September 2024

AGP Young Professionals Outing to Montgomery Whitewater Center

Join the AGP Young Professionals (age 17 to 39) for a fun time whitewater rafting at the acclaimed Montgomery Whitewater Center. The Montgomery Whitewater Center was the host of Team USA Olympic Trials for Canoe and Kayak events earlier this year and recently named one of Time Magazine's 100 Most Interesting Places for 2024.

Saturday, September 14

1 p.m. to 4 p.m.

The Whitewater Center, Montgomery

Adventure Rafting - Experience both the Creek and Competition channels in this action-packed raft trip on Class II-IV rapids. Each raft trip is about 90 minutes, including the trip talk and gear-up process.

The rafting excursion starts at 1:30pm. Please make sure to arrive at the event no later than 1pm to complete a liability waiver and receive your gear.

The center also has a restaurant on location with snack, food and beverages for purchase.

AGP Traveling Stammtisch to Mobile

Come out to network at our monthly "Stammtisch". 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.

Tuesday, October 8, 2025

5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.

Wingman Brewing Company

Mobile

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 Unity Day: East Meets West

In observation of two important German events, the Fall of the Berlin Wall (November 9, 1989) and German reunification (October 3, 1990), we will host a panel of Germans to discuss what they recall from these events and their personal experiences living in Germany both before and after the Fall of the Berlin Wall (in English).

After the Berlin Wall came down in 1989, the German Democratic Republic joined the Federal Republic of Germany in 1990 for a unified Germany.

Join us for an educational discussion:

Wednesday, October 9, 2024

5:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.

Hoover Public Library

Moderator: Dr. Angela Ferguson, Assistant Professor of German at Samford University

German Panelists:

• Maike DeMaria, CEO, Capabilitix
• Lucas Gockel, Director of Research, Calhoun County Economic Development Council
• Jana Woodruff, German Realtor, RealtySouth
• Trudy Clements, Retired German Teacher

AGP Golf Tournament - A Swing for German Language Education

We are excited to host our second golf tournament. Please join us for a day of networking and a swing for German language education on the beautiful Valley course at the RTJ Golf Trail of Oxmoor Valley in Birmingham. All proceeds goes to the AGP Educational Fund to support the teachers and students of the German language education.

Four-person scramble that can be entered as a team or individual. Reserve your spot today!

Don't play? No problem; plenty of opportunities to sponsor.

Friday, November 1, 2024

7:15 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. (shotgun start at 8:30 a.m.)

RTJ Golf Trail of Oxmoor Valley

Birmingham

Registration fee includes green fee, cart fee, range balls, tournament scoring, breakfast and lunch; and the opportunity to bring home an award and/or prizes. Tournament is LIMITED to 72 Golfers!

Dankeschön to our PATRON Members:

AGP Young Professionals Welcome's New Chair

Please help us congratulate Joseph Lulka with Mercedes-Benz U.S. International on his new role as the AGP Young Professional's Chair starting September 1, 2024. Joseph has been a member of the AGP Young Professionals Leadership Group for the past two years. Joseph says, “It is an honor for me to be Chairman of the Young Professionals Group. I will work to give Young Professionals throughout the state the opportunity to socialize and network with leaders in German industry and with those who share an interest in German language and culture.”

Viktoria Hallman with JamisonMoneyFarmer stepped down as chair for the AGP Young Professionals last month after serving several years in the role. She will continue to serve in the Leadership group. Viktoria says, "With my family growing, it has become more apparent than ever that through AGP we have developed friendships that will last a lifetime. The connections we make and the bonds we build are what makes this organization so special. Cultivating a “home away from home” for some, while allowing others to find a new home that is all their own. While I may be stepping down as chair of the AGP Young Professionals, I am ever thankful to Joseph for answering the call and stepping into the role. I look forward to seeing all of you at future events and to connecting with everyone even more. Thank you for making my time as AGP Young Professionals chair memorable and, even more importantly, thank you for all your contributions to the group."

REHAU Automotive LLC Recognized for its Innovation and Technology

By A.J. O'Leary for Birmingham Business Journal

REHAU Automotive LLC is located in Cullman. Founded in 1995, the company is led by CEO Dieter Wiedmann and has 6,000 employees across the world and 550 local employees. The company has 25 locations in nine countries. 

