From energy efficiency to sustainability and "New Work"

How can companies position themselves for the future, even in uncertain times? Almost 90 experts from business, science and politics from all over Central Germany discussed this question yesterday in Jena. The Jena Economic Development Agency hosted a supra-regional network meeting to present best practices for company expansion, future-proof production and new working environments.
When companies want to expand or relocate, they have to overcome a number of challenges. Not only entrepreneurial aspects and, above all, the company's own financial budget play a role. Geopolitical and local conditions also pose challenges. Yesterday's workshop provided important impetus on how companies can optimize their location planning. Together with experts from the consultancy Drees & Sommer, more than 80 companies from Jena, Thuringia and Central Germany discussed which strategic ideas and operational measures companies can use to prepare themselves optimally for the future.

The current shortage of space, lack of skilled workers, high construction and energy costs, inflation and rising interest rates are creating uncertainty for the local economy. Despite these challenges, around 750 million euros have been invested in Jena in recent years. Many companies are currently considering how and whether to continue their growth. According to Wilfried Röpke, Managing Director of Wirtschaftsförderung Jena, the course must be set now:

"We want to be optimally equipped so that companies' investment activities can pick up speed again as they did before the pandemic," says Röpke. Jena must offer the necessary framework conditions for this.

This basic attitude was also confirmed by the Mayor of Jena, Dr. Thomas Nitzsche, who gave a welcoming speech at the event:

"We know that we currently only have a very limited supply of commercial space in Jena - around 98 percent is occupied." This applies equally to rental and purchase space. According to the Lord Mayor, the reserved commercial areas in Jena's land use plan must therefore be developed quickly, but we must also look beyond the municipal boundaries: "As a city, we can continue to develop primarily as part of a strong technology region," said Nitzsche. This requires cooperation with surrounding municipalities and neighboring districts.

Both local authorities and companies often benefit from an outside perspective when making complex decisions, as Andreas Rost, Associate Partner at consultancy firm Drees & Sommer, also knows:

"We accompany such processes purely rationally, show comprehensive optimization possibilities and thus support optimal location and company development."

This specialist expertise covers a wide range of topics from construction practice and energy efficiency to the requirements of the new world of work in order to remain attractive for skilled workers.

For example, the specialist presentations provided an insight into how companies can develop or implement suitable sustainability strategies and the benefits that result from this. They also discussed how production processes can be made "smart" - i.e. as efficient, long-term and resource-saving as possible. Among other things, Andreas Rost reported on the most important factors - from user requirements to quality assurance - for successfully launching a new production site. The topic of the office market was not neglected either - opportunities and developments for the office space of the future were discussed.
Overall, the Thuringian business experts in attendance were given a comprehensive insight and a wide range of food for thought on future issues from sustainability to "New Work". The event was supported with funds from the municipal working group Impulsregion Erfurt-Weimar-Jena-Weimarer Land.