February | 2020
Join Us for AGP 22nd Annual Celebration Dinner
AGP 22nd Annual Celebration Dinner
US Space & Rocket Center, Huntsville
March 4, 5:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.

Join us for an evening of celebration of the Alabama-Germany friendship. Our biggest event of the year that brings German and American leaders from industrial, cultural, educational and governmental sections together. Expected attendance is 250+. Enjoy our reception and a dinner program including recognizing 2019 new and expanding German companies in Alabama.

Wednesday, March 4, 2020 
5:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
U.S. Space & Rocket Center, Huntsville

Program:
5:30 p.m. Reception, Networking & Silent Auction under the Saturn V Rocket
7:00 p.m. Dinner Program including recognizing 2019 New and expanding German companies in Alabama, the Barbara Fischer Education Award and the prestigious Rainer Bauer Award. 
Keynote Speaker:
Jody Singer
Director, Marshall Space Flight Center
NASA

Remarks from Dept. of Commerce:

Greg Canfield
Secretary of Commerce


NEW PHONE NUMBER FOR AGP!

DID WE MISS YOUR CALL?

We got a brand new phone number:

(205) 341-7880
Dankeschön to our PATRON Members:
AGP Business Forum at HudsonAlpha Institute for Biotechnology
Join us for a morning with one of Alabama's leading institutes for biotechnology. Learn about the latest within the field from HudsonAlpha Institute's   scientists, educators, economic developers and entrepreneurs.

Thursday, March 5
8:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
Huntsville

We will finish the morning with a walking tour of the institute  illustrating the four mission areas of the biotech campus: 1) conducting genomics-based research to improve human health and agriculture; 2) caring for patients using genomic medicine; 3) fostering bioscience entrepreneurs; and 4) providing educational outreach to nurture the next generation of biotech researchers and entrepreneurs, as well as to create a biotech literate public.
Winkelmann Flowform Technology expands in Auburn
By Auburn News
Winkelmann Flowform Technology (WFT) LP is expanding its Auburn operation, investing $2.2 million and creating 12 new jobs over the next two years.

The Germany-based company’s high-precision flow forming operation opened its first U.S. location in Auburn in 2017. Since then, the family-owned company has seen continued growth in the aerospace and defense segments of their business as a result of their decades of experience in pioneering forming technologies.

“We are very happy with the response by the market to WFT establishing the U.S. operation, and we are adding additional capabilities in the Alabama operation as part of this expansion,” explained Sebastian Thoele, president of Winkelmann Flowform Technology.

Winkelmann’s operation in the Auburn Industrial Park is home to the largest vertical flow-forming machinery in the Americas and serves the aerospace and defense industries as well as the commercial vehicle and oil and gas industry.

“It is an honor to be a trusted location for such a well-renowned company that has been an industry leader for over a century,” said Auburn Mayor Ron Anders. “We’re grateful for the pro-business environment our community has cultivated to support such companies, and we’re proud that Winkelmann Flowform Technologies calls Auburn home.”

For more information on Winkelmann Flowform Technology, visit  winkelmann-flowforming.us  
AGP Young Professionals Social Hour
Please join us for AGP Young Professionals (age 21 to 39) Social Hour:

Thursday, February 20, 2020
6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Birmingham

The meetup will be at Mayawell, one of Birmingham's newest cocktail bars specializing in agave-based spirits. This is our first meetup of the year. Come on out to network and celebrate a brand new year full of opportunities. 
AGP's New Members
Corporate / Regular

Johannes Eff
Key Account Manager




Thank You to Our Current Members for Upgrading to Patron Membership Level:

Bobby Ingram
CPA/PFS, CGMA, CFP®, Shareholder




Mike Lee
President & CEO



Dankeschön to our SUSTAINING Members:
Seeking Tech Talent, Companies Kickstart Apprenticeship Programs
By Agam Shah, The Wall Street Journal
Companies challenged by the shortage of skilled technology staff are using an old-fashioned method - the apprenticeship - to recruit nontraditional workers for entry-level roles.

The applicants, many with just a high-school education, are getting months of training in digital skills, including programming languages such as C++, building a pathway to more challenging roles and higher salaries.

“The rapid change seen particularly in high-tech presents a challenge for education to adapt quickly enough. Industry cannot wait and is forced to take additional steps,” said Charlie Ackerman, senior vice president of human resources for North America at Robert Bosch GmbH. The Germany-based engineering company and auto-parts supplier is focusing on developing its electric and autonomous car technologies.
AAMA Automotive Supply Chain and Logistics Conference
AGP Stammtisch
Join us for our monthly AGP "Stammtisch":

Tuesday, March 3

6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.

Brät Brot, 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.

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 Tuesday of the month.
AGP Membership 2020


Thank you for your support as an AlabamaGermany Partnership (AGP) member in 2019!

The support and sponsorship from our members enabled us to continue to grow the organization and its programming. This past year we were able to host and/or support: Sustainable Mobility Forum in cooperation with German American Chamber of Commerce South; Workforce Business Forum; German Federal Minister Altmaier and German Ambassador Haber’s visit to Alabama; Lunch & Learn with the Canadian Consul; German Dinners; Networking Events; AGP Study Trip to Germany; Cross-Cultural Training; German Unity Day; Fall of the (Berlin) Wall; German class school visits; German language immersion weekend for high school students; monthly AGP Stammtisch; hosting AGP Young Professionals group and AGP’s German Business Committee, plus more.

Membership renewals have been sent out and we hope you will renew your membership or become a new member TODAY! Your support will help us keep providing new programming and our ability to connect businesses, organizations, governments, and individuals. Didn’t get your renewal? Email us at director@alabamagermany.org or use link below to renew.

We are looking forward to an exciting 2020 with y’all! 
What Happening in Alabama