The expectations on key issues, such as the future need for skilled workers, targeted networking of business and science in key technologies or the need for space and infrastructure, should provide information on the measures with which the district of Ludwigsburg can actively shape its economic development. The survey focuses primarily on sectors that characterize the district and are undergoing a profound transformation. In particular, companies from the production sector, knowledge-intensive service industries and the skilled trades have a strong impact on the entire economy of the district and are an important target group for the survey. However, companies from other sectors are also invited to take part in the survey. "It is important for us to be able to directly ask about the needs of our entrepreneurs," says District Administrator Dietmar Allgaier. "Ultimately, the future strategy should result in clearly implementable measures that support the companies in the district in their further development."
Company survey as an important intermediate step towards the future strategy
The survey is a key component of the large-scale strategy process that the district economic development agency launched in the fall of 2024. The close cooperation with the consulting firm VDI/VDE Innovation + Technik GmbH brings in extensive expert knowledge in technology, innovation and business to develop a tailor-made strategy that meets the specific requirements of companies in the Ludwigburg district. Over the past few months, the experts have analyzed the research and development activities and investments of companies in the future fields of the German economy in order to gain a picture of the ongoing transformation. Dr. Gerd Meier zu Köcker, responsible project manager at the consulting firm, states: "There are clear trends that companies are investing heavily in digital and sustainable technologies for intelligent production and mobility solutions. The green economy is also increasingly seen as a promising business area." The company survey that has now been launched will examine the consequences of the changes in the economy and what new requirements companies have of the Ludwigsburg district and the local framework conditions. Once the survey has been completed, the results will be discussed in greater depth at a company workshop. This will provide a comprehensive picture of the needs of the economy.
Close cooperation between all stakeholders to shape the future
A large number of stakeholders from almost all cities and municipalities as well as the district administration, chambers and business associations, the educational landscape, the employment agency and the Stuttgart region are involved in actively shaping the location of the future. In cooperation with these stakeholders, local obstacles and requirements for further economic development are to be analyzed in order to find joint solutions. In order to incorporate these perspectives into the strategy development, the district organized a strategy workshop in January. The topics of skilled workers, space and infrastructure in particular, as well as strengthening the image of the location and more intensive cooperation between administration and business were of great importance here, which is also reflected in the topics of the current survey.
High-caliber committees secure expert knowledge
Important impetus is also provided by a high-caliber panel of experts on the future strategy. This includes representatives from the management boards of major companies in the district, such as Dürr, Bosch, Porsche, Mann + Hummel and Wüstenrot & Württembergische. In a personal dialog with District Administrator Dietmar Allgaier, the business representatives contribute their ideas and suggestions for further development directly.
Great importance is also attached to the steering committee of the district economic development agency, which is made up of representatives of the district savings bank, the company Gebrüder Lotter and Wüstenrot Bauparkasse as well as mayors of the district, the Chamber of Industry and Commerce, the district craftsmen's association, the employment agency and the Stuttgart Region Economic Development Agency. The involvement of these institutions and regional companies is a decisive advantage of the strategy process, particularly with a view to subsequent feasibility.
The link to the company survey: https: //app11.vdivde-it.de/goto/Unternehmensbefragung_Ludwigsburg
