RTL International Launches in the US - Top 50 German Firms in the US Interview with Wayne Smith, Chairman and CEO of BASF Corporation - AHK New York
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Q U A R T E R L Y
2nd Quarter 2016
Vo l. 27 No . 2 $7. 50
RTL International Launches in the US
Top 50 German Firms in the US
Interview with Wayne Smith,
Chairman and CEO of BASF Corporation
Can a city serve as inspiration?
Find out what it takes to get a company started and attract
investors with the series Start Up Berlin – City of Ideas. It’s
only on Made in Germany – the Business Magazine – on
DW and DW (Amerika).
Go to
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E D I T O R I A L C O N T E N T S
Transatlantic nTRANSATLANTIC T I C K E R
Solutions German American Company News 4
for Integrated nECONOMIST’S C O R N E R
Sandra Navidi, BeyondGlobal:
Industry Networks Rule the World 7
H annover Messe is already the
leading industrial trade show in
the world. And yet, it is going to offer
nC O V E R S T O R Y
New Television Station for a German Audience
RTL International Launches in the US 8
an even grander stage this year. With
the US, the largest economy in the nS P O T L I G H T S
world, as the partner country, the 2016 Top 50 Ranking 14
fair promises to offer an unprecedented
nG TA I I N D U S T R Y T A L K
spectrum of exhibitors, visitors, and
innovators. And with Barack Obama US photovoltaics market remains
opening the trade show, the impor- on whopping growth curve 20
Dr Jochen Köckler,
tance of this historic partnership is Deutsche Messe AG
nWA S H I N G T O N U P D A T E
evident for the world to see.
“Industry 4.0 is no Interview with Congressman Ted Deutch 24
Under the motto “Integrated Industry
- Discover Solutions”, Hannover
longer a vision. In 2016, nS K I L L S A T W O R K
The GACCs –
Messe will zero in on the pivotal it is full-fledged reality.” Your Key Partner in the US for dual training 26
transformation of the global econo-
mies. The 5000 exhibiting companies Throughout the recent industrial nM E M B E R P R O F I L E S
will present their solutions for renaissance, the US has become a Air Berlin 28
Industry 4.0 and future energy highly attractive business partner and
systems to potential business partners is the top export market for German Aerzen USA 30
from all over the world, and will manufacturers. This dynamic relation- zkipster 32
showcase more than 100 ready-for- ship is bound to profit from synergies
market examples of Integrated that can be discovered and furthered nWELCOME T O T H E C - S U I T E
Industry solutions. at Hannover Messe. At the US Interview with Wayne Smith
Investment pavilion, more than 70 Chairman and CEO of BASF Corporation 34
Through countless special events, in Economic Development Organizations
nS TA R T U P S E R I E S
addition to the standing exhibitors, the (EDOs) and co-exhibitors from the
trade show will elaborate on potential United States will showcase them- GACC West and LACI
advantages in smart manufacturing, selves to 200,000+ visitors. The Progress in the Cleantech Industry 36
the integration of the Industrial pavilion is a testament to the strength Captivate New York City 38
Internet of Things (IoT), implications and vitality of German-American
for consumers and manufacturers alike trade relations, as well as the eager- nWHAT'S ON YOUR DESK?
(think autonomous driving) and offer ness of businesses to work together Tom Dzimian,
concrete solutions. with potential transatlantic clients. Director Career Services,
GACC New York 40
The show will not only feature Hannover Messe, with the USA as the
nE V E N T C A L E N D A R
innovative technologies, but also official partner country, will be where
allow exploring new business models the titans of industry from around the Events & Delegations: Q2 2016 41
that result from Industry 4.0. It is world come together to implement the
crucial for companies on both sides of newest industrial revolution. It is the
the Atlantic to explore the opportuni- place where German quality meets
ties and potentials that a more American innovation to build the
integrated, digitized economic transatlantic future together – and I
landscape offers. look forward to seeing you there!
