Milestones
Our network was founded in 2006.
A lot has happened since then.
Here you can find out more about some of the milestones of the past few years.
This starts with the promotion of young talent and extends to the negotiation of purchasing conditions, cross-company knowledge exchange and joint projects.
2025
NIRO: all new digital
Our NIRO app was launched on February 1, 2025 and replaced the NIRO Knowledge.
We use this digital communication and information platform to manage our events, provide information on news from our network, make documents on key topics available and enable our members to exchange information via a modern digital channel.
Our NIRO app is clear and user-friendly and can be used with a smartphone or in a browser version on a computer.
2024
NIRO moves
NIRO is moving to the Port of Dortmund at the beginning of 2024, where the new industrial campus is being developed.
In close partnership with the Digital Workbench, we use the large event room and the separate seminar room for our networking activities.
The room is also available to our members once a year free of charge.
NIRO is finalizing the “proWeiterbildung PLUS” project in cooperation with the Wirtschaftsförderungsgesellschaft für den Kreis Unna mbH. It stands for a strong further training network in our region. companies can use the new digital platform, fill out 41 competence models to determine the further training needs of individual job profiles and use their new contacts from networking events.
2023
NIRO: Sustainable and with a new strategy
With our sustainability report, we are visible for the first time in the database of the German Sustainability Code (DNK), where the report on NIRO’s sustainability-oriented network work can be viewed in detail.
Following the NaLiMa project, our new sustainability working group is being set up. It works on an interdisciplinary and cross-company basis. The most important results will be made available to all members in a brochure.
NIRO is working intensively on its strategy, defining a new mission and a new vision. Instead of thematic work based on fields of action, the focus is increasingly on opening up areas of opportunity.
2022
NIRO: Bringing sustainability into the network
At the annual meeting of the “go-cluster” program on 20 October 2022, our network was selected as ClusterERFOLG 2022 with its contribution “Bringing sustainability into the network”. The golden Buddy Bear now lives with us.
The project “Sustainable supplier management in accordance with the DNK standard – a purchasing pool on the way to a sustainability report” (NaLiMa for short) created the basis for this.
The NIRO regulars’ table is a highlight in our anniversary year. On May 5, 2022, old hands, experienced networkers, companions and young talents will meet to reminisce, but also to think about today and tomorrow.
2021
Track record and 15 years of NIRO
The current account, which each of our member companies receives annually, clearly shows the monetary benefits of membership through the use of our framework agreements.
NIRO was founded on November 6, 2006 and is celebrating its 15th anniversary in November 2021 with many special events and activities. At the 15th general meeting, which will take place on November 11, 2021 at Wilo in Dortmund, there will be a big birthday cake.
2020
NIRO: flexible, planned and strategic
To visualize our comprehensive network work, the NIRO network roadmap is being developed to provide an overview of our thematic priorities and interfaces.
NIRO reacted to the coronavirus crisis early on: the majority of our networking events are taking place online. During the pandemic, our online formats “Kurz vor Feierabend” and the “NIRO-Schaufenster” as well as individual exchanges of experience such as the “Corona Jour fixe” are reaching a larger audience.
2019
NIRO at the cutting edge
byNIRO GmbH gets a new internet presence.
Here, non-members can find out more about how they can take advantage of the onepower purchasing pool and find out about Academy offers.
NIRO is presented as a selected network in the nationwide cluster week. go-cluster presents our network nationally at the Hannover Messe.
2018
NIRO: New working groups and award for 12 years of membership
There are new working groups, including IT, lean, maintenance, occupational safety, quality management and management assistants.
At our general meeting, member companies are honored for 12 years of membership for the first time: AB Elektronik GmbH, Böcker AG, KHS GmbH, Montanhydraulik GmbH, Dortmund University of Technology / Institute for Production Systems (IPS), Wirtschaftsförderungsgesellschaft für den Kreis Unna mbH, Dortmund Chamber of Industry and Commerce as well as Neuhäuser GmbH and Unternehmensverband Westfalen-Mitte e. V. complete the dozen.
