In the "Ludwig-Bölkow-Haus of Commerce," the advocacy for around 24,000 companies belonging to the IHK (Chamber of Industry and Commerce) in West Mecklenburg is carried out. The IHK's proximity to the state parliament, the state chancellery, and the ministries has proven to be an excellent base for the IHK's daily work.

The “Ludwig-Bölkow-Haus of Commerce” also symbolizes the justified self-confidence of West Mecklenburg’s business community, as "Without business, everything is nothing," and it is only through the successful activities of companies and their employees that the tax revenues are generated, which the federal, state, and local governments rely on to finance their various activities. As the "representative of business interests" and an "advisor to the state and businesses," the IHKs ensure that the concerns of businesses are considered in all economic decisions made by politics and administration. Since all companies in the region—except for craft businesses and liberal professions—are members of the Chamber of Industry and Commerce and send their elected representatives to the general assembly, the chamber can formulate an objective and balanced economic policy.

To shape opinions on the various concerns of West Mecklenburg's economy, around 1,100 company representatives voluntarily serve in numerous IHK committees. Regular surveys of member companies also play a role in this. On numerous issues, the IHK provides expert opinions and statements to the administration and politics when these have an impact on the economy. This applies, for example, to planning transport routes, drafting funding guidelines, or construction planning. Additionally, the IHK acts as an objective expert for individual companies when it comes to matters like choosing a company name or selecting business locations. The IHK also assesses applications for public loans and grants or exemptions of employees from military service.

Economic development from the IHK's perspective means actively influencing improvements in infrastructure, supporting existing businesses, providing initial business consulting, or advising on business start-ups. The Chamber of Industry and Commerce also advises on settlements and investments. Other important fields of activity include foreign trade promotion, providing legal and tax advice, as well as environmental and innovation consulting. Furthermore, the IHKs in Germany ensure vocational training within companies, thereby securing the future viability of businesses. Most citizens come into contact with the Chamber of Industry and Commerce when it comes to training and examinations in IHK-certified industrial, technical, and commercial professions.

The Ludwig-Bölkow-Haus as an Impressive Structure
The „Ludwig-Bölkow-Haus of Commerce“ is a notable example across Germany for the use of geothermal energy. The water surfaces near the building made it necessary to build on stilts. These stilts are also used energetically: 218 so-called energy stilts cover 75% of the heating energy needs and 100% of the cooling energy needs! Through this geothermal use, carbon dioxide emissions are reduced by 92 tons per year—a crucial aspect! Instead of 125,000 kilograms of carbon dioxide—as would be expected from a building using conventional energy sources—the "Ludwig-Bölkow-Haus" generates only 33,000 kilograms of carbon dioxide annually.

Ludwig Bölkow
Ludwig Bölkow was born on June 30, 1912, in Schwerin. He attended the Realgymnasium in Schwerin until 1932 and then the Technical University of Berlin, where he earned his engineering diploma six years later. From 1932 to 1933, he underwent practical training at Heinkel in Warnemünde and the German Works in Spandau. After working as an assistant at the Technical University of Berlin, Ludwig Bölkow joined Messerschmitt in Augsburg in 1939, where he played a key role in the aerodynamics of the world’s first jet fighter.
From 1948 to 1956, Bölkow operated his own engineering office in Stuttgart, which initially had just three employees. He developed construction machinery, automated manufacturing systems for building materials, and from 1955, missiles and helicopters. In 1955, the engineering office was converted into Bölkow-Entwicklungen KG with its own manufacturing facilities. In addition, the "Entwicklungsring Süd" was founded in 1959 to develop a vertically launching fighter jet, in which Bölkow held a third interest alongside Heinkel and Messerschmitt. From modest beginnings, a corporation with significant holdings emerged. After reaching the age of 65, Dr. Ludwig Bölkow retired from the company but remained connected through a consulting contract and continued to be a shareholder of MBB – Messerschmitt-Bölkow-Blohm. By 1981, the corporation employed 38,500 people worldwide.

Later, the DASA (Deutsche Aerospace Aktiengesellschaft) emerged from this company, which, through various mergers on a European level in 2000, became the European Aeronautic Defence and Space Company (EADS) and eventually the Airbus Group.

The honorary citizen of Schwerin, Dr. Ludwig Bölkow, passed away shortly after his 91st birthday on July 25, 2003.