German business leaders will learn about Alabama’s advantages for potential investment projects or partnerships during an upcoming webinar coordinated by the German American Chamber of Commerce in Atlanta.
The Sept. 25 webinar is part of the Chamber’s “Virtual Tour 2024 — Southern U.S.,” which is providing in-depth introductions to 11 different states in the region.
The event is aimed at German companies looking to export, invest or expand in the Southeastern U.S., which has become an attractive market for German enterprises. It aims to strengthen relationships between the Southeast and German companies, which can face challenges when establishing a presence in the region.
“Alabama and Germany have developed a very special relationship over the decades,” said Ellen McNair, Secretary of the Alabama Department of Commerce. “In fact, around 80 German companies have launched growth plans in our state, enriching many communities both economically and culturally.”
Secretary McNair will deliver a brief welcome to kick off the webinar, which will feature an introduction to Alabama and highlight the opportunities for German companies.
The webinar will feature leaders from two German companies who can discuss their firsthand experiences in establishing an operation in Alabama.
- Rouven Vierfuß, Managing Director, Ovens Business Unit Cooking, at Miele, which will manufacture ovens, stoves and other household appliances for the American market at its first U.S. production hub in Opelika.
- Sebastian Thöle, CEO of Winkelmann Flowforming, whose U.S. subsidiary in Auburn has succeeded in winning business from American aerospace companies.
Christoph Dörr, director of Commerce’s European Office in Stuttgart, Germany, said the event will allow German business decision-makers to develop a deep understanding of local business opportunities and the unique advantages of Alabama, along with its primary industries.
“These German business leaders will learn about Alabama’s economic landscape and hear about the success stories of German companies in the state,” Dörr said. “They will also get to directly engage with Alabama businesses as well as experts through live Q&A sessions.”
German companies have made capital investments topping $10 billion in Alabama since 1999, making Germany the No. 1 foreign investment partner for the state, according to Commerce data.
In 2023 alone, Miele and other German companies announced Alabama investments totaling nearly $580 million through projects that will create over 1,000 jobs.
Other notable German companies operating in Alabama include Mercedes-Benz U.S. International in Vance and Woodstock; BASF Corp. in Huntsville, McIntosh and Theodore; and Evonik Industries in Birmingham and Theodore.
Mercedes, in particular, has become an economic engine for Alabama, generating over $7 billion in investments since 1993. Mercedes has become Alabama’s biggest exporter, enabling Alabama to become the No. 1 auto-exporting state in 2023.
