Delta's 100th Airbus A320 Produced in Mobile | | |
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In May, the Airbus team hosted Delta Air Lines, U.S. Senator Katie Britt, U.S. Representative Jerry Carl, Mobile Mayor Sandy Stimpson, and other community leaders and elected officials to celebrate Delta's 100th A320 Family aircraft produced right here in Mobile, Alabama.
The event served as an important reminder of Airbus' collective impact on the aerospace industry and its broader community. They are proud to celebrate this milestone and continue delivering safe, quality aircraft to their customers from our U.S. Manufacturing Facility in Mobile. Photo Credit: Airbus
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Austrian Company Plans to Invest $350 M | |
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By Birmingham Business Journal
A wood panel products producer in Oxford is embarking on a major expansion this year.
Kronospan plans to create 125 new jobs through a $350 million investment in its oriented strand board (OSB) manufacturing plant on a 460-acre site in Oxford. The project will include 44 acres of new development, including areas for product storage, rail spur, and loading docks. The Austrian company has operated in Alabama since 2008.
“This is not only an opportunity to further expand our portfolio of wood panel products in the United States but also meets our customers growing need for high-quality construction materials. Just like the other plants on our site, the OSB plant will be constructed with our sustainability principles in mind and will further enhance our negative carbon footprint status,” said Hans Obermaier, CEO of Kronospan’s North American companies.
Kronospan had invested over $89 million in capital projects since the winter months. The company also has recently invested in extending its medium-density fiberboard press, expanding capabilities at its particle board plant, construction of a new wood yard, and a new water treatment plant.
Oxford Mayor Alton Craft said Kronospan supported the Federation for Advanced Manufacturing Education program at Gadsden State Community College and initiated a forklift training program.
Kronospan is slated to soon employ 600 people in the state. Its latest investment will push the total it has spent on operating in the state north of $1 billion.
“Alabama has developed a close working relationship with Kronospan over the past 15 years, and it’s rewarding to see the company invest in new growth plans for the Oxford production center,” said Greg Canfield, secretary of the Alabama Department of Commerce.
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Dankeschön to our PATRON Members: | |
AGP Young Professionals Expanding Their Leadership Group | |
By Viktoria Gryska, Chair of the AGP Young Professionals | |
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The first new AGP Young Professionals leadership meeting in May.
The AGP Young Professionals leadership team has expanded and I am privileged to announce all the following additions to our AGP Young Professional leadership team:
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Jonathan Curry
Content coordinator
European Handball Federation
Jonathan's passion for German language and culture began in 2006 when he picked Germany as the subject of a senior economics project because of the FIFA World Cup. He studied abroad at the University of Innsbruck, Austria. In the past, he worked as freelance editor/translator for the German publisher redsport UG.
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Alexis Esneault
Legal Counsel
Beyond Gravity
Alexis has German family on both sides of her family tree. She took German at Samford University and is now working for a Swiss owned Aerospace company with German operations. Alexis have lived abroad in Liechtenstein where she, to her German family’s dismay, developed a Schwiizerdütsch accent.
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Ulrike Faerber
Director of Administration
Schnellecke Logistics
Ulrike, a native German from Chemnitz started to work for the German company Schnellecke Logistics in 2011 as a trainee and have since worked at several different locations for the company including Germany, Mexico, and the US.
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Joseph Lulka
Battery Analysis Engineer
Mercedes-Benz U.S. International
As a native of New Hampshire, Joseph graduated from the University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa. He majored in mechanical engineering and participated in the University’s International German Student Exchange Program (IGSEP). In Joseph’s current role, he is responsible for validating the product quality and production process of high-voltage batteries. Joseph has prior lived and worked in Stuttgart, Germany.
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Reese McWhorter
Student
The University of Alabama
Reese is finishing his Master’s this summer while holding a summer internship at AGP. He graduated in May 2022 with a major in economics with a minor in public policy. His primary interest is in economic development, public policy, international business, and foreign investment.
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Marcie Woodard
Resource Analyst
The Department of the Air Force
Marcie attended the Julius-Maximilians-Universität in Würzburg, Germany, where she studied economics and sinology. She spent 2.5 years in Germany. She is based in Huntsville but works for the DoD Robotic Process Automation program based in Maxwell-Gunter, Montgomery.
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Jan Zimehl
Project/Process Engineer
TBD
Jan is from Hamburg, Germany. He recently completed his master’s in Engineering Management at the University of Alabama in Birmingham (UAB). During his studies, he had an opportunity to work as a co-op at Mercedes-Benz U.S. International and Mercedes-Benz ExTra. Prior to coming to the US, Jan did an apprenticeship as an industrial mechanic at Beiersdorf AG and studied production engineering and management at HAW Hamburg.
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AGP's Young Professionals past chair, William Hodges with Mercedes-Benz U.S. International and Felix Faerber with Baker Donelson, will continue in the leadership group.
The first half of 2023 has allowed many of us to meet in person and establish wonderful relationships. We plan to keep in-person social and professional events at the forefront for the remainder of 2023 to continue to network with each other and our communities in the areas around Birmingham, Huntsville, and Tuscaloosa. The bonds that we generate with each other could be lifelong and life-changing.
We all look forward to a great second half of 2023, and we hope to see you all at your next event. Join us:
Thursday, June 29
5:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
Evonik Corporation in Birmingham
Evonik will offer time for refreshment and networking, followed by a presentation of the company and its constant investments in biomaterials research, development, and production. The visit will end with a tour of the facility. REGISTER TODAY!
