New Consulate General of the Federal Republic of Germany
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Please help us welcome the new Consulate General of the Federal Republic of Germany in Atlanta (covering the Southeast US), Melanie Moltmann.
Mrs. Moltmann is married with three children and comes from Berlin in Germany, where she was Deputy Head of Division for Immigration Law, Visa, and Immigration Policy. She has served as Deputy Head of Mission at the German Embassies in Armenia and Uzbekistan. Mrs. Moltmann has studied law in Germany, UK, and Russia.
We look forward to welcoming her to the state of Alabama the Beautiful.
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German Company Visit to Schmidt Automotive USA in Auburn |
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General Manager Joerg Wilmink (far right) and the management team.
The German manufacturer Schmidt Maschinenbau GmbH announced in 2015 that it had selected Auburn, Alabama, as the location for its first U.S. manufacturing operation. It was a $17 million investment. Within one year the production of powertrain components for Nissan and Mercedes-Benz started.
The German general manager, Joerg Wilmink, has been with Schmidt Automotive USA LP in Auburn, for the last three years. His English reveals his past 20 years in and out of the US. He and his family are now enjoying Auburn tremendously. Mr. Wilmink eagerly shares the story of Schmidt, the role of the Auburn plant, the tight-knit and effective local leadership team, and the continued close working relationship with Arndt Siepmann, Deputy Director of Economic Development at the City of Auburn.
Schmidt has two locations in Germany. One is the headquarter in Westhausen-Lippach very close to Aalen in South Germany and another location in Eberswalde close to Berlin. Schmidt has 360 employees in total. Herbert Schmidt founded the company in Westhausen-Lippach in 1985. The company is part of the MAT Foundry Group Ltd, which is part of MAT Holdings Inc. MAT Holdings is an American company with 17,000 employees and 50+ entities worldwide. The MAT Foundry Group HQ in Poole South England is a family of companies offering design, casting, manufacturing, and assembly of high-quality grey and ductile cast iron and forged parts for automotive and industrial applications. The MAT Foundry Group’s companies are divided into 3 divisions: industrial, powertrain, and brakes. Schmidt can be found in the Powertrain division. MAT Holdings is privately owned and operated. It is interesting to notice that there is an intensive and very effective exchange of product knowledge and process technologies between the companies in the MAT Foundry Group. In addition, Schmidt Automotive USA LP is vertically integrated with Mincer HD in Mexico: Castings come from Mincer to Schmidt. Schmidt as Tier 1 or Tier 2, is machining and assembling components and modules for Tier 1 and OEMs in North America.
For over 30 years, Schmidt has produced precision parts for complex machining applications. Through its in-house expertise as a cutting specialist, Schmidt achieves efficient production of turned parts and economic milling for its customers, with a focus on machining and grinding of forged or cast parts. Intelligent utilization of automation technology and assembly know-how allows Schmidt to provide complete systems for the automotive industry, combining critical precision requirements with high volume production. Their main products are Lanchester balancer, engine and transmission shafts, gears, differential housings, and assemblies. They count many of the global top-class OEMs as their customers.
The powertrain components produced in Auburn are ductile iron housings and transmission shafts that are assembled to Lanchester balancer modules. The soft/hard machining, grinding, and assembling take place at the Auburn plant. It is a high precision and high volume production. A very thorough quality inspection is needed and every part produced goes through a scanner to detect any problems. 225,000 parts are produced yearly for Mercedes-Benz C-Class and Nissan Infinity Q50 which is achieved by their very high automation production line.
The Auburn plant is 45,000 sq with plenty of capability to expand up to 150,000 sq ft. Before the pandemic, they ran 3 shifts, Monday to Friday, with 23 people. Currently, they run 2 shifts over 5 days with 16 people. The Auburn company might be small in size but has a very strong development of their employees with 5 training levels. The employees are skilled and highly motivated. In 2019, the company was ISO 9001 certified and is currently upgrading its QMS to achieve the IATF 16949 certification within this year.
When I left Schmidt Automotive USA in Auburn, I left with the impression of a company that proudly, not only manufactures critical high precision components and sophisticated assemblies but also exchanges technologies and know-how with great success within the MAT Foundry Group. Schmidt Automotive USA is dedicated to delivering the highest product and services quality for their highly valued customer. They are aware that at the center of their success is the constant development of their talented associates: They are in the pursuit of excellence.
