NEANDER – innovator in Schleswig-Holstein

19th August 2015

Small and medium-sized businesses providing strong innovatory impulses? Of course! State Secretary and Commissioner of Schleswig-Holstein to the Federation Ralph Müller-Beck was able to see that for himself during his visit of NEANDER Shark’s premises on 18th of August 2015. He visited the offices of the Kieler engineering company in the legendary Iconic Smithy W8, the former production site of the German comic hero “Werner”.

Currently the building is a colourful workplace for nearly 100 people in roundabout 35 companies, many of which working in creative areas like digital media designer, artists, photographers, printing services, software engineers, and many more. The creative and unconventional atmosphere of the “W8” is certainly unique to Kiel and has undoubtedly played a major role in inspiring the passionate work of the NEANDER team.

The “W8” – more than just an office building

Mr Müller-Beck was impressed by the developmental status of the worldwide first turbo charged diesel outboard engine, which is currently being put to the acid test of the so-called validation phase. This involves endurance tests at Selva Marine, our production partner in Northern Italy and also at the University of Applied Sciences in Munich. Further standardized tests in operation will be carried out on the river Weser by Fassmer, a company located in Berne.

State Secretary Müller-Beck was also inspired by the strong bond with the Federal Land Schleswig-Holstein which can be felt all over the halls of the “W8”. Therefore he insisted in looking at the newly published illustrated book by photographer Oliver Franke, who also has set up his headquarters here.

Lutz W. Lester and State Secretary Ralph Müller-Beck (from the left)

Lutz W. Lester and Ralph Müller-Beck (from the left)

This combination of highly innovative technology on the one hand and passion for our beautiful Federal Land on the other are impressions which Mr Ralph Müller-Beck has carried away with him and – being a born-and-bred Schleswig-Holsteiner – will certainly also take to Berlin.