The 20th edition of the Clusters Meet Regions series brought the European cluster community to Heilbronn-Franken, a region that demonstrates how industrial tradition and future-focused innovation can go hand in hand. Located in Baden-Württemberg, one of Germany’s most economically dynamic federal states, Heilbronn-Franken is home to a vibrant mix of family-run SMEs, global players, and hidden champions, many of whom are leading advancements in manufacturing, hydrogen technologies, and applied artificial intelligence. 

Known locally as “The Land”, the region’s strength lies not only in its industrial heritage, but in its clear-eyed commitment to transformation—grounded in long-term thinking, strong partnerships, and strategic collaboration. While uncertainty has tested regions across Europe in recent years, Heilbronn-Franken continues to move forward with focus, resilience, and innovation. 

Organised by the European Cluster Collaboration Platform (ECCP) on behalf of the European Commission, and hosted in close cooperation with Wirtschaftsförderung Raum Heilbronn GmbH, the event brought together more than 120 participants from 15 EU countries. More than a showcase, Heilbronn-Franken offered a case study on how regions can rethink their industrial identity while shaping Europe’s broader transition. 

Day 1: Transformation Starts with Connection 

The event opened with a strong message from both regional leaders and the European Commission: Heilbronn-Franken is not just adapting to industrial change, it is helping lead it. 

Patrick Dufour, (Wirtschaftsförderung Raum Heilbronn GmbH), welcomed participants by highlighting the region’s strong foundation and forward-looking mindset. He stressed that the strength of Heilbronn-Franken lies not only in its infrastructure and industrial capacity, but in the partnerships and people driving its transformation. 

“This is a region that builds bridges between sectors, generations, and between tradition and technology,” he noted. 

This message was echoed by Bernhard Feßler (Wirtschaftsregion Heilbronn-Franken GmbH), who focused on what makes the region unique: a combination of strong community ties and openness to transformation. He noted: 

“This collaborative spirit is evident in the way businesses support each other, share knowledge, and create synergies. It is this very strong community that makes Heilbronn-Franken such a vibrant place to live, work, and invest.” 

He also identified hydrogen and artificial intelligence as the drivers  behind the region’s ongoing industrial transformation: 

“We are in a profound era of change—with energy and artificial intelligence at its core. AI represents the digitisation of our collective knowledge. Now is the time to turn that into real value.” 

From a European perspective, Carolina Pedrosa Ferreira (European Commission, DG GROW) placed the regional discussion in a broader policy context. During her keynote address, she reaffirmed the strategic role of clusters in the EU’s green and digital transitions: 

“Clusters are absolutely essential to bring policy into action, with scale, speed, and strategic focus.” 

She also announced the relaunch of the EU Cluster Expert Group, designed to involve cluster practitioners more directly in shaping future innovation policy at the European level. 

Following the opening remarks, Dr. Jan-Philipp Kramer of Prognos AG presented key findings from the ECCP Input Paper, offering an evidence-based overview of Heilbronn-Franken’s position within the European innovation landscape. He described the region as a “hidden champion among European innovation ecosystems”, highlighting its strong performance in cluster strategy, cross-sectoral collaboration, and SME engagement. 

This was further illustrated by the example of TransformotiveDIALOG, a meta-cluster created through the strategic merger of the automotive, plastics, and metals networks. With 126 members, including SMEs, OEMs, R&D institutions, and universities, the cluster supports companies shifting toward e-mobility, hydrogen systems, and smart industry applications. This regional integration reflects what clusters do best: identify shared problems, pool expertise, and build collective capacity to act. And as Heilbronn’s industrial base continues to evolve, this model will remain central to securing its competitiveness. 

A local success story came from Dr. Hans Halmosi of Halmosi GmbH, who shared how his family-run company evolved from a general mechanical workshop into a specialist in high-precision, project-based engineering. 