The Young Professionals group is under the AlabamaGermany Partnership (AGP) umbrella. The age requirement is 17 to 39. Its members are interns, co-op, or employees of an Alabama-Germany company or institution. This also includes college students and graduate students studying the German language, international business, science, and engineering. The group promotes international education, individual career development with Alabama-German companies, and progressive business and engineering topics. We seek to foster strong intercultural networking opportunities and relationships, personal and professional development, and provide an easy-going place to socialize and engage with like-minded ambitious individuals.
Follow the AGP Young Professionals on Instagram & LinkedIn
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AGP Traveling Stammtisch & German Dinner in Foley | |
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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. The registration fee will include a German buffet. German beer is available to purchase seperately.
Come join us for our traveling AGP "Stammtisch" in Foley (close to Mobile):
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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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AGP German Business Committee | |
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The AGP German Business Committee is next meeting is June 7th in Birmingham.
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 participate in upcoming meetings, please email director@alabamagermany.org with your request.
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By Joseph Lulka, Mercedes-Benz U.S. International | |
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My name is Joseph Lulka, and I would like to share my story about how the AlabamaGermany Partnership has played an influential and positive role in my personal and professional life.
As a native of New Hampshire, I never thought that I would end up settling down in Alabama. However, I was drawn to move down South because of the University of Alabama and the warm weather. The University’s engineering program and its proximity to the automotive industry were key reasons why I decided to come to Alabama. I majored in mechanical engineering and participated in the University’s International German Student Exchange Program (IGSEP), through which I learned German. I had the privilege of studying abroad for a semester at the Hochschule Esslingen and of interning for six months at a German company.
After graduating in 2021, I began working as a Battery Analysis Engineer at Mercedes-Benz U.S. International’s new battery plant in Bibb County. I am responsible for validating the product quality of the high-voltage batteries. Speaking German has been advantageous in my work and has allowed me to communicate more directly with colleagues. My time living abroad has taught me how to navigate the cultural differences between America and Germany.
Ever since moving down to Alabama, the AlabamaGermany Partnership has given me the opportunity to meet leaders in German industry and those who share an interest in the German language and culture. I am very supportive of its mission promoting German education, business, and culture, and I am happy to call Alabama home!
Joseph have recently joined the AGP Young Professionals Leadership group.
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Dankeschön to our SUSTAINING Members: | |
8th German American Business Forum (DAWT) | | |
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Hello everyone!
My name is Reese McWhorter, and I am interning this summer at the Alabama-Germany Partnership. I am originally from Anniston, Alabama which is halfway between Birmingham and Atlanta in east Alabama. I am currently finishing up my Master’s in Public Administration this summer at the University of Alabama in Tuscaloosa as I plan to graduate in August with my master’s degree. I completed my undergraduate degree in May 2022 with a major in economics with a minor in public policy. I am very interested in economic development, public policy, international business, and foreign investment. These interests are what helped me find AGP while doing research for potential internships last summer. They are involved in aiding the people of Alabama and Germany to help improve their relationships with each other through programs such as cultural exchange, international business communication, and supporting expats who move to Alabama for their education or career.
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I believe that this internship will help me become more well-rounded as a student who is preparing to enter the workforce after graduation. It will help me learn more about the way international business is conducted, examine the impact German companies have on the state of Alabama, and meet people who share different beliefs and backgrounds that I can learn from. I am really looking forward to working with AGP over the summer! | |
Dr. Richard Guthrie 1941–2023 | |
By Lamar Smith, Past AGP Chair | |
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Auburn University’s Dr. Richard Guthrie passed away on January 23, 2023. Dr. Guthrie was a board member of the AlabamaGermany Partnership for many years. His support and sage advice in the early days contributed to AGP’s success for the past 25 years. Dr. Guthrie’s wife of 60 years and their three children are all Auburn graduates.
At Auburn Dr. Guthrie lettered in football and track and field. His undergraduate degree was in 1962 and his master’s degree also at Auburn was five years later. His Ph.D. was from Cornell.
In 2005 Dr. Guthrie was named Dean of the Department of Agriculture at Auburn. For many years he led numerous farmers and various university and governmental officials on study trips to Germany. He likewise hosted many German farmers and various officials on study trips to Alabama. His influence was far reaching and he is sorely missed.
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Please help us welcome our new members:
CORPORATE - ASSOCIATE
Automotive Aftermarket Fund
Hali Key
Marketing Director
Automotive Aftermarket Fund (AAF) is a self-insured group workers’ compensation fund governed and regulated by the Alabama Department of Labor. It is provided by the Automotive Aftermarket
Association Southeast, Inc. (AAAS) as a service for its members. As the sponsoring association for AAF, AAAS has been instrumental in improving the business climate for parts suppliers, body shops, garages, machine shops, manufacturers, auto & equipment dealers, etc., all across the state of Alabama. AAAS offers an array of programs and services that benefit businesses in the automotive aftermarket industry. AAF is governed by a Board of Trustees comprised of members from various regions of the state who also operate and conduct business in the Automotive Aftermarket Industry and related Automotive Industries. The AAAS & AAF board of directors feels that membership in the association and participation in any or all of the programs would offer you an opportunity to operate your business more efficiently.
Learn more at: www.mrm-llc.com
As an AGP member, you can connect with them through the
AGP membership database.
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Join AlabamaGermany Partnership (AGP) | |
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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.
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AlabamaGermany Partnership 1900 International Parkway Drive, Suite 105
Birmingham, AL 35245 www.AlabamaGermany.org
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