T R A N S A T L A N T I C T I C K E R
MERGERS to Nasdaq, possibly to improve its Tableau Scores Advanced
_&_
merger bid for the London Stock Database Tech with Acquisi-
ACQUISITIONS
Exchange if rival offers emerged. tion of German Startup HyPer
Airbus Sells German Defence Deutsche Börse, eyeing a merger with Tableau announced today that it has
Arm to KKR for Euro 1.1bn the London Stock Exchange, has acquired HyPer, an early-stage
Airbus is selling its German defence agreed to sell its U.S. options German startup born in academia
electronics arm to private equity firm platform International Securities that has developed an advanced
KKR, 18 months after first putting it Exchange for $1.1 billion to Nasdaq, database technology. Tableau
up for sale, in a deal that values the exiting a market that has sharply lost intends to incorporate the technol-
military business at Euro1.1bn value since the financial crisis and ogy into its product set. Tableau is a
including debt. The European where it saw little chance of become business intelligence and analytics
aerospace group will retain a 25 per a top player. company, taking business data and
cent stake in the company, which >> www. global.handelsblatt.com helping companies make sense of it.
may have helped to reassure the The new HyPer database technology
German government. Berlin has been SMA Acquires Stake in should provide a performance boost
closely involved in the disposal, U.S. Firm Tigo Energy across Tableau products, Patrice
according to people close to the Germany's SMA Solar Technology AG Pelland, senior director for engineer-
process. Airbus will hold the stake will acquire a 27% stake in the Los ing at Tableau told TechCrunch.
for a maximum of three years, a Gatos, California-based Tigo Energy, >> www.techcrunch.com
company spokesman said. Inc., in a $20 million capital increase
>> www. ft.com deal. As part of the agreement, SMA Diebold CEO Says Will
has secured for 30 months exclusive Not Raise Wincor Offer
Deutsche Börse’s Nasdaq Deal rights for worldwide sales of Tigo U.S. ATM maker Diebold Inc (DBD.N)
Deutsche Börse has agreed to sell its Energy's new TS4 Retrofit product is not considering raising its $1.8
U.S. options business International platform for module optimization. billion offer for German rival
Securities Exchange for $1.1 billion >> www.pv-magazine.com Wincor Nixdorf (WING.DE) and will
not lower the acceptance threshold,
A D V E R T I S E M E N T
its chief executive told Reuters in an
interview. Wincor Nixdorf share-
holders have until March 22 to
accept Diebold's cash and share offer
and it remains unclear whether the
U.S. company will reach the required
total of 75 percent support.
>> www.reuters.com
USS
Procter & Gamble (PG)
Selling Pert Shampoo Brand
to German Company
U.S. Steuerberatung LLC Procter & Gamble is shedding one of
its more well-known shampoo lines,
international accounting & tax consulting part of the company's larger plan to
get rid of up to 100 brands that
www.ussteuerberatung.com don't have strong growth prospects.
For the most part, P&G has been
dropping overseas brands that most
people here in the U.S. wouldn't
T R A N S A T L A N T I C T I C K E R
recognize. But Thursday, Reuters possible merger and acquisition Wichita for 10 years. Viega CEO
reported, German consumer and deals, its chief executive said on Dave Garlow said in a statement that
industrial products firm Henkel Thursday. Chief Executive Markus discussions will start next month on
agreed to purchase Pert from P&G. Braun said he expected to make a specifics for the move, including
>> www.wcpo.com "strong move" into the United location and a timeline.
States, the last frontier in Wirecard's >> www.denverpost.com
German-Based Firm global expansion plans, and that it
Thyssen’sche Handelsgesell- was in initial talks on potential deals Software Maker Moves
schaft m.b.H Acquires but these remain in their early U.S. HQ to Austin,
Anomatic from Brookstone stages. Names New CEO
Partners >> www.reuters.com Shopgate Inc., a German mobile
German investment company commerce company, is moving its
Thyssen’sche Handelsgesellschaft MARKET ENTRIES U.S. headquarters from California to
m.b.H (THG) has acquired controlling _&_ Austin under the guidance of a new
interest in Anomatic from Brook- RELOCATIONS CEO. The appointment of former
stone Partners. Anomatic specializes German Manufacturer Chief Operating Officer and Chief
in colour anodized aluminium Viega Bringing 190 Jobs Financial Officer Marc Biel to the
packaging solutions and also to Colorado CEO position comes weeks after the
provides laser engraving, embossing A German plumbing equipment company’s relocation to Austin.
and screen-printing services. The manufacturer announced Friday it Shopgate, which completed a $15
company runs state-of-the-art will be leaving Kansas and heading million Series C round of funding
facilities in Ohio, Connecticut and for Colorado. Viega LLC will relocate last year, plans to hire 50 Austin
Suzhou, China. The financial terms its U.S. headquarters from Wichita to workers this year, according to a
of the acquisition were not disclosed. Denver, bringing 190 jobs to the company announcement.
