Kerpen, where the construction of a new German headquarters began last year with an investment of 40 million euros. In addition, the company is renting a further 29,000 square meters in a logistics center to expand its configuration and logistics capacities.
Shimadzu: The Japanese company is the world's leading developer and supplier of analytical instruments, laboratory technology and medical devices. Founded in 1875, it settled in Düsseldorf as early as 1968 and has had its European headquarters in Duisburg since 1987. The Shimadzu European Innovation Center was opened there last year: an innovative think tank that combines academic scientific and technical know-how and develops innovative solutions specifically for customers. Shimadzu employs around 230 people in NRW.
Yanfeng Automotive Interiors: The Chinese automotive supplier specializes in vehicle interiors and is the world leader in this segment. The product spectrum ranges from center consoles, door and instrument panels to intelligent surfaces. Since Yanfeng Automotive Interiors was founded in 2015, it has had its European headquarters with around 600 employees in Neuss, from where 15 additional locations in Europe are managed. In February 2018, the company opened a new innovation center. Here, work is being conducted in various disciplines on the car interior of the future.
For fotos on the award ceremony on June 25, 2018 see our Media center.
Award winners of the last years
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.
