Arnstadt, 24 February 2025. Shortly after taking office, the Thuringian Minister for Economic Affairs, Agriculture and Rural Areas, Colette Boos-John, accepted the invitation from N3 Engine Overhaul Services (N3) and visited the company at Erfurter Kreuz on Monday morning. In addition to getting to know the joint venture between Lufthansa Technik AG and Rolls-Royce plc., the focus was on the ongoing construction project, economic development and measures to recruit skilled labour.
“N3 is an economic driving force for our federal state and also stands for Thuringia's success as a business location,” said Boos-John. “That's why one of my first company visits as Minister of Economic Affairs took me here. It is important to me to maintain a close exchange with the many large and small companies in the state and to always have an open ear for business in the state.”
During a tour of the premises, the N3 management reported on the investments in the expansion of the company’s capacities, among other things. In addition to the expansion of the factory building and the remodelling of the office space, the construction of a new logistics building complex on the factory premises is also being driven forward. The expansion is part of a long-term growth strategy aimed at strengthening the company’s position in the Rolls-Royce network and meeting the increasing demand for flights and thus also engine maintenance. The extensive expansion will take place during ongoing operations. CEO Carsten Behrens emphasised the long-term strategy of the parent companies: “The favourable conditions at the Erfurter Kreuz and the stable performance of N3 were an important prerequisite for the decision to expand the site.“ Another focus of the visit was N3’s personnel policy. Up to 200 additional positions are to be filled in 2025. In order to attract qualified employees, the company is focussing in particular on training and further education activities. For career changers, N3 has developed a six-month aviation qualification programme with theoretical and practical components. Vocational training, which N3 now offers in seven different professional fields, also plays a major role in attracting skilled labour. In conversation with Boos-John, Managing Director (CFO) Stefan Landes emphasised: "Stable political conditions are essential for economic development at the location. What we particularly want from the new government is a reduction in bureaucracy, simplified digital interfaces with the authorities and a focus on attractive framework conditions for companies in order to facilitate investment and, above all, to attract workers to Thuringia."
The new state government will once again place economic policy and attractive location conditions at the heart of state policy, said the Minister: “Reducing bureaucracy and securing skilled workers are naturally the focus here.” At the same time, however, Thuringia will also act as a strong voice for the economy vis-à-vis the federal government, which sets most of the economic framework conditions, continued Boos-John: “Energy prices must come down, dilapidated infrastructure must be renovated, the expansion of state spending must be stopped and the economy needs more air to breathe again. The next federal government has a full list of economic policy tasks on the cabinet table.”