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Under the motto “CITY HISTORY meets INDUSTRY meets FUTURE” we invited decision-makers from industry to a panel discussion at the Cologne City Museum (Kölnisches Stadtmuseum) on March 26, 2026. Together with managing directors of leading companies from the region, we discussed Industry 2050 as well as opportunities, challenges, and concrete paths to sustainable production in Cologne.
One of our central theses is that industry belongs in the city. This is because it creates jobs close to where people live, strengthens regional value chains, and contributes to the diversity of urban areas. The challenge is to create a symbiosis of clean production, scientific institutes, and an urban environment that offers maximum benefits to the city, businesses, and citizens.
Kölle, du bes e Jeföhl – Cologne is a feeling – and the combination of living and working spaces is part of the city’s diversity. To achieve the 2035 environmental goal of carbon neutrality, Cologne must invest in clean, urban production. This also means retaining market-leading companies such as Leybold / Atlas Copco Group in the city and offering attractive conditions for attracting additional businesses.
The panel discussion with Dr. Konrad Adenauer, Mark Gabriel, Hans Gennen, Dr. Manfred Janssen, and Alexander Mertens highlighted numerous positive aspects. For example, investments in the three-digit million range empathized the confidence of the invited manufacturing companies representatives in the Cologne region as an industrial location.
FOCUS TOPICS
- Urban Production meets city history
- Global market leaders in Cologne – retaining, attracting, investing
- The future of production – yesterday, today, tomorrow
- What framework do Cologne and the surrounding region offer for industry?
DISCUSSION PARTNERS
- Mark Gabriel (Managing director, Leybold / Atlas Copco Group)
- Hans Gennen (Member of the management board, Currenta)
- Manfred Janssen (Managing director, KölnBusiness Wirtschaftsförderung)
- Alexander Mertens (Managing director, Schoeller Werk)
- Konrad Adenauer (Partner, Luther Law Firm)
MODERATION
- Matthias Hamann (Director Cologne City Museum)
- Martin Schönheit (Managing partner, Dr. Schönheit + Partner)
We would like to thank all participants for the inspiring discussion and Dr. Hamann for co-moderating the session!
