DÜSSELDORF – WHERE INDUSTRY GOES NEXT

Industry is a cornerstone of Düsseldorf's economy. To secure its future, a strong strategy — the Industry Master Plan, which was initiated in 2011 — is being pursued jointly by all the partners involved. At the same time, it is important to maintain a work-life balance in Düsseldorf!

In many municipalities, the departments responsible for urban planning and economic development often find it difficult to agree on land use, responsibilities and priorities. In Düsseldorf, however, this has resulted in a successful joint project.

At the current 'turning point', Europe is seeking to reposition itself in terms of defence technology. The DefenseTech Inkubator.NRW in Düsseldorf has recently begun bringing start-ups, industrial companies and researchers together to develop new technologies and applications. These technologies are intended to prevent conflicts and promote protection and resilience.

GEA is one of the world's largest system suppliers for the food, beverage, and pharmaceutical industries. Originally founded in Frankfurt at the end of the 19th century, the group is now headquartered in Düsseldorf-Derendorf and is one of Germany's 40 largest listed companies.

They are among the top talents in the German economy and are the first women to hold senior management positions in the automotive and chemical industries in Düsseldorf. We spoke to Claudia Malkus (Mercedes-Benz) and Helya Masoud (BASF) about leadership, responsibility, transformation, role models, and courage.

Düsseldorf is a fashion city – and at the same time faces the question of how fashion can function responsibly, economically and aesthetically in the future. For the past three years, Sustain! has provided creative ideas in the form of a two-day event consisting of a conference and a pop-up market showcasing fair fashion and design from Düsseldorf. This initiative is also supported by sustainable retail, repair services and vintage concepts.

Startups are an important component of Düsseldorf's industrial network: they bring a breath of fresh air to traditional structures and can also act as ‘digital helpers’ along the value chain of established industrial companies. The following three startups from very different fields are also part of this exciting ecosystem: Rex Tierarztpraxis, RIIICO and Bion Analytics. Happy reading!

Interior designer and Düsseldorf native Tina Jokisch started out as a carpenter in a backstreet workshop on Pestalozzistraße. She later studied in New York and worked for a large interior design firm for two decades, before making a conscious decision to return to a smaller, independent structure. With VIVID editor Rainer Kunst, she spoke about craftsmanship, leadership, intuition, and the surprising connection between spaces and inner clarity.

Ten Backstreet Boys concerts, Invictus Games Germany, Japan Day and the Ice Hockey World Championship: D.LIVE Managing Director Michael Brill told VIVID how he and his team managed to make Düsseldorf one of Europe's most important event locations.

As CFO and COO of LFDY, Pablo Steingass is contributing to an impressive success story: in addition to five German locations, the trendy streetwear label, which started in a backyard in Flingern in 2013, now also has stores in Amsterdam, London and Paris. Pablo studied international business in Spain and Scotland, among other places, worked in New York and is fluent in four languages. The 42-year-old, who lives with his family in Flingern, appreciates not only Düsseldorf's cosmopolitan nature as he explains in this VIVID interview.

At the Max Planck Institute for Sustainable Materials in Düsseldorf, researchers are exploring ways to extend the lifespan of materials and develop more eco-friendly alternatives. Here, four of them provide insights into their work.

Flingern-Süd is bordered on three sides by railway lines running to the districts of Oberbilk, Stadtmitte and Flingern-Nord. The district was already industrialised back in the 19th century. Overall, Flingern Süd has developed into a diverse business location characterised by a blend of industrial heritage and new uses, and home to companies and creative minds. This special mix defines the district to this day.