Up to 1 000 employment opportunities will be created mid-term
Nokia and Essen-based Thelen Group have agreed on the sale of Nokia’s Bochum facilities. The change in ownership of the properties in Meesmannstraße and in Rensingstraße takes effect retroactively to October 31, 2008. The new owner plans to establish a business park, where up to 1 000 jobs are expected to be created in the medium term. Both parties have agreed not to disclose the purchase price and conditions of their agreement.
The sale of Nokia’s Bochum facilities is related to the “Growth for Bochum” program, which the government of North Rhine-Westphalia (NRW), Nokia and the city of Bochum jointly agreed on in June, 2008. The objectives of this program are to stimulate growth, create new jobs and generate investment for Bochum and the immediate region.
“We appreciate the investment of Thelen, proving that “Growth for Bochum” is a successful development program. Thelen is an experienced real estate company that has already realized many successful projects in a difficult market environment. We are convinced that Thelen is the right partner for the development of this area,” said Kristian Pullola, Vice President, Treasury, Nokia and head of the “Growth for Bochum” team at Nokia.
Thelen is one of the leading real estate companies with a leading portfolio in the Ruhr area and activities throughout Germany. The company is headquartered in Essen and has subsidiaries in Berlin and Rastatt. Thelen provides development and leasing solutions for real estates.
“The facilities in Meesmannstraße and Rensingstraße are a perfect fit to our portfolio. We plan to provide the business locations within the park to investors with a long-term business approach. If the park is fully utilized by companies, we expect that up to 1 000 people would be employed here,” said Wolfgang Thelen, managing partner of the Thelen Group.
Nokia and the Thelen Group have announced they intend to work closely together with the transfer company, PEAG, which was implemented for the employees affected by the closure of Nokia’s Bochum site. The objective is to look for opportunities for new employment of former Nokia employees.
Furthermore, Nokia will contribute the net proceeds of the sale of the properties of the production site to the “Growth for Bochum” program.
“Already in springtime, when we discussed together with Nokia about the “Growth for Bochum” program for the first time, the company promised to act in a responsible manner after the closure of its Bochum site and to support the stimulation of growth potential and employment opportunities. We are glad that Nokia kept its promise by selling its facilities to the business park specialist, Thelen Group. The NRW Government is convinced that Nokia’s former properties in Bochum will have a promising development future under the management of the Thelen Group,” stated Christa Thoben, Minister for Economic Affairs NRW.
Lord Mayor of Bochum, Otilie Scholz added that the investment of Thelen proves Bochum is a city worth investing in. “Regarding infrastructure, qualification of employees and the proximity to the millions of potential customers in the Rhein-Ruhr-area, Bochum offers an ideal environment for investment. We are glad that the Thelen Group will create an industrial park for companies who plan long-term investments in Bochum.”
Gisela Achenbach, head of Nokia Bochum works council, added: “The creation of the industrial estates enables us to have a positive outlook on the future. We hope that also former colleagues, who have not found new jobs, will seek employment with the companies that come to the industrial park.”
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