Why 115 dutch companies choose Hauts-de-France for European expansion
From VDL Bus & Coach to Picnic, Dutch companies grow in Hauts-de-France thanks to smart location choices and Nord France Invest’s support.
Dutch investments in Hauts-de-France: a successful alliance
Halfway between Amsterdam and Paris, the Hauts-de-France region attracts Dutch investors through its numerous advantages and proven expertise in welcoming international companies. This economic cooperation takes shape in strategic sectors such as sustainable mobility, circular economy, and digital commerce.
A dynamic dutch presence at the heart of Hauts-de-France
With more than 2,000 foreign companies settled in its territory, Hauts-de-France confirms its attractiveness as a preferred destination for international investors. In this dynamic economic landscape, the Dutch presence constitutes a particularly significant component. 115 companies from the Netherlands have chosen our region, generating 5,500 jobs and positioning the Netherlands as the 5th foreign investor in Hauts-de-France, both in terms of employment and number of expansions. Dutch companies find favorable conditions for their development in Hauts-de-France as well as a continuously strengthening investment dynamic.
Just a few hours from Rotterdam and Amsterdam, the Hauts-de-France region offers Dutch companies a strategic anchor point for their development in France and Southern Europe. This geographic proximity, coupled with leading transport infrastructure and a dynamic economic ecosystem, explains the growing attraction of Dutch investors to our territory.
Economic ambassadors: Dutch companies choosing Hauts-de-France
Main business sectors for Dutch companies settled in Hauts-de-France
Dutch investments in Hauts-de-France focus primarily on six key sectors. The agri-food industry substantially dominates the landscape with 32 established sites generating nearly 1,800 jobs, confirming the Netherlands' recognized expertise in this field. Retail and distribution come second with 22 sites, although their impact on employment is more moderate with approximately 600 jobs created.
The chemicals/plastics sector stands out for its productivity: despite only 8 locations, it contributes to 650 jobs in the region, demonstrating the added value of these industrial facilities. Business services, transport/logistics, and engineering/consulting complete this panorama with 10, 8, and 8 sites respectively. This distribution reflects a diversified investment strategy based on economic complementarity between the two countries and positions Hauts-de-France as a preferred platform for Dutch companies targeting the European market.
Discover these leaders who have bet on Hauts-de-France to conquer European markets.
Why Dutch companies choose Hauts-de-France
A strategic location and efficient transport infrastructure
Within a radius of 300 km, or half a day by truck, lies an exceptional basin of 83 million consumers, with direct access to five European capitals (Paris, London, Brussels, Amsterdam, Luxembourg). The region therefore constitutes a strategic location for companies wishing to expand across the European market.
This central position is reinforced by exceptional multimodal transport infrastructures:
- Optimize your supply chain with immediate access to major European highways, particularly the A1, dramatically reducing delivery times
- Benefit from a green alternative to road transport thanks to France's densest railway network
- Manage your import-export with international markets and your transits to the UK via 3 major seaports (Dunkirk, Calais, Boulogne-sur-Mer)
- Maximize your logistical flexibility through 4 multimodal platforms allowing optimal combinations of road/rail/river transport
- Connect to the entire world via proximity to Paris-Charles de Gaulle international airport, facilitating your international exchanges and business travel
For Dutch companies heavily involved in global supply chains, these logistical assets represent a decisive competitive advantage.
Hauts-de-France offers advantageous competitiveness compared to other European regions, particularly in terms of real estate and labor costs. The price per square meter is up to 4 times lower than in Amsterdam and more than 2 times lower than in Brussels and Rotterdam.
Main business sectors in the Hauts-de-France region
All these sectors benefit from the support of public or private research centers, professional federations, and associations, forming powerful ecosystems that promote growth. With more than 180,000 students spread across 7 universities and 35 graduate schools, the region has a pool of qualified talent capable of meeting business needs in various sectors.
Nord France Invest, the economic development agency of Hauts-de-France, provides personalized and free support for Dutch companies wishing to set up in the region:
- Key sectoral or regulatory information
- Identification of suitable sites
- Strategic connections to accelerate the expansion process
- Assistance with administrative procedures
- Mobilization of available aid and financing mechanisms
- Support for integration into the regional ecosystem
This tailored approach greatly facilitates the expansion process and contributes to the success of Dutch investment projects!
