Economical

Helmond is an ambitious, dynamic and fast growing city situated in the most knowledge intensive region of the Nethererlands: the top technology region Brainport Eindhoven / Southeast-Netherlands. In a recent investigation by order of the Ministery of Economic Affairs Helmond is presented as the fastest growing city with respect to R&D-intensity . Absolutely Helmond ranks seventh in research and development expenditure.

Major industries in Helmond are automotive and food. However also in the fields of (industrial) design, mechatronics, metal and construction strong clusters are present.

Strategic situation
Helmond is very favourable situated: central on the Rotterdam/Antwerp-Ruhr Valley corridor and close to the borders with neighbouring countries Germany and Belgium. Helmond belongs to the European Interregio Brabant-Limburg and the Eindhoven-Leuven-Aken Knowledge Triangle (ELAT). The city is easily accessible and offers good connections to other parts of The Netherlands, Germany and Belgium. Helmond is close to the main highways A2 (Amsterdam-Maastricht-Aachen/Liege) and A67 (Antwerp-Eindhoven-Venlo-Duisburg/Ruhr Valley). For shipping Helmond is accessible through the Zuid-Willemsvaart canal. Eindhoven Airport can be found at less than 20 kilometers from Helmond.

Characteristics (2005)