Berlin Adlershof: High technology, skilled employees and openness as key success factors

Germany's largest science and technology park remains an important pillar of Berlin's economy

The Berlin Adlershof Science and Technology Park continued its positive development in 2023. Revenues and budget funds grew by a solid 7.1% to € 3.9 billion (2022: € 3.6 billion). The number of employees remained largely stable at around 28,000. Additionally, there are approximately 6,400 students (2022: 6,600). The Adlershof Science and Technology Park is divided into three areas: Core Area, Growth Area and Media City.

In the core area of the science and technology park, which is primarily home to high-tech companies, the turnover of around 590 companies increased by as much as 10% to 1.24 billion euros last year. Around 9,400 people were employed in the core area in 2023. This was 3.1% more than in the previous year. The number of companies in the core area grew slightly.

The revenues and budgetary resources of the approximately 510 companies and organisations in the growth area increased by 6.1% in 2023, amounting to 1.77 billion euros. However, the number of employees decreased slightly by 1.4% to 11,300.

The number of companies in the media city rose to 230, while the number of employees fell to 3,300. Revenue increased by 1.2% to 462 million euros. The number of so-called permanent freelancers fell significantly from 1,200 to 900.

The funding and third-party funds of the Adlershof-based institutions of Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin (HU) amounted to 41 million euros, with core funding at 66 million euros. For the non-university institutes, budget funds amounted to 238 million euros, with third-party funds at 68.4 million euros. The total number of employees in the scientific institutions was 4,000.

The business outlook fort he year 2024 remains positive according to companies in the Science and Technology Park, with only minor shifts compared to the previous year. 45% anticipate  an increase in revenue, while around 41% of companies expect revenue to remain stable. Only 14% of companies expect a decrease in revenue.

Among the so-called soft location factors, the image of Adlershof as a high-tech location was assessed as relevant and very good, consistent with previous years. Access to qualified labour at the location, as well as cooperative  relationships, are still rated as good by companies. However, there were some reductions in quality compared to the previous year, attributable to the general shortage  of skilled employees, as well as the effects oft he coronavirus pandemic and the consequent changes in work patterns.

In order to continue supporting companies in the Adlershof Science and Technology Park in their economic growth efforts, the current obstacles to growth for Adlershof-based companies were identified. Here, the dominant issuses were talent acquisition and personnel development. Cost increases (e.g. in personnel and rents) followed at a considerable distance as a further factor. Topics such as the political environment and economic trends were also mentioned.

Building on this, respondents were asked about the measures and initiatives that would most directly and indirectly support companies and organisations at the location in their future development. When asked about direct location-related measures, three aspects were mentioned most frequently:

further expansion of the digital infrastructure, initiatives in the training and further education of employees, including measures for talent acquisition, and the promotion of local knowledge exchange and innovation. Additionally, the promotion of employee health and well-being was also consideres significant.

The most important initiatives that would continue to indirectly strengthen companies, businesses most frequently cited the enhancement of site identity and networking, including leveraging synergies in the Adlershof Technology Park. The positioning of Adlershof as an international, open-minded location was also deemed important. The strengthening and further development of the site's industry profile were assessed as effective initiatives.

For Roland Sillmann, Managing Director of WISTA Management GmbH, the survey results illustrate what drives the Adlershof Technology Park and makes it an outstanding location: “As site management, we can observe that the Technology Park constitutes ist own exceptional ecosystem. It is successful due to the interaction of diverse factors. Adlershof's high technology provides solutions to our problems – whether it's a pandemic or climate change. And high-tech companies ensure the long-term economic success of the Technology Park. The key to achieving such solutions is first and foremost a demand-orientated infrastructure as a basis. Additional essential success factors include a focus on employees, local networks, and tolerance. This isvconfirmed by the survey. All of these components have always been the key factors here in Adlershof – but they are not self-sustaining. This is where our activity as a management company, together with the companies and organisations on-site, comes into play.”

Sillmann continues: “Internationality in particular is of outstanding importance for the success of the technology park. Adlershof's reputation, efficiency and resilience are essentially dependent on the fact that we are open to the world and offer a tolerant environment. Products developed here, from solar cells to microchips and high-performance lasers, are so successful because people from all over the world and from different disciplines contribute their skills and knowledge together. This must be maintained so that the Technology Park remains successful in the future.”

Franziska Giffey, Senator for Economic Affairs, Energy and Public Enterprises, assesses the importance of Adlershof-based companies within the overall Berlin economy: “The south-east of Berlin is growing. Treptow-Köpenick is one of the fastest growing districts in terms of population, company relocations, and jobs. This is exemplified by the Adlershof science and technology park. It remains on a growth path, with its attraction to talent and bright minds and its proximity to scientific institutions being crucial success factors for a knowledge-based industry. This demonstrates what it takes to develop Berlin and Brandenburg as a joint metropolitan region into the number one innovation centre in Europe. Adlershof's high technology and knowledge-based economy are already contributing to the stability of the Berlin economy, outperforming the federal average. We embody this principle of success at all 11 future locations throughout the city.”

Prof Dr Mathias Richter, head of the Adlershof site of the Physikalisch-Technische Bundesanstalt and board member of the research network IGAFA e.V. states: “Adlershof's scientific institutions are a magnet for numerous international researchers. Last year, for example, 538 international guest researchers conducted long-term research in Adlershof; researchers from 22 different countries lived in the IGAFA's international guest houses. They all come to the 18 Adlershof research facilities to advance topics of the future and sustainability such as efficient solar cells and energy storage, the recycling of raw materials or quantum, laser and semiconductor technology. Research facilities like the synchrotron radiation source BESSY II, typically hostingmore than 2,000 users annually, also contribute to this effort.. The attractiveness of science in Adlershof is evident in the recent appointments at the research institutions. For example, both the Max Born Institute for Nonlinear Optics and Short Pulse Spectroscopy and the Ferdinand Braun Institute - Leibniz Institute for High Frequency Technology have recruited new institute directors with international backgrounds and industrial experience in Prof Dr Nathalie Picqué and Prof Dr Patrick Scheele.”

• Full facts and figures

Contact:

Cindy Böhme
Company Spokesperson
WISTA Management GmbH
Rudower Chaussee 17, 12489 Berlin

Phone: +49 30 6392-2191
Mobile: +49 171 9886 230
Email: cindy.boehme(at)wista.de
www.wista.de
www.adlershof.de

Press release, WISTA Management GmbH, 25 March 2024