’s-Hertogenbosch exerts an exceptional magnetic force on companies. The capital of the province of North-Brabant annually ranks high in benchmark surveys. In 2011 it was once again granted the title of the municipality with the strongest economy in the Netherlands by Dutch weekly Elsevier in its Top Locations award. So what defines the power of ‘s-Hertogenbosch?

Thanks to its favourable location on the major A2 motorway,’s-Hertogenbosch serves as an all-important link between the Randstad conurbation and the south of the Netherlands. The excellent rail links that serve the city have gained in importance as a factor that encourages companies to locate in the city.

’s-Hertogenbosch combines a historic inner city with varied and attractive shopping, an astonishingly wide choice of bars and restaurants and a huge variety of cultural activities.  It’s no surprise that many companies choose to entertain their business relations in the convivial and exuberant atmosphere of the characteristic city centre. 

The residential climate in ’s-Hertogenbosch can be justifiably labelled outstanding and new, exclusive  residential areas are being added, situated close to woodland and nature.  The fine residential climate of the city attracts residents with a high level of education and training - which is extremely important for the existing businesses. Alongside the specialised Higher Vocational Education offered by the universities of applied science, there are also five universities within a radius of 50 kilometres. The city boasts many knowledge institutes that focus on service provision and innovation.  For instance, there is co-operation in the field of Food & Health between the Jeroen Bosch Hospital, high schools and HVE institutes and the business community in ‘s-Hertogenbosch. 

The city also offers an attractive range of distinctive, high quality office locations and business parks that are designed to suit target groups with widely differing requirements.  For example: Paleiskwartier, immediately adjacent to the central railway station, is a prime, national location for business, legal and financial services. The locations along the A2 motorway are interesting establishment sites for companies, including many active in the IT sector.

The favourable location of the city in a European context is also a huge advantage for international companies. ’s-Hertogenbosch is close to Europe's economic core regions such as the Randstad conurbation and the German Ruhr region, while the proximity to the European capital Brussels is also a great benefit.  This explains the presence of many multinational companies in ’s-Hertogenbosch such as Acer, Heineken, SAP, Ricoh, Essent and Würth.

Dutch magazine Elsevier, in co-operation with research agency Louter, conducts an annual survey into the economic power of Dutch municipalities. They are assessed using 40 key indicators, including: number of available jobs in relation to the labour force, level of education of residents, new premises and occupancy rate of offices, number of startups and labour productivity.  In 2011 ’s-Hertogenbosch finished first in the ratings, just like in 2008. 

 ’s-Hertogenbosch merits a high score on many other listings as well: In the Municipal Atlas for 2010  ’s-Hertogenbosch occupies the fifth place for residential attractiveness. In the image survey performed by LAgroups, ’s-Hertogenbosch was revealed to be the third most vibrant and the second friendliest city in the Netherlands. In 2010, ’s-Hertogenbosch was voted flavour capital of the Netherlands and it was rated as the most hospitable city in the Netherlands.

Locations near stations increasingly important as a place of establishment:

1: Utrecht
2: Amsterdam
3: Rotterdam
4: Den Haag
5: Leiden
6: Eindhoven
7: 's-Hertogenbosch
8: Arnhem
9: Nijmegen
10: Amersfoort

• De Brand
• De Groote Vliet
• De Rietvelden
• De Herven
• Empel Zuid
• HighTech Park en Maaspoort
• Pettelaarpark
• Paleiskwartier
• Treurenburg
• Willemspoort