Tuscaloosa, Alabama – November 4th, 2011 – To formally record the common objectives of promoting investment, trade, and continued economic development, the States of Alabama, U.S.A. and Bremen, Germany will present and sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU).
The event, taking place at the North River Yacht Club, coincides with a reception to honor a visit from the Minister of Economics, Labor and Ports of the Federal State of Bremen, Germany Senator Martin Guenthner, and his delegation of Members of the Board from BLG Logistics Group and from Bremen Invest.The MOU is based on the many shared industries between the two states as well as outlining efforts of both recruitment of new, and promotion of existing companies.
Bremen and Alabama share such company locations as Mercedes-Benz, where as Bremen currently makes the C-Class, they will soon share the task with the Mercedes plant in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. Also headquartered in Bremen with their North American operations in Tuscaloosa is BLG Logistics, a 50% partner in Europe's largest port operating company "Eurogate". BLG is a major supplier to Daimler worldwide and currently employs 95 Alabamians.
Other shared companies include:
Mr. Andreas Heyer, CEO of WFB Bremen in Germany said, “For Alabama and other American companies, Germany is an obvious choice because it is one of the most stable and productive economies in the world. However, breaking into a new market can be intimidating and daunting to attempt by one’s self, and that’s what we’re here for."
Bremen has some similarities to the Southeast United States such as a large motivated, reliable and trainable workforce, low operating costs, lower taxes and comparatively lower costs of living. Kirk Atkinson, U.S. Director of Bremen Invest said, “With this MOU, we hope to progress economic development from a recruitment heavy strategy to putting more weight on exposing existing industries to new markets in order to create jobs at home.”
Picture:
From left to right: Mayor Walter Maddox, Tuscaloosa Alabama; Senator Gerald Allen, Alabama State Senate; Greg Canfield, Director ADO; Andreas Heyer, CEO BremenInvest; Martin Günthner, Senator (Minister) for the Economy, Labor and Ports of the Free Hanseatic City of Bremen; Rep. John H. Merrill, Alabama House of Representatives.