New President and CEO for RAPA L.P. in Auburn
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Dr. Roman Pausch, Chairman of the Board of Management and CEO of Rausch & Pausch (RAPA) Automotive announced the promotion of Carmen Jordan to president & CEO of RAPA LP in Auburn, Alabama, last month.
According to Dr. Pausch, “She combines technical competence as an engineer, personal qualities as a manager with many years of professional experience and has the respect of the Associates in Selb and Auburn.”
Jordan was raised in Auburn and is an Auburn High School Class of 1993 graduate. She completed a degree in chemical engineering at Cornell University. Jordan started her career in the steel industry before transitioning to the automotive industry. She began her tenure with RAPA in 2016 leading the Quality and Supply Chain Management departments, playing a key role in the further development of quality management.
RAPA produces high-precision automotive solenoid valves and air suspension technology. The privately-held German corporation located in Northern Bavaria was founded in 1920 and supplies manufacturers in the automotive, healthcare, and industry sectors. The RAPA Auburn facility was started in 2013. The company is supporting customers with leading efforts in the global automotive trend towards electromobility and autonomous driving.
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The design sketch of the Mercedes-Benz EQS
Automotive manufacturers around the country are increasingly focusing on adding electric vehicles to their lineups, with some planning to electrify large portions of their fleets or transition entirely to electric vehicle production in as little as a decade. As more companies accelerate their production plans, Alabama’s automotive industry is keeping pace.
“The automotive industry in Alabama deeply respects the environment and there are strong initiatives in all of our OEMs and suppliers to protect our environment,” says Ron Davis, president of the Alabama Automotive Manufacturers Association. “Some of the main things we look at are our carbon footprint and our use of fossil fuels. We are very sensitive to how much waste goes into landfills, and our plants are very aggressive about trying to have zero waste and do all the recycling we can. It’s a very important part of our business.”
A big part of that, he adds, includes plans to transition to electric vehicles. “All of the major car plants in our state are very aggressive in working on green initiatives.”
Mercedes-Benz U.S. International (MBUSI), based in Tuscaloosa County, is leading the way with a $1 billion expansion slated for electric vehicle production, including a 600,000-square-foot battery plant in Bibb County that will produce electric batteries for its new line of electric models, the EQS and the EQE SUV.
According to Dr. Jörg Burzer, a member of the board of management of Mercedes-Benz AG, Production and Supply Chain Management, MBUSI is a “very important cornerstone for our electric strategy.” The plant, which is the exclusive producer of GLS and GLE SUVs for Mercedes, will also be the exclusive producer of the EQS, which starts production in 2022. Currently, MBUSI exports the models it produces to approximately 130 countries.
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Deloitte asks CFOs:
The biggest problem is the shortage of skilled workers
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German companies are increasingly concerned about the shortage of skilled workers. The auto industry, however, has other problems.
The search for qualified personnel is gradually becoming the biggest problem for German companies, according to a study by the management consultancy Deloitte: "The shortage of skilled workers is now again the most important risk for companies, followed by rising raw material costs, increasing regulation and energy costs," wrote Deloitte chief economist Alexander Börsch in the study published in Munich last month.
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The consultants interviewed 158 CFOs at German companies in September. Two-thirds named the shortage of skilled workers as a high risk. "That means that the tight labor markets are holding companies back," said Börsch. "The shortage of skilled workers runs through all industries." The real estate and construction industries are currently suffering the most, affecting almost three-quarters of companies.
The board members see growing risk factors in raw materials and energy costs, "which have reached threatening proportions for 42 percent of companies". In the automotive and chemical industries, it is even around 70 percent.
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Mercedes-Benz U.S. International adding hundreds of production team members by year’s end |
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Mercedes-Benz U.S. International (MBUSI) plans to launch an accelerated campaign to hire several hundred permanent production team members before the end of 2021 to allow its Alabama manufacturing operation to meet the growing demand for its vehicles and prepare for new milestones.
MBUSI’s hiring wave aligns with the automaker’s strategic growth plans for its Alabama operation, which will begin producing two electric vehicles — the EQS and EQE sport-utilities — in 2022. MBUSI is also opening an EV battery pack assembly facility on a second Alabama campus in Bibb County.