2017
NIRO presents itself in a new light
With a new internet presence, our network presents itself digitally and visually in a new way. Our homepage is getting a relaunch.
New events are developed. The “Guss-Fachtag” is held for the first time and very successfully brings together experts from purchasing, development and production.
2016
NIRO enters the race
Together and yet in sporting competition: the PEP working group initiates a major event at the go-kart race track with creativity and full power. The HR and PEP working groups compete against each other in the race.
2015
NIRO stays on course for Industry 4.0
At the members’ meeting at the end of 2014, our network focused on Industry 4.0 and made this a key topic of network work in the following year with its own working group.
2014
NIRO opens up
Our network also makes selected services available to non-member companies via byNIRO GmbH.
This year, the onepower purchasing pool recorded a total turnover of around 25 million euros with 28 framework agreements with NIRO members and byNIRO customers. Sharing experiences with each other at various events is also becoming more important.
The NIRO Academy is expanded and launches its online platform, which includes 25 further training courses in the seminar program.
2013
NIRO receives award
Our network receives the Robert Jungk Prize and is honored for its civic engagement. The jury finds NIRO’s commitment to corporate social responsibility particularly commendable.
NIRO is a member of “go-cluster”, the cluster policy excellence measure of the Federal Ministryfor Economic Affairs and Energy(BMWE), which brings together the most efficient national cluster management organizations. We undergo the certification process of the European Cluster Excellence Initiative (ECEI) for the first time and receive the bronze label.
2012
NIRO develops new formats
Our network expands and opens up to non-member companies with selected services. byNIRO GmbH is founded as a wholly-owned subsidiary of our network. The NIRO Academy is designed by production companies for production companies and launches as a management academy with numerous training courses for purchasing managers, a program for trainee agents and much more.
“PEP to go” refers to “product development processes to go”: there is a first PEP-to-go trip for developers, which offers insights into the development processes of the member companies on site.
2011
NIRO celebrates its 5th anniversary
In 2011, we are celebrating 5 years of NIRO. The highlight of our summer party is an exciting race between the working groups at Dortmund racecourse.
The graduates of the first mechanical engineering/mechatronics course at the University of Cooperative Education in the district of Unna are given a ceremonial send-off.
2010
NIRO enables a trusting exchange
Cooperation can secure jobs: In our network, two member companies are exchanging employees for the first time, based on a previously negotiated collective agreement.
The exchange of knowledge is given a digital platform in our network: the online database “NIRO Knowledge” for document management and exchange can be used by all members.
2009
NIRO presents itself
Our network regularly presents itself at Hannover Messe Industrie in order to make the advantages visible.
NIRO also presents itself abroad at international conferences in Brazil, Sweden, Spain and Algeria.
2008
NIRO is not standing still - further working groups get started
The Product Development working group carries out a benchmark analysis of production processes in our member companies.
Our new Innovation working group is conducting 24 audits on “low-waste production” with benchmark trips to some of our member companies.
Framework agreements for general cargo and parcels are concluded in the Shipping, Foreign Trade and Logistics working group.
2007
NIRO picks up speed - start of the working groups
The Human Resources working group initiates the first vocational academy in the district of Unna with dual training for engineers.
Our first working groups are established. The Purchasing working group completes the first bundled electricity tender.
2006
Founding NIRO - Developing the future together
The new association of manufacturing companies from the metal, mechanical engineering and electrical engineering sectors is a product of the “Factory Automation Competence Center” funding project. It was funded by the European Union (ERDF), the state of North Rhine-Westphalia and the Unna District Economic Development Corporation (Wirtschaftsförderungsgesellschaft für den Kreis Unna mbH).
Eight companies from the districts of Unna, Dortmund and Hamm are breaking down borders. They are opening up a completely new form of cooperation: in a close network, they want to share experiences and resources, coordinate procurements, work together on developments and complement each other in opening up international markets. Our association “Netzwerk Industrie RuhrOst e. V.” is therefore founded on November 6, 2006.