The company’s Cullman plant produces bumpers, spoilers and rocker panels for automakers such as BMW, Mercedes-Benz and Nissan. REHAU is a Tier 1 manufacturer of exterior auto parts and has one production facility. 

The company has also placed heavy emphasis on driving safety and is innovating new technology to protect drivers on the road. 

Since electric vehicles do not have a radiator on the front, more space is available for other designs.  REHAU has designed the “Seamless Intelligent Vehicle Front,” which combines previously developed components all into one system. Features include lighting, logo, sensor and heating elements, which helps protect drivers. 

Read Birmingham Business Journal's Full Story.

Mercedes-Benz U.S. International Earns Recognition in Exporting

By A.J. O'Leary for Birmingham Business Journal

Growing emphasis on electric vehicles is making a behemoth manufacturer’s footprint in Alabama even larger. 

Arriving in Alabama in 1995 and led by recently appointed CEO Federico Kochlowski, Mercedes-Benz U.S. International has assembled more than 4 million vehicles since 1997. The company said it has been able to produce and export several vehicle models to global markets due to its highly flexible production system. 

Located in Vance, the company makes the GLE SUV, GLS Luxury SUV, GLE Coupe, Mercedes-Maybach GLS SUV, EQS SUV, EQE SUV and EQS SUV Maybach. 

Concerning exporting, they assemble the GLE, GLS, GLE Coupe, and the Mercedes-Maybach GLS for the world market. Nearly two-thirds of the SUVs produced by Mercedes in Alabama are exported to countries around the world. 

Due to the success of the M-Class (now called the GLE), Mercedes-Benz has more than tripled its operations at MBUSI. In 2023, MBUSI produced roughly 295,000 SUVs. 

Having 6,100 local employees, MBUSI was the first large Mercedes plant built outside of Germany. 

The company estimates its suppliers provide 57,000 jobs in the region. 

Read Birmingham Business Journal's Full Writeup.



Dankeschön to our SUSTAINING Members:

Airbus Celebrates Milestone in Mobile

By AL.com

Supply chains for engines and aircraft components continues to frustrate airlines waiting on Airbus and Boeing to assemble their planes and deliver them to customers.

Airbus had to roll back its production ramp up expectations earlier this summer, despite a global order backlog of its A220 and A320-family of planes that is the equivalent of around 13 years. Boeing, itself, is struggling with a crisis for in-flight blowouts of its 737 Max.

But despite struggles with the global aerospace industry, the European-based company’s North American operations were in a celebratory mood early August. During an event in Mobile, officials with the company and with the city and county expressed optimism toward continued growth while embracing a past that has seen the once-forgotten Brookley Aeroplex transformed into Alabama’s aerospace manufacturing hub.

“You know, 10 years ago we never built an airplane in Mobile,” said Mobile Mayor Sandy Stimpson, during a commemoration of Airbus’ 500th aircraft made at the Mobile manufacturing plant since it opened in 2016. “Today, we’re delivering the 500th airplane out of this facility. That is amazing.”

Read AL.com's Full Story Here!

BASF Environmental Catalyst and Metal Solutions receives Manufacturing Award for Sustainability

By BASF

BASF Environmental Catalyst and Metal Solutions (ECMS) has been awarded the Manufacturing Award for Sustainability at the inaugural Birmingham Business Journal (BBJ) Manufacturing Awards ceremony. This award acknowledges businesses that lead the way in minimizing environmental impact through innovative and sustainable practices.

“Our team is honored to receive the Manufacturing Award for Sustainability from the Birmingham Business Journal,” said Ray Weed, Huntsville Site Director, ECMS. “This recognition highlights our catalyst products’ vital role in reducing air pollution by removing hazardous compounds from our atmosphere. At the same time, we are proud of our site’s commitment to sustainability, exemplified by our Zero Waste to Landfill Gold Operations certification and focus on employee safety. We are dedicated to advancing environmental stewardship through our products and responsible operations.”

The BBJ Manufacturing Awards spotlight the outstanding contributions of Alabama’s manufacturing sector, which is essential to the state’s economy. The event highlighted 16 standout companies that employ thousands of local workers, drive innovation and achieve significant breakthroughs in their respective fields.



This achievement emphasizes ECMS’s commitment to sustainability and its role in advancing the state’s economic well-being. As a leading force in mobile emissions catalysts, ECMS consistently prioritizes innovation and environmental responsibility, fostering progress in our industry and within our communities.

Goethe-Zentrum in Atlanta

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