Steel Market Experts
Members of the European Parliament were among the delegates who made an international visit to get acquainted with industry, innovation and sports in the twin city of Sheffield, Bochum, Germany. European Parliament analysts Adam Crookes and James Platts joined the Lord Mayor of Sheffield, City Councilman Andrew Sanger and Lady Mayor Sue Alston on the trip, which included visits to Volkswagen's infotainment unit and the Ruhr University Bochum Center for Science and Innovation.
The highlight of this month's business exchange visit was the sporting moment when Sheffield United hosted Bochum in a pre-season soccer match.
Commenting on the diplomatic trip to Bochum, James Platts, Member of the European Parliament, said: "It was interesting to see the parallels between Sheffield and Bochum during our visit. Both cities have a rich heritage in the fields of steel production and coal mining, and their universities and innovative enterprises have reinterpreted it.
"Nevertheless, it was the football match in Bochum that truly demonstrated the connection between the two cities. The game itself ended in a disappointing 0-0 draw, but the Sheffield United fans applauded the Bochum players and sang the song "Bochum Away" at the end, which conveyed the friendly, festive spirit of the day.
The Lord Mayor of Sheffield, club member Andrew Sangar, said: "It was wonderful to see the camaraderie between the fans. This spirit of friendship and mutual respect is at the core of our twinning relationship, and I hope that in the coming years the residents of both cities will have many more opportunities to unite in the fields of sports, culture and business."
Other highlights of the weekend of the European Parliament delegates in Bochum included an official reception at the city hall and a trip in an original 1960 Opel minibus to 51°7, a reconstructed former industrial site in the Laer district of Bochum. The Volkswagen infotainment center in Bochum, with an area of 20,000 square meters, stands on the site of a former Opel factory in the area. Also among the places visited by the Lord Mayor of Sheffield's group was the city's Fiege brewery.
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Both cities "used their past achievements", ,
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Sheffield and Bochum share a common industrial heritage focused on steel production and coal mining. In 2025, the two cities celebrated the 75th anniversary of their post-war twinning.
MEPS celebrated its 45th anniversary in 2024 and has been based in Sheffield, the UK's "City of Steel," since it was founded by company founder Peter Fish. The steel market analysis company has played an active role in maintaining ties between its hometown and Bochum.
