Business

Since ore mining began in the 12th century, the Erzgebirge (Ore Mountains) have undergone dynamic economic development. The economic advantage of producing resources locally, the inventiveness of the Erzgebirge highlanders as well as poverty have given rise to the emergence of a great variety of new crafts and industries parallel with mining and as a replacement for mining after its decline.

In order to make a living, miners and their families often made household objects in addition to, or instead of, their work in the mine. Articles produced included bobbin-lace, turned or carved wooden utensils, passementeries and toys, pyramids and mechanical Christmas mountains, which were modelled on mines and featured biblical motifs. These products make up the image of the “Weihnachtsland Erzgebirge” (Land of Christmas) to this day.

What is less well-known is the fact that, as a result of 700 years of silver, bismuth and cobalt mining, and coal and finally uranium extraction, processing industries have evolved which helped to form the industrial centres around Freiberg, Chemnitz and Zwickau. The metallurgical process, the manufacture of semi-finished products, and the making of tools, machinery, electrical appliances and vehicles resulted in the development of a great variety of industries.

Metal processing, and the textile and timber industries developed, using the natural resources of the Erzgebirge (Ore Mountains): timber and water power.
The small and medium-sized craft and industrial enterprises represent an extraordinary variety of sectors. The natural resources as well as innovation in engineering and technology are the basis for the branches of business and industry found today. A dense network of transport links connects highly urbanized regions with more than 200 inhabitants per square km with the industrial centres.

The innovative products of the region include tools, machinery and components, metal and plastic parts for the automotive industry, and an increasing volume of computer chips and micromechanical products.

The “Land of Christmas”, therefore, is just one facet of this economic region.

Regional enterprises and the services and products they provide can be found in the companies database. Services of the Wirtschaftsförderung (which promotes business and enterprises in the region) as well as information on industrial zones and business properties can be found via the right-hand menu bar.