Alabama Germany Partnership event celebrates business, cultural ties
Jo Bonner, left, chief of staff for Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey, surprises Alabama Commerce Secretary Greg Canfield with the Rainer Bauer Award at the Alabama Germany Partnership dinner. (Jennifer Jones)
German corporate investment in Alabama is certainly brightest with the three-pointed star of Mercedes-Benz, but the Alabama Germany Partnership (AGP) made clear at its annual dinner that the renowned automaker isn’t the only German star shining in the state.
Ten companies, including Mercedes, were recognized during AGP’s annual awards dinner at Regions Field Thursday night for investing $227 million in the state last year. They are:
- ALDI Inc., which announced a $100 million regional corporate headquarters and distribution center in Loxley.
- Berg Pipe, which announced a $15 million expansion at its steel pipe operation in Mobile.
- Evonik Corporation, which announced a $22.8 million expansion at its Birmingham biotechnology facility.
- Fehrer Automotive North America, for a $6.1 million expansion at its Gadsden plant, where it makes seat foam for the automotive industry.
- Heiche US Surface Technologies, an automotive supplier, for investing $16 million to establish a new operation in Jasper for advanced metals coating.
- Knauf Insulation, which is investing $5.3 million to expand its plant in Lanett.
- Mercedes-Benz U.S. International for a $53.6 million parts assembly and sequencing facility for electric vehicle production in Tuscaloosa County.
- REHAU Automotive, which is investing $12.8 million at its automotive exterior moldings plant in Cullman.
- Sherman Industries, which was acquired by Heidelberg Cement AG in 2007, for a $3 million investment at its Tarrant concrete plant.
- SWJ TECHNOLOGY, in Tuscaloosa, which provides engineering, planning and project management services, for its $2 million investment in 2020.
It was the first large gathering since the pandemic began for many of the 262 in attendance and included addresses from Gov. Kay Ivey, Birmingham Mayor Randall Woodfin and German American Chamber of Commerce South CEO Matthias Hoffmann.
Alabama Germany Partnership strengthens relationships through culture, education and business from Alabama NewsCenter on Vimeo.
For Hoffmann, it was the first large gathering he’s attended since last year’s AGP dinner in Huntsville, which marked his first visit to the state.
Alabama is an appropriate place to frequent for someone in his position, he said.
“Alabama is one of the most important investment locations for Germany, not just in the Southeast, but in the United States,” Hoffmann said.
At the conclusion of the dinner, Alabama Commerce Secretary Greg Canfield was surprised with the Rainer Bauer Award, AGP’s highest individual honor.
Ivey praised Canfield’s efforts.
“Alabama and Germany have developed a special relationship over the years, and no one has worked harder to strengthen the economic and personal bonds that tie us together than Commerce Secretary Greg Canfield,” Ivey said. “Greg has spearheaded efforts to help numerous German companies launch their growth plans in Alabama, providing benefits that will be felt in communities for generations. This honor is well-deserved.”
Canfield was speechless, something he admitted was rare for him. Afterward, he spoke to Alabama NewsCenter about the ties linking Alabama and Germany, noting that AGP emphasizes culture, education and business relationships in that order.
“I really think that’s the right order,” Canfield said. “As we explore and develop and deepen and improve those relationships and the cultures that we share, and then move into education and move into the areas where we have mutual goals of educating our children and those back home – that brings us together and business follows. Business will always follow great cultural sharing and good educational opportunities that are shared as well.”
Brian Hilson is the rural development strategist with the Economic Development Association of Alabama and chairman of AGP. He shares Canfield’s belief that the relationship between Germany and Alabama goes beyond business and benefits from a long history.
Alabama Germany Partnership Chairman Brian Hilson speaks at the AGP dinner. (Jennifer Jones)
“The Alabama Germany Partnership embraces the cultural, educational and business interests that we share with our German friends – both individuals and companies,” he said. “The economic development achievements our state has enjoyed with Germany date back to the early 1970s but really accelerated in the 1990s because of Mercedes and all of the suppliers and other automotive companies that have come since.”
Moreover, German companies that locate in Alabama become cheerleaders for the state around the world thanks to what Canfield calls “the Alabama charm” – a combination of a great workforce, natural beauty and Southern hospitality.
Hilson said when German companies invest in Alabama, it touches multiple parts of the state.
“We have about 80 German companies in Alabama today and 10 of them last year had some type of growth – they were either new to Alabama or they expanded,” he said. “Of course, that was despite the pandemic. Those 10 companies collectively create 683 additional jobs and invested $227 million more in capital.
“Those 10 growing German companies in Alabama from year 2020 had their growth in eight different counties and 10 different communities,” Hilson added. “Geographic diversity is important to us because workforce diversity is also important.”
Add to that Germany’s position as a trade partner and the connections to Alabama become even more significant.
“This partnership means a lot in the state,” Canfield said. “Germany has been one of our top three partners in trade each and every year. It’s one of our top three – usually one of our top one or two – investors in the state of Alabama, as well as job creators. This continues that tradition.”
Also at Thursday’s event, Dr. Anja Werth of Auburn University was awarded the Dr. Barbara Fisher Award, AGP’s top education honor.
The Alabama Germany Partnership, established in 1998, is a statewide, nonprofit organization dedicated to the development of educational, business, cultural and social relationships among individuals and organizations with ties to both Alabama and Germany.