The goal of MBUSI’s campaign is to attract candidates for permanent production team jobs by year’s end. MBUSI is seeking to reach workers with production experience, especially those in the auto industry, and less-experienced workers who have completed manufacturing training programs.
Team members hired as part of the program will be immediately eligible for all MBUSI benefit programs and a starting hourly pay rate of $20, rising to $25+ an hour after regular wage increases over four years, plus a shift premium.
“MBUSI’s commitment to being the best luxury auto manufacturer in North America is most evident in our workforce,” said Michael Göbel, president and CEO of MBUSI.
“As our production continues to accelerate and evolve, we are growing the team we’ve built with additional support on a local level.”
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Dankeschön to our PATRON Members: |
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AGP Stammtisch in Birmingham and Mobile |
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This is a great opportunity for German expats to meet and for other German-speaking/practicing to improve your German. Speaking German is encouraged but not required. We meet every first Wednesday of the month in Birmingham and on other select dates around Alabama. This time we will be in Opelika.
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.
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Come join us for our LAST AGP "Stammtisch" in Birmingham this year:
Wednesday, November 3, 2021
6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Carrigan's Beer Garden, Birmingham
Carrigan's Beer Garden has a great selection of beverages and food for purchase. Family, kids, and dogs are allowed.
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Please join us for our traveling AGP Stammtisch:
Thursday, November 4, 2021
5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
Old Majestic Brewing Company, Mobile
Old Majestic Brewing Company has a great selection of beers for purchase.
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AGP Fall of the Berlin Wall Event
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Join AlabamaGermany Partnership (AGP):
Thursday, November 11, 2021
5:30 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.
Carrigan's Beer Garden in Birmingham
We are Celebrating the 32nd Anniversary of the Fall of the Berlin Wall at Birmingham's Beer Garden with a buffet, beverages, and networking.
On August 13, 1961, work began on constructing the Berlin Wall. It stood as a symbol of a divided city and country, of terror and the Cold War. Overnight, it changed an entire nation. On November 9, 1989, Berlin was reunited. The Berlin Wall fell and the city was reunited. It was finally the end of the massive border complex that left Berlin divided into East and West for 28 years, tearing apart families, friends, and neighbors. Today, Berlin is known as a place of freedom, opportunity, and individuality.
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Thank you to our generous sponsor: |
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Upcoming AGP Events in December |
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Please join us for a festive evening in the Grand Bohemian Hotel's Private Dining Room for a German traditional Goose Feast. Limited seats.
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Thursday, December 9, 2021
6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m
Grand Bohemian Hotel
Mountain Brook/Birmingham
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Let's get into the Holiday Spirit in the City of Cullman that will be all decked out and hosting their first modest rendition of the traditional German Christmas Market, the Cullman Christkindlmarkt:
Friday, December 10, 2021
Meeting time 5:30 p.m.
Cullman County Museum
Cullman
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TUM Wins the Indy Autonomous Race |
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21 Universities - 9 Teams - 9 Countries - made it to the finals. We are proud that both Auburn University and The University of Alabama (with the PoliMove team from Italy) made it to the finals. Auburn University and TUM had announced a strategic partnership early on. They did joint testing and data collection, but each team competed independently in the competition.
Thirty teams started the competition for a million-dollar prize. The challenge; to race a Dallara Indy Lights car head-to-head in competition around the Indianapolis Motor Speedway famed 2.5-mile oval at top speed.
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Dankeschön to our SUSTAINING Members: |
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Please help us welcome our new members:
CORPORATE/ASSOCIATE MEMBERSHIP
Jessica Li
President
Elk River Mechanical and Controls in Madison, Alabama has been serving the industry as a licensed general contractor since 2013. We specialize in the design, installation, project management, and integration of mechanical and electrical systems. Elk River Mechanical and Controls is committed to providing the highest levels of customer satisfaction. Our employees work tirelessly to meet and exceed our customers’ expectations whether working on-site or in the office. In 2020, we moved into our new business office located in Madison, Alabama. Elk River Mechanical and Controls is a woman-owned, licensed general and electrical contractor with a proven track record in Alabama, Tennessee as well as West Virginia.
As an AGP member, you can connect with them through the AGP membership database.