Dutch success stories in Hauts-de-France
The economic ties between the Netherlands and Hauts-de-France show through numerous large-scale investment projects. Here are three emblematic examples of Dutch companies that have chosen our region.
The Dutch bus and coach manufacturer VDL Bus & Coach chose Lille to set up its French headquarters. This strategic choice reflects a desire to strengthen its presence in the French market while benefiting from a central position in Europe.
The personalized support offered by regional stakeholders was a determining factor in the success of this expansion, as testified by Julien Bahri, Managing Director of VDL Bus&Coach France from 2022 to 2023: "The help provided was tremendous. The best assistance a company can have is that which saves time. Nord France Invest organized everything for us, like a turnkey solution. We simply provided them with our needs and they were able to help us in the recruitment process, finding the right people, conducting interviews... all of this was invaluable assistance."
The Lille metropolitan area offers VDL Bus & Coach:
- Optimal accessibility thanks to direct train connections with Paris, Amsterdam, Brussels, and London
- A significant pool of qualified employment in the automotive sector
- Potential synergies with the local mobility ecosystem
- An attractive quality of life for employees
This establishment perfectly illustrates the complementarity between Dutch expertise in transport and the logistical advantages of Hauts-de-France.
Discover Julien Bahri's interview
Automotive Cells Company (ACC) has chosen Hauts-de-France to set up the very first French gigafactory in Douvrin, with an investment of more than five billion euros.
This battery factory for electric vehicles, the result of a strategic partnership between Stellantis, TotalEnergies, and Mercedes-Benz, represents a key step in the energy transition of the regional automotive industry by creating 2,000 direct jobs and strengthening the European leadership of Hauts-de-France in electromobility. The region thus consolidates its status as the "European Battery Valley," with six confirmed gigafactories in its territory, demonstrating its attractiveness for large-scale industrial projects.
The Dutch group N+P, a pioneer in transforming non-recyclable waste into alternative fuels, has chosen Hauts-de-France to set up its first French Subcoal® factory. Located on the industrial platform of Isbergues, near Lille, this facility represents a strategic investment that will create 50 permanent jobs while annually diverting 350,000 tons of waste from landfills.
This expansion in the region was facilitated by constant support from territorial economic stakeholders. Paul Oostelbos, Senior Project Manager at N+P Group, emphasizes the importance of these local partnerships: "Nord France Invest has been very useful in helping us find an appropriate location for our project, introducing us to local and regional authorities, as well as many other potential stakeholders, such as consultants and construction companies."
The Dutch group Picnic, a key player in food e-commerce and the fastest-growing company in the Netherlands, has chosen Hauts-de-France for its entry into the French market.
After a pilot phase with exceptional results, the company has accelerated its regional development with the expansion of a headquarters in Fretin, a main order preparation center, and a network of 20 distribution hubs. This ambitious project plans to create 1,000 to 1,500 jobs and deploy a fleet of 400 electric vehicles, perfectly illustrating the company's commitment to a greener economy.
Hauts-de-France and the Netherlands, an economic partnership for the future
115 Dutch companies. 5,500 jobs created. Status as the 5th foreign investor in the region. These figures testify to an inescapable economic reality: Hauts-de-France has become a strategic territory for the international development of Dutch companies.
From Heineken to Refresco, from AkzoNobel to Picnic, Dutch success stories in Hauts-de-France illustrate the attraction of Dutch companies to regional assets. This synergy, based on a privileged location, first-class infrastructure, and a dynamic economic ecosystem, opens the way to new investment opportunities.Hauts-de-France is not only a gateway to the French market – it represents a strategic springboard for Dutch companies’ European ambitions. Nord France Invest accompanies you to transform these opportunities into concrete successes.
Are you a Dutch company with international development projects? Discover how Hauts-de-France can become your next territory for growth.
Nord France Invest, the economic development agency of Hauts-de-France, provides free support to Dutch companies in their setting up and development projects. Do not hesitate to contact us to discover all the opportunities that our region can offer to your company. Contact: nordfranceinvest.com, +33(0)3 59 56 23 00