Pharma Instead of Stagnation: New Year Kickoff by IHK and Economic Development

The Saarlouis Economic Development and the IHK Saarland invited to the economic policy kickoff of the year at the RAG representation in Ensdorf. The location was deliberately chosen—and it fit.

Outside: old mining walls. Inside: a modern, glass-walled space.

A building-within-a-building concept that not only describes transformation but makes it visible. The architects have made a strong statement here. The contrast between industrial history and clear, modern architecture was impressive. Along with attentive service, excellent catering, and an organization that functioned smoothly from reception to closing remarks, this is how a New Year kickoff should look.

Saarlouis in Transition

In their opening, the IHK emphasized how symbolic this location is for Saarlouis. After coal and Ford, the site is searching for a new industrial identity. The establishment of Vetter Pharma on parts of the old Ford site is more than a business decision—it is a signal.

A signal to skilled workers. A signal to investors. A signal to the region itself.

Vetter could become an important employer—especially in a district that has had to endure structural changes in recent years.

Pharma as a Core Industry

Prof. Dr. Jochen Maas (House of Pharma & Healthcare) made it clear: Pharma is not a niche. It is a core industry and a global growth market. Germany needs an economic restart, he said—more cooperation in Europe, closer integration of science and business. Innovation does not occur in silos.

That an internationally active company like Vetter chooses Saarland fits this picture. It strengthens the industrial profile of the region—alongside steel, automotive, and the Green-Steel initiatives, now also Pharma.

Why Saarland?

In a practical dialogue, representatives from Vetter—including Mr. Otto and Mr. Rübekahl—explained their motivations.

Vetter is a globally leading full-service provider in the pharmaceutical industry. From a pharmacy operation to a global player—this development stands for long-term thinking. And that is exactly what the company is looking for at the location.

Loyal employees. Long-term employment relationships. Various job profiles.

Noteworthy is the percentage of women at Vetter: around 60 percent of the workforce are women. In an industry still often considered technically oriented and male-dominated, this is not a side note. It shows that modern production and pharmaceutical companies are already differently structured—more diverse, broadly qualified, structurally open.

For the Saarlouis location, this means: Not only jobs are created, but long-term perspectives for different professional groups—in production, technology, quality assurance, administration, and development.

A three-shift model is planned for the future. This creates industrial continuity and, above all, many jobs for the district. Especially after the loss of major employers, this is a crucial factor. This is not about symbolic politics but about real employment.

Regional companies will also benefit. Vetter has clearly signaled a desire to collaborate with local businesses—from construction and technology to maintenance and infrastructural services. Value creation should not occur in isolation but in cooperation with the region.

The development of an autonomous production site is planned in Saarlouis, to be realized in stages. The master plan envisions up to 20 production lines. This is not a test balloon.

Or, as Mr. Rübekahl put it: “Vetter is here to stay.”

Political Presence

Among those present were our Mayor Marc Speicher, representatives of the IHK Saarland, the press, and Markus Weber, Mayor of Schwalbach—the location of our company. The broad political presence underscores the importance of this establishment for the region.

The event was more than a formal New Year kickoff. It was a positioning.

Saarland is not facing industrial decline but a reorganization. With Vetter, a company is coming that plans long-term, thinks internationally, and wants to build local structures.

Transformation is often discussed abstractly. In Saarlouis, it was concrete.