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American Associaton of Teachers of German |
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By Chase Trautwein, President for AL Chapter
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The American Association of Teachers of German (AATG) promotes the study of the German-speaking world in all its linguistic, cultural, and ethnic diversity, and endeavors to prepare students as transnational, transcultural learners and active, multilingual participants in a globalized world
The Alabama chapter of AATG had a wonderful profile in the latest newsletter.
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Lantern/St. Martin Fest at Tuscaloosa Academy |
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It is a yearly tradition for Tuscaloosa Academy to celebrate the German holiday St. Martin's Day:
Wednesday, November 10, 2021
5:30 p.m. (event starts ON TIME)
Tuscaloosa Academy
The event is open to the public - bring a lantern. AGP is proud to sponsor the event.
In Germany St. Martin's Day is one of the most popular of all saints' days especially with children. St. Martin was a Roman soldier. He was once at the gates of the city of Amiens in France during a terrible snowstorm when a freezing beggar appeared. Martin took his sword and cut his military cloak in half and gave it to the man. He was recognized for his kindness and humble manner. He was proposed to become Bishop of Tours. Martin hid in a barn to avoid the honor. A flock of geese gave his hiding place away with their gabbling and he was appointed Bishop.
The day is celebrated on the evening of November 11 in most areas of Germany. Children go through the streets with paper lanterns and sing songs about Saint Martin's generosity and the lanterns they are carrying. Very often, a man dressed as Saint Martin rides on a horse in front of the procession.
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Berliner Mauer by German Students from ASMS |
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Muriel Hoequist, M.A., German instructor at the Alabama School of Mathematics and Science proudly shared two of her German students' personal thoughts about the history of the "Berliner Mauer" (the Berlin Wall). The assignment was in German and the students only have 2 full years of high school German (one of those was a virtual year due to Covid-19). Well done!
Deutsche Geschichte Philip Herbst 2021 by Elbread Roh
Ich habe im Deutschunterricht viel Geschichte gelernt. Vor dem Unterricht dachte ich, dass die Berliner Mauer einfach gebaut war, wie aus Stacheldraht. Aber die Mauer hatte eigentlich viele Elemente und sie waren sehr kompliziert mit vielen Funktionen. Die Berliner Mauer hatte zum Beispiel Signalzäune, „Stalin-Rasen“ und Wachtürme. Ich finde diese Elemente schrecklich und unheimlich. Die Mauer war extrem gesichert, ähnlich wie die koreanische Mauer. Ich war 2019 im Sommer in Südkorea. Mein Opa und meine Oma haben in Gangwha gelebt, und Gangwha ist bei der Mauer. Deshalb habe ich die koreanische Mauer gesehen. Ähnlicherweise hat sie genau wie die Berliner Mauer viele Wachtürme und Zäune. Es gibt dort auch viele Soldaten.
Deutsche Nachkriegszeit Ben Herbst 2021 by Shrish Shetty
Vor diesem Unterricht hatte ich nicht viel über die Situation in Deutschland und die Mauer nachgedacht. Ich wusste, dass der Osten kommunistisch war und die Sowjets Ostdeutschland kontrolliert haben. Ich wusste, dass es eine schlechte Situation war.
Und ich wusste, dass Ronald Reagan eine Rede gehalten hat, und gesagt hat: “Mr. Gorbechev, tear down this wall”. Ich dachte, dass die Mauer gefallen ist, weil die DDR-Bürger auf die Mauer gestürmt sind. Weil so viele Menschen an der Grenze waren, haben die Grenzsoldaten alle Menschen passieren lassen. Es gibt aber viel Information über die Situation in Deutschland, die ich nicht gewusst habe.Zum Beispiel wusste ich nicht, wie kompliziert die Mauer war.
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Bham Now has listed a guide to some of Birmingham’s beautiful murals. Check out their list here.
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COVID-19 RELATED NEWS AND RESOURCES |
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Key Information for Travelers to Germany from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Visit CDC Website.
RESOURCES
We have collected a list of resources that can provide information and assistance during these challenging times. You can find them on our website under Helpful Resources.
AlabamaGermany Partnership:
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AlabamaGermany Partnership 1900 International Parkway Drive, Suite 105
Birmingham, AL 35245 www.AlabamaGermany.org
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