"The future of manufacturing lies in focus, adaptability, and the courage to rethink everything—especially when the ground shifts beneath your feet,” he said.  

Dr. Halmosi also addressed broader concerns shared by many small and medium-sized companies across Europe: attracting qualified talent, responding to customer relocation, and adapting to a market where software and systems are becoming as important as machines and materials. 

These challenges were echoed in the panel on international cooperation and the role of clusters in navigating industrial transformation across borders. Moderated by Dr. Gerd Meier zu Köcker (RegioClusterAgentur BW), the panel brought together voices from across Europe: Mateja Dermastia (Anteja ECG, Slovenia), Michela Pivetta (COMET, Italy), Alexandra Wolf (WFG, Germany), David Kames (EIT Manufacturing), and Enric Pedrós (FEMAC, Spain). Speakers reflected on the changing landscape of internationalisation in the face of supply chain disruptions, geopolitical shifts, and a growing skills shortage. A recurring theme was the need to attract and retain talent across regions, and the panel underlined that clusters are essential platforms for building international partnerships and connecting SMEs with the skills, markets, and networks they need to stay competitive. 

The afternoon shifted into technical application, with three parallel workshops diving into different aspects of the hydrogen economy: 

• How to build a hydrogen region 

• Fuel switch implementation 

• Pitfalls from real-world use cases 

Participants discussed pressing barriers like fragmented regulation, limited grid capacity, and the difficulty of triggering early-stage demand. However, the sessions also surfaced promising responses, including collaborative training initiatives, the need for H2-ready infrastructure planning, and increased visibility for emerging pilot projects. 

The workshops brought into sharp focus the essential role of clusters in transforming hydrogen ambitions into reality, providing coordination and connection between industry, infrastructure, and regulation. 

Later in the afternoon, the ECCP Matchmaking session featured over 35 bilateral meetings, creating new partnerships across regions and sectors. These conversations reflected real interests: exploring Eurocluster cooperation, sharing AI adoption challenges, and connecting regional hydrogen pilot projects. The format underlined one of the event’s strongest messages: clusters create the space where ideas meet execution. 

The day’s final session turned the spotlight back to AI, with a practical presentation by Uwe Kreyenborg from Vollmer & Scheffczyk GmbH. Drawing on industry experience, he introduced an AI readiness framework for SMEs, urging companies to think beyond pilots and embed AI across functions. 

“For AI to deliver value, it must become part of how the business thinks—not just how it operates,” he said. 

Day 2: Innovation in the Field 

The second day brought participants face-to-face with the region’s innovation infrastructure. Site visits offered a tangible look at how Heilbronn-Franken puts its strategies into practice. 

At the Innovation Park Artificial Intelligence (IPAI), visitors explored how Heilbronn is building one of Europe’s largest ecosystems for applied AI. With over 60 members and partners, IPAI offers companies space, training, infrastructure, and collaborative programmes to move from AI awareness to integration. 

“It’s not just about technological infrastructure—it’s about building a community ready for an economic and societal shift,” said Sophie Rabe, representing IPAI. 

The park’s human-centric approach focuses on helping SMEs integrate AI in meaningful, scalable ways, emphasising inclusion, skills development, and cross-sector innovation.  

At the German Aerospace Center (DLR) in Lampoldshausen, participants explored how hydrogen propulsion, aerospace engineering, and climate policy intersect. As Europe intensifies efforts to reduce emissions and enhance resilience, DLR’s pioneering research is laying the groundwork for next-generation space missions and hydrogen-based clean technologies with applications far beyond the lab. 

 The site visits vividly demonstrated the event’s central message: innovation ecosystems work best when purpose unites people, ideas, and infrastructure. 

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The Clusters Meet Regions series continues in Palma, Spain, on 14–15 May 2025, where the conversation will focus on regional resilience, competitiveness, and sustainable transformation. Learn more: https://www.clustercollaboration.eu/content/clusters-meet-regions-palma-spain  

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