The Bergisch "Institut für Produktentwicklung and Innovationsmanagement" ("Bergisch Institute for Product Development and Innovation Management") was founded on 15th July 2004 in Solingen. Since the founding of a sponsorship organisation by companies of the region, companies, the, Bergische Universität, the town, the Chamber of Trade and Industry and other associations have developed a practical concept to assist and strengthen local companies and thus the location as a whole.

As a university institute within the competence centre Product Design Forum in the former Solingen main railway station, the Institute paves the way to new product design techniques for small and medium-sized companies who often have inadequate capacity for such development activities. University students are here also brought into contact with the world of business and production. This "marriage" of business and science hopes to give rise to decisive structural impulses, together with an additional quality advantage by means of experimentation with visionary design and an extension of the product range.

Further tasks of the Institute include consultation and coaching of companies, further development of processes of product development, specialised events, education and further training, a forum for exchange and company networks. Research projects will be sponsored jointly by companies and the Institute, block seminars and university training courses will also be held in Solingen, and events will be organised in co-operation with economic development departments and the Chamber of Trade and Industry.

Further information is available from www.forum-produktdesign.de.