The Economy

Today Mülheim an der Ruhr possesses a many-faceted industry, orientated towards export which places great emphasis on innovative technology. Some great names in industry and trade are connected with Mülheim, among them Stinnes, Mannesmann steel tubes and Tengelmann.
Up to the beginning of the 19th century, Mülheim"s economic structure was determined by agriculture and forestry. Then, with the industrialization of the Ruhr area, Mülheim became the transfer point for coal from the entire region and the leading shipping center on the river Ruhr.
During the heyday of the shipping industry some companies (to be mentioned in this context are Thyssen and Stinnes trading company) had arisen to such a size, that Mülheim"s industry still retained a very strong position, when coal transport was relocated to the railway. Branches of AEG and Siemens were established in Mülheim. From the mutual interests of both in power stations the KWU emerged, which today belongs to the Siemens concern and, together with the Mannesmann tube works, is still one of the largest employers in the city. In the 1960s Mülheim was badly affected by the structural crisis in the Ruhr area. It was the first town in the whole Ruhr area, where all collieries were closed down. During this period, however, it was possible to create a healthy and varied economic structure which today provides the basis for the city"s future.
The repurchase and development of a large area of industrial reserve land in Mülheim"s Rhein-Ruhr harbour contributed to this as well as the transforming of the derelict land of closed collieries. For example, the Rhein Ruhr shopping centre (RRZ) is built on a former colliery site.

Mülheim an der Ruhr hosts two Max Planck Institutes (Coal research and Bioanorganic chemistry) and has two universities in close proximity. The traffic connections are excellent and the city has an airport. Mülheim an der Ruhr represents a modern, forward-looking city in the Ruhr region.