Eissman Automotive's Investment in Pell City | |
By Birmingham Business Journal | |
|
Photo Credit:Getty Images
Eissman Automotive recently invested over $3 million in its Pell City facility.
The new investment, totaling $3.4 million, brings new manufacturing equipment for a new production line and a planned 79 new hires.
The company previously expanded in Pell City with a $14.5 million project, creating 200 jobs in 2018. The company builds car interiors, built-to-print trim components, shifter modules and other parts for various German and domestic automakers.
The company was one of seven recognized at a recent event held by the Alabama Germany Partnership, celebrating the organization’s 25th anniversary. Companies with Birmingham presences that were also recognized include Evonik Corp., which acquired a local product line for $15 million and expanded a Lakeshore Parkway facility in 2020, and MBN Automotive, which established a presence in Hardware Park last year.
Read Birmingham Business Journal's Full Story
| |
German Making Gasden Home | | |
|
|
It is not uncommon for international companies to set up shop in Alabama and send executives and other workers to the state for a couple of years — then call them back.
In the case of Matthias Goetz at Fehrer, though, he’s not planning to leave, at least this time around.
Fehrer, a Tier I auto supplier to Mercedes-Benz, Volkswagen and other companies, came to Gadsden in 2011. Goetz came soon after, sent by the German company to help get the facility on its feet.
Photo Credit: Joe De Sciose.
| |
|
Goetz, a native of north Bavaria in Germany, returned to Germany briefly, but in 2012 he came back as operations manager. “That’s when I met my wife,” he says. “She’s from Gadsden originally and worked at Fehrer at one point. That’s how we met.”
They moved to South Carolina for seven years, with Goetz working for Fehrer and another company, but in 2020, he joined Fehrer again, and he asked to come back to Gadsden.
He’s now general manager of the facility, and he and his wife, Tanessa, are raising their daughter and Tanessa’s two sons. Goetz also has a grown son in Germany.
Fehrer, part of the Aunde Group, produces premium foam parts for car seats, supplying the foam for 100% of Mercedes-Benz’s output at its plant in Vance. Fehrer employs 440 people in Etowah County, third behind only Koch Foods and Tyson Foods, and one of Goetz’s missions is to get his company more involved in the community and more well-known.
Read Business Alabama's Full Story
| |
Auburn University Bolsters Relations With German Technical Institute of Applied Sciences | |
By Joe McAdory for Auburn University | |
|
Leadership from Auburn Engineering and the Technical University of Applied Sciences at Wurzburg-Schweinfurt discussed collaboration efforts during a week-long summit March 26-31. Photo Credit Auburn University
Fostering the spirit of collaborative research and educational programs, Auburn University leadership hosted a delegation from the German Technical University of Applied Sciences at Wurzburg-Schweinfurt (THWS), March 26-31.
Strategic points of business included:
- Exchange opportunities for professors at each university
- Student mobility and exchange
- Collaboration on an artificial intelligence and robotics forum at TWHS this November
- Cooperative research activities in robotics, artificial intelligence and several other engineering programs
- Even a dual studies program, where students travel overseas to attend college and work – gaining practical, real-world experiences
THWS President Robert Grebner said the universities “fit well together.” “We have an excellent opportunity to combine some of our best researchers, particularly in the areas of robotics and artificial intelligence,” he said. “Our work together can be very beneficial for medicine, industry and social science.”
The delegation, comprised of student recruiters, professors and administrators, were given a comprehensive tour of Auburn Engineering’s research laboratories, its various buildings/departments, including meetings with departmental leaders and faculty.
One year after developing the AI@AU initiative, Computer Science and Software Engineering (CSSE) Department Chair Hari Narayanan was eager to combine research efforts with THWS faculty. The department hosted Grebner and other members for an afternoon where the team was briefed about our department’s educational and research programs, with a strategic focus on artificial intelligence and cybersecurity.
Read Auburn University's Full Story
| |
Dankeschön to our PATRON Members: | |
AGP Stammtisch in Birmingham | |
|
Come out to network!
This is a great opportunity for German expats to meet and for other German-speaking/practicing to improve their German. Speaking German is encouraged but not required.
Come join us for our AGP "Stammtisch" in Birmingham:
| |
|
What does "Stammtisch" mean? A Stammtisch is an informal group meeting held on a regular basis, and also the usually large table around which the group meets. A Stammtisch is not a structured meeting, but rather a friendly and casual get-together.
| |
AGP German Business Committee | |
|
The AGP German Business Committee is planning its next meeting for June 7th.
The following topics will be presented:
- Grant Applications in Alabama for companies
- Inflation Reduction Act
- German American Chamber of Commerce News
The German Business Committee (GBC) is composed of executives, managers, and professionals from German companies with varying levels of experience in Alabama and the United States. The group is led by Dr. Wolfgang Kneer, President of SWJ Technology, LLC in Tuscaloosa, and a member of AlabamaGermany Partnership’s Executive Committee as VP for German Business.
The members of the GBC represent diverse industries and sectors, including manufacturing and services. The committee serves as a resource for other prospective entrepreneurs and companies considering locating to or expanding in Alabama, with a focus on German companies, offering round-table style advice, support, and insight into best practices drawn from their own relevant experiences. The GBC offers free support under the umbrella of the AlabamaGermany Partnership.
Furthermore, the German Business Committee provides a platform for its members to share experiences as well as potential networking opportunities.
