Schiedam's Mechatronica Innovation Campus gets major boost from regional partnership
A new mechatronics innovation hub in Schiedam is set to transform the region's economy, creating jobs and fostering collaboration between businesses and education. Around 30 organizations have committed to the project, aiming to strengthen South Holland's competitive edge in advanced manufacturing.
| Key Data Point | Details |
|---|---|
| Project Name | Mechatronica Innovation Campus Schiedam (MICS) |
| Location | 's-Gravelandsepolder, Schiedam, Zuid-Holland |
| Partners Involved | ~30 (businesses, educational institutions, governments) |
| Key Organizations | Rotterdam-The Hague Metropolitan Region (MRDH), Innovation Quarter, Province of South Holland |
| Steering Group Lead | Doekle Terpstra (former chairman of Techniek Nederland) |
| Nearby Transport Hub | Intercity trains, metro, buses, trams, A20/A13/A4 highways |
| Educational Institutions | Rotterdam University of Applied Sciences, Expertise Centre Precision Technology, Mikrocentrum |
| Companies Relocating | Metrohm Applikon, Boers & Co |
| Housing Development | 4,000 homes planned as part of SchieDistrict area development |
| Economic Radius | 3 million potential employees within 30 km |
The Rotterdam-The Hague Metropolitan Region (MRDH) plays a pivotal role in driving economic growth and innovation in South Holland. By facilitating public-private partnerships, the MRDH aims to strengthen regional competitiveness and create sustainable employment opportunities. The Mechatronica Innovation Campus Schiedam aligns with this mission by fostering collaboration between industry and education.
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Metropolitan Region Supports Mechatronica Innovation Campus Schiedam
Around thirty representatives from the business community, educational institutions, and governments signed an agreement on March 12, 2026, to jointly support the development of MICS, the Mechatronica Innovation Campus Schiedam. Trade associations from the mechatronics sector, the regional development company Innovation Quarter, and the Province of South Holland also indicated their support for the campus development during this occasion. This cooperation agreement for the campus represents a significant boost for the innovative manufacturing industry and employment in the region.
The cooperation agreement is an initiative from the Rotterdam-The Hague Metropolitan Region, MRDH. Last autumn, the MRDH appointed Doekle Terpstra, former chairman of Techniek Nederland, to conduct an exploration of the campus taking shape in Schiedam. Terpstra subsequently formed a steering group with representatives from the business community and education. The cooperation agreement now in place is the result of this steering group. By signing it, the approximately thirty involved parties confirm their long-term commitment to a strong, innovative, and future-proof manufacturing industry in the region.
“This region has gold in its hands,” said Doekle Terpstra earlier in an MRDH podcast about the development of the campus in Schiedam. MICS is the hotspot for mechatronics in South Holland and can therefore play a key role in strengthening the economic position of this region. To remain internationally competitive, it is necessary to invest now in innovation, talent development, and collaboration.
Strategic Location
Mayor Harald Bergmann points to the strategic location of the campus in the ’s-Gravelandsepolder. “Within walking distance of a major public transport hub with intercity trains, metro, buses, and trams, with the A20, A13, and A4 highways nearby. Add to that the fact that MICS is located in a regional cluster of internationally operating mechatronics companies and close to talent. Within a 30-kilometer radius of MICS, there are universities of applied sciences, vocational schools, universities, and three million potential employees. An additional advantage is that the Municipality of Schiedam, with the area development SchieDistrict, is not only developing a future-proof business park with a campus but also around 4,000 homes,” said Mayor Bergmann, indicating that the MRDH has clearly taken on its role as a driver of the regional economy with this exploration.
A New Standard for Work Locations
The development of MICS contributes to an attractive business climate, a better connection between education and the labor market, and a stronger regional earning capacity. MICS will be the new standard for work locations: with ample opportunities for meetings, knowledge sharing, collaboration, and the development of innovative products. Various educational institutions are already active on MICS, such as Rotterdam University of Applied Sciences, Expertise Centre Precision Technology, and Mikrocentrum. In June, the first new building was completed for Metrohm Applikon. This year, construction will begin on a new building for mechatronics company Boers & Co, which will relocate to the campus. The MICS campus is being developed in collaboration with SDK Vastgoed and is one of the projects within SchieDistrict. The area development SchieDistrict aims to give a significant boost to housing, employment, and the economy, thereby creating broad societal prosperity for Schiedam and the region. Everyone should be able to live, work, stay, and develop here.