Schmidt Automotive USA is open for business!
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German Company HeidelbergCement makes investment in a Birmingham Supply chain tech company Command Alkon |
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By Tyler Patchen, The Business Journals |
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HeidelbergCement, a German-based manufacturer of building materials and solutions, has signed an agreement to make a minority investment to acquire 45% in Command Alkon. This deal is part of HeidelbergCement's new partnership with San Francisco-based software investment firm Thoma Bravo, which acquired Command Alkon in 2020. Thoma Bravo will retain the majority ownership of Command Alkon. Exact financial figures were not disclosed.
"This partnership is a unique opportunity to accelerate digital change across the heavy building materials supply chain," said Phil Ramsey, CEO of Command Alkon. "HeidelbergCement is a leading industry player, and their investment is a validation of our strategy, solutions, and the outstanding customer experience we offer. This transaction will better position Command Alkon to expand our geographic footprint and execute our transition to the cloud. We look forward to continuing to benefit from our partnership with HeidelbergCement and Thoma Bravo as we continue to provide automation and business process technologies that deliver value to our customers and stakeholders across the construction industry.”
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REHAU in Cullman expands, creating 125 new jobs |
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By Erica Joiner West for Business Alabama |
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A worker at REHAU’s Cullman plant assembles the exterior bumper for Mercedes-Benz U.S. International. The plant is undergoing a $50 million expansion. Photo courtesy of Governor’s Office/Hal Yeager
Last month REHAU announced a $50 million expansion in Cullman.
The automotive supplier’s expansion was prompted by a contract win to build exterior polymer-based components for Mercedes-Benz SUV models, including its new line of electric vehicles, the EQ models.
“Twenty-five years ago, REHAU followed Mercedes-Benz AG to the U.S. from the Bavarian town of Rehau to Cullman, Alabama. We were one of their earliest partners in launching their first SUV. Now, we are honored and excited that they have placed their faith in us once again to support the launch of their new models,” said REHAU Automotive Plant Manager Dr. Venki Padmanabhan.
The investment will go towards new production equipment and tooling and a rearrangement of the Cullman facility. It also will create 125 new jobs.
“REHAU has played a vital role in the success of Alabama’s automotive industry for 25 years and it’s great to see the company expand its operation in Cullman,” said Gov. Kay Ivey. “This expansion and the 125 new jobs it will create will be vital to Mercedes-Benz’ growth right here in Sweet Home Alabama. This investment shows that the Alabama-Germany Partnership has never been stronger.”
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Dankeschön to our PATRON Members: |
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AGP Stammtisch in Birmingham and Huntsville |
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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 monthly AGP "Stammtisch":
Wednesday, October 6, 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, September 9, 2021
5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
Straight to Ale Brewing, Huntsville
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AGP Webinar Steinstuecken - A little Pocket of Freedom - Donald Smith
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Join us for a talk with Donald Smith about his new book "Steinstuecken - A little Pocket of Freedom":
Thursday, October 21, 2021
12:00 p.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Zoom Webinar
When the Cold War split Berlin in half, between East and West, one neighborhood was trapped in the middle and became a symbol of Cold War tensions. For more than twenty years, the hamlet of Steinstuecken was caught in a tug-of-war between the Americans and the Communists. Steinstuecken: A Little Pocket of Freedom, tells this hamlet’s story against the backdrop of the Cold War in Western Europe. Steinstuecken officially belonged to the U.S.Occupation Sector of Berlin. But, it was located outside the city boundaries, completely surrounded by East German territory. No West Berlin-owned roads or trails connected it to the city. It was a de facto Western island in a Communist sea. America could have turned its back on Steinstuecken—but it didn’t. U.S. officials in Berlin rose to the hamlet’s defense. During the Berlin Wall crisis, the Americans sent a Military Police (MP) detachment to the village to ensure its safety. Army MPs maintained an outpost in Steinstuecken for more than ten years, flying in and out on Army helicopters. Steinstuecken was a test of America’s resolve to keep its promise to defend West Berlin. It was a frequent target of Communist pressure. The neighborhood’s name was often in the news; its fate drew the attention of world leaders—even the President of the United States. Meanwhile, the villagers tried to live as normal a life as possible. Steinstuecken: A Little Pocket of Freedom describes the challenges America faced in occupied Berlin and the courage so many West Berliners showed when facing Communist soldiers on a daily basis.