GBC meets 4 to 6 times per year by invitation only. If you would like to be considered to take part in upcoming meetings, please email director@alabamagermany.org with your request.
| |
Mercedes’ Alabama operation gears up for all-electric Maybach SUV | |
By Jerry Underwood, Made in Alabama | |
|
Photo Credit: Mercedes:Benz
Mercedes-Benz’s Alabama operation is preparing to take the automaker’s concept of the ultra-luxury automobile to an electrifying new level, with the upcoming production launch of the 2024 Mercedes-Maybach EQS 680 sport utility.
Mercedes debuted the head-turning vehicle this week, saying “the Mercedes-Maybach EQS SUV sets the new benchmark in the all-electric top-end luxury SUV segment” in an announcement. The model is loaded with lavish appointments and creature comforts such as a “cocooning” rear seat environment.
The Mercedes-Maybach EQS SUV will be assembled at the automaker’s 6 million-square-foot production complex in Tuscaloosa County, where workers already build the Mercedes-Maybach GLS 600 sport utility.
The batteries powering the new EV will come from the Mercedes battery plant in Bibb County, located just minutes away from the assembly plant.
“Mercedes-Maybach customers expect the extraordinary, and we aim to exceed their high expectations,” Ola Källenius, chairman of the Board of Management Mercedes-Benz Group AG. “The Mercedes‑Maybach EQS SUV unites our ambition to lead in digital and electric with our focus on the luxury segment.
“The very first all-electric vehicle from Mercedes-Maybach complements the best technologies from Mercedes‑Benz with the extra comfort and individual details that are only available from Mercedes‑Maybach,” he added.
Production trials of the new vehicle are now underway at Mercedes’ assembly plant, with full production expected to begin later this year
Read Made in Alabama's Full Story
| |
Airbus plans to hire 800 in the U.S. in 2023, including in Alabama | |
By Birmingham Business Journal | |
|
Airbus plans to hire hundreds of workers for its U.S. operations this year in workforce increases that include its Alabama facility.
The European-based manufacturer on Tuesday revealed that it will look to hire more than 800 people in the U.S. in 2023 to help it meet growth across its commercial, defense and helicopter programs.
"Airbus’ story is one of continued growth in America,” C. Jeffrey Knittel, CEO of Airbus Americas, said in a release. “After recruiting more than 1,500 employees in 2022, we are maintaining our momentum and … growing a diverse and talented team of individuals dedicated to designing and building the future of sustainable aerospace.”
The company says that of those 800 jobs, more than 500 will be newly created positions.
In addition to engineering jobs, Airbus says it will be hiring for roles in IT, procurement, quality control, and production work at its A320/A220 manufacturing line in Mobile. According to an Airbus spokesperson, of the roughly 800 jobs for Airbus US, more than 700 are targeted for its Airbus Commercial Aircraft operations and of that, about 60% are targeted for FAL Mobile.
Read Birmingham Business Journal's Full Story
| |
Dankeschön to our SUSTAINING Members: | |
8th German American Business Forum (DAWT) | |
Schorndorf, Here We Come! | |
By Tuscaloosa International Sister Cities | |
|
Passports: check; German language tips: check; Euros ordered: check! The 18-member TSCI/Tuscaloosa City Schools student delegation is getting ever closer to our July departure for Schorndorf, Germany! Student delegates have attended monthly meetings since January to prepare for their two-week exchange in Europe. They’ve also already started communicating with their host partners at Max Planck Gymnasium in Schorndorf, and comparing notes on how to make their experiences memorable.
TSCI is happy to recognize Northridge student delegates Anushka Nichani and Rylan North, recipients of the first-annual TSCI “Spirit of Community” Scholarship, in memory of the late, long-time TSCI Board Member David Ford. David’s widow, Linda, announced the scholarship recipients after selecting their winning essays detailing the importance of community involvement. Anushka and Rylan will receive $750 as recipients of the “Spirit of Community”
scholarship. Congratulations, Anushka and Rylan!
| |
|
Please help us welcome our new members:
CORPORATE - REGULAR
Beyond Gravity US
Alexis Esneault
Principal Contracts Administrator
Beyond Gravity US helps humanity explore the world and beyond. They have delivered products for hundreds of different missions for over 40 years. What do they all have in common? They all ultimately serve an important purpose that advances humankind. Are you on board?
Their activities encompass weather forecasting, satellite-based positioning and communications in even the most remote corners of the globe, satellite data to manage natural hazards, new discoveries revealing the mysteries of our universe, scientific experiments in space, and exciting new developments like self-driving cars – everything depends on space technology. With endless opportunities, they help their customers around the world make the impossible possible
Learn more at: www.beyondgravity.com
As an AGP member, you can connect with them through the
AGP membership database.
| |
Join AlabamaGermany Partnership (AGP) | |
|
AlabamaGermany Partnership (AGP) is an extremely active organization. Many of Alabama’s leading German and American companies are active participants in AGP. The organization facilitates:
- Networking Events
- Educational Outreach
- German Dinners
- Cultural Workshops
- Business Seminars
- Young Professionals Events
- Roundtables for German Company Leaders
- Study Trips to Germany
Join us today and be a part of our diverse group of industrial, corporate, cultural, educational, and governmental leaders.
| | |
AlabamaGermany Partnership 1900 International Parkway Drive, Suite 105
Birmingham, AL 35245 www.AlabamaGermany.org
| |
| | | |
