Bielefeld - East Westphalia's leading business location

With almost 340,000 inhabitants and an area of 258 sqkm, Bielefeld is the main centre of East Westfalia Lippe. This region has one of the highest economic growth rates in Germany. Around 135,000 local employees and over 57,000 daily commuters in Bielefeld offer optimal conditions for successful businesses. A healthy mix of industries, a well-trained workforce and an excellent infrastructure are particularly attractive to medium sized enterprises.

Numerous long-established companies of world renown attest to the quality of the town as the predominant business location. Bielefeld’s industrial development has been based on linen. Textile and clothing manufacture, with mechanical engineering for these industries, has helped the town to economic prosperity. Companies from the food, luxury consumables, printing and clothing sectors, from the building and construction industry and mechanical engineering have settled here. The presence of firms such as Dr. Oetker, Seidensticker, Gundlach-Group, Dürkopp-Adler, DMG Mori, Schüco, Goldbeck, JAB Anstoetz and Dr. Wolff Group (Alcina) demonstrates Bielefeld's wide range of industrial activities.

Approximately 23% of employees work in manufacturing and around 76% in service industries. With the von Bodelschwingh Institution at Bethel and the Johanneswerk, Bielefeld houses the largest community care facilities in Europe.

For all economic development, location and business advice, please contact:

For detailed information about the economic area East Westphalia click Chamber of Industry and Commerce .