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German Unity Day is celebrated on October 3 to commemorate the unification of the Federal Republic of Germany and the German Democratic Republic into a single federal Germany on the same date in 1990. A public holiday, the day is characterized by concerts, communal meals, speeches by politicians, and fireworks.
After WWII, Germany was divided into four military sectors, each controlled by France, the United States, the United Kingdom, and the Soviet Union. In 1949, the Federal Republic of Germany was formed and, on October 7 of the same year, the German Democratic Republic (also known as the DDR — ‘Deutsche Demokratische Republik’) was formed.
The Berlin Wall and the Brandenburg Gate are two very important symbols of Germany’s division and the unification of Germany in 1990. Images of both of these are put on display on German Unity Day all across Germany. The day is celebrated as a three-day festival around the Brandenburg Gate and at the Reichstag around Platz der Republik.
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Germans have elected a new parliament |
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Germans have elected a new parliament. But forming a government and selecting a new chancellor will take a while. Until then Angela Merkel will remain in office.
Negotiations to form a new government can take months, but the freshly elected Bundestag gets to work relatively quickly. In accordance with the German Constitution, it must convene no later than 30 days after the election — that's by October 26 this year.
If the new Bundestag cannot immediately elect a chancellor during its first session, because the coalition negotiations have not yet been finalized, President Frank-Walter Steinmeier will ask Chancellor Angela Merkel and her Cabinet to continue serving until the new government is chosen and sworn in.
There is no time limit for this phase. Angela Merkel could still be in the office at Christmas. After December 17, 2021, she would then have surpassed Chancellor Helmut Kohl's previous record of 5,869 days in office.
After the election, Angela Merkel will initially be allowed to continue with all her previous duties. These include personnel matters. So she could dismiss ministers and appoint new ones.
Appointments scheduled for the Chancellor also have to be attended. Because it is unlikely that a new government will be formed so soon, Angela Merkel will probably travel to Rome, for example, for the meeting of the leading economic powers, the G20 summit, at the end of October.
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Dankeschön to our SUSTAINING Members: |
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The Biden Administration Is Lifting The COVID-19 Travel Bans |
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By David Shepardson and Andrea Shalal for Reuters
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The United States will reopen in November to air travelers from 33 countries including China, India, Brazil, and most of Europe who are fully vaccinated against COVID-19, the White House said on Monday, easing tough pandemic-related restrictions that started early last year.
The decision, announced by White House coronavirus response coordinator Jeff Zients, marked an abrupt shift for President Joe Biden's administration, which said last week it was not the right time to lift any restrictions amid rising COVID-19 cases.
The United States had lagged many other countries in lifting such restrictions, and allies welcomed the move. The U.S. restrictions have barred travelers from most of the world including tens of thousands of foreign nationals with relatives or business links in the United States.
The United States will admit fully vaccinated air travelers from the 26 so-called Schengen countries in Europe including France, Germany, Italy, Spain, Switzerland, and Greece, as well as Britain, Ireland, China, India, South Africa, Iran, and Brazil. The unprecedented U.S. restrictions have barred non-U.S. citizens who were in those countries within the past 14 days.
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The Alexander von Humboldt Foundation - German Chancellor Fellowship
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By The Alexander von Humboldt Foundation
The Alexander von Humboldt Foundation is searching for the leaders of tomorrow. Are you a graduate with initial leadership experience? Do you come from Brazil, the People’s Republic of China, India, the Russian Federation, South Africa or the USA? Would you like to implement a self-chosen project that supports your career development, is societally relevant and has a lasting public impact? Are you interested in actively participating in an international network of dedicated leaders? Then come to Germany with a German Chancellor Fellowship from the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation to take the next step of your career.
The fellowship program is under the patronage of the Federal Chancellor of the Federal Republic of Germany. Up to 60 German Chancellor Fellowships are awarded each year – up to ten per country.
This fellowship for prospective leaders brings you to Germany for one year to implement a project idea you have developed yourself. They will help you network with international future leaders there to find new answers to the global issues of our time.
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Streaming German Film and Series in the USA |
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The telescopefilm.com, a website for international film. In collaboration with the agency German Films, they have a special page on their site where users can search any German film or series and find out if it’s streaming in the US and where: telescopefilm.com/germanfilms.
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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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