NRW's economic regions

Bergisches Städtedreieck

Bergisches Städtedreieck: Metal and manufacturing region

For the cities of Remscheid, Solingen and Wuppertal in the heart of NRW, structural development has been a jointly undertaken task since the Regionale 2006.

A glimpse into the region: Approximately 625,300 people live in this region with its well-established economic structure. The early use of hydropower for the production of highly specialized metal products was its origin, and over the centuries, businesses have repeatedly reinvented themselves. A hands-on entrepreneurial spirit is part of the people's DNA here. Two more figures: Of the 800 automotive suppliers in North Rhine-Westphalia, 250 are located in this urban triangle alone.

Industrial expertise between Wuppertal, Solingen and Remscheid

The region is characterized by the proximity of city and countryside. In the heart of the urban triangle lies a hilly landscape with numerous waterways – well-connected for outdoor tourists by numerous well-developed hiking and cycling trails on disused railway lines.

Three cities – one strategy: The Bergische Struktur- und Wirtschaftsförderungsgesellschaft mbH (BSW), supported by the cities, the Bergische IHK and the savings banks, is developing a future strategy for the region: It initiates and organizes regional projects as well as cooperation in the Bergisches Städtedreieck (Bergish City Triangle).

BSW addresses three key areas within the regional context: economic development, structural development, and tourism. Regional strategies and projects with regional added value are developed at BSW and implemented inter-municipally and in cooperation with business and academia.

The tasks include organizing support for the regional business landscape, particularly for automotive suppliers and mechanical engineering companies. This also includes the development of structural projects focusing on climate-friendly, supra-regional, multimodal mobility networks or the implementation of urban production. Regional tourism projects and strategies are another component of BSW's work. Labor market and employment promotion also falls within its remit: The Bergisches Städtedreieck Regional Agency operates under the BSW umbrella.

Furthermore, BSW has joined supra-regional, political collaborations – for greater impact in development and to make the region visible as a funding area.

Innovation fields

Automotive and New Mobility
Mechanical engineering
Cutlery
Tools
Pharmaceuticals and Chemicals
Health
Event
Digitalization

Bergisches Städtedreieck overview

625,299


residents

46.5%


Share of employees subject to social security contributions in future-oriented industries

228,438


Employees subject to social security contributions

69,732 €


GDP per employed person

7.1%


Share of digital drivers among all employees subject to social security contributions

30.5


Startups per 10,000 employed persons

Innovation and startups in the Bergisches Städtedreieck

Success stories

RIEDEL Communications

150 mio. annual sales

Codecentric AG

73 mio. annual sales

Startup events and hubs

Solingen:

  • Events: Berg-Pitch, E-Sport Convention, Sustainability Festival Bergisch Länd
  • CC: 3D Startup Campus NRW

Wuppertal:

  • Events: Start-up Days, W-Pitch
  • CC: Start-up Center, Women Entrepreneurs in Science

Remscheid:

  • Events: Schmiede Pitch
  • CC: Research Association Tools and Materials
     

Accelerators

Wuppertal:

  • Mello Incubator
  • Circular Economy Accelerator
  • W-tec Accelerator

Solingen:

  • Bergsteiger-Accelerator
  • coworkit

Remscheid:

  • Gründerschmiede
     

The content was compiled with the kind support of NRW.innovativ.

 

Photo credits

The photographic material was kindly provided by: 

© shutterstock, Majonit

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