>> www.premiumbeautynews.com state. The plumbing and heating >> www.bizjournals.com
systems manufacturer has been in
VirtualWorks of Boca
Raton Merges with German A D V E R T I S E M E N T
Linguistics Company
Boca Raton's VirtualWorks Group,
which developed tools to find and
manage corporate data, has an-
nounced a merger with Language
Tools of Munich, Germany. Lan-
guage Tools' language processing
technologies will be used to enhance
VirtualWorks' data search.
>> www.sun-sentinel.com
Wirecard CEO Eyes
Expansion into U.S. Market
in Next 12-16 Months
German payments processor Wire-
card AG is looking to expand into
the U.S. market over the next 12 to
16 months either through organic
business development or through
FROM BUFFALO
TO BERLIN
INVESTMENTS
_&_
EXPANSIONS ration was previously used by
Come and major in German at Canisius College Aldi, the German Chain Apple to facilitate interactions
ţ#FDPNFQBSUPG$BOJTJVTŜ(FSNBO)FSJUBHF
ţ'PMMPXBOJOOPWBUJWF WJTJPOBSZBOETUVEFOUřESJWFODVSSJDVMVN
that’s Beating Wal-Mart at between iPhones and desk
ţ-FBSOżSTUřIBOEBCPVUBMMNBUUFST(FSNBO its own Game phones in environments
In the Southern California town deploying Cisco conferencing
In 4 years PVS(FSNBONBKPSTIBWFXPOfive FulbrightsBOE
one DAADTDIPMBSTIJQ4UPQCZBOEEJTDPWFSBMMUIFQMBDFTPVS of Beaumont, Wal-Mart shop- hardware/software.
(FSNBONBKPSDBOUBLFZPV1MBOZPVSWJTJUXJUIPeter Böhm
BU(716) 888-2327PSboehmp@canisius.edu pers must first drive past the >> www.nasdaq.com
canisius.edu/german new Aldi, a recent addition to
the family-owned German German Auto Supplier
grocery-store chain that is Swoboda Invests $15M
beating the U.S. retail giant at in Expansion
its own game: selling food at A German auto supplier is
rock-bottom prices. Aldi is planning to expand a local
A D V E R T I S E M E N T
betting that many in Beaumont plant and create jobs in the
will never make it to the process. Swoboda, which makes
Wal-Mart. Like hundreds of oth- high-precision metal-plastic
ers Aldi has opened in recent components for automobile
years, the Beaumont store is electronics, plans to invest
strategically located to siphon nearly $15.1 million to expand
off the retail giant’s discount- its plant in Kentwood, at 4108
seeking shoppers with prices 52nd St. SE, and add about 37
that can average almost 20 high-tech jobs to the operation
percent less than those at within three years.
Wal-Mart Stores Inc. >> www.grbj.com
>> www.charlotteobserver.com
Achieve together Cisco Announces
German Vegan Supermar-
ket Veganz Eyeing Port-
Rödl & Partner USA has specifically tailored German Investment and land for First U.S. Store
our accounting, auditing, tax and business Synata Acquisition Veganz, a German vegan
consulting services to the unique needs of Cisco Systems CSCO announced grocery chain, has chosen
your foreign owned business in the United States
that it has acquired San Portland as the location for its
of America. For the past 40 years our core
practice has been serving the accounting and
Francisco based search technol- first U.S. store. The company
tax needs of primarily German speaking and ogy startup Synata Inc. The had originally planned to open
other foreign owned “Mittelstand” companies financial terms of the deal were the store this year, but the date
operating in the U.S. not disclosed. According to the has been pushed back. Accord-
vice president of Internet of ing to its website, Veganz was
Atlanta, GA Things and Collaboration Group founded in 2011 and bills itself
Birmingham, AL as the first vegan food chain
of Cisco, Rowan Trollope, Cisco
Charlotte, NC
Spark will benefit from Synata's store in Europe. It now operates
Chicago, IL
Greenville, SC ability to search highly encrypt- several stores in Germany, as
Houston, TX ed data in the cloud, a capabil- well as locations in Prague and
New York, NY ity beyond many conventional Vienna.
search engines. Spark collabo- >> www.oregonlive.com
www.roedl.com/us
20160205_USA_AHK_68x138.indd 1 05.02.2016 16:17:03
E C O N O M I S T ’ S C O R N E R
Networks Rule the World
E very year a few hundred of the
world’s most influential industry
leaders congregate at the World
Economic Forum (WEF) in the quaint
Swiss ski resort of Davos to exchange
German Green Utility their thoughts on the state of the
LichtBlick Eyes U.S. Expansion world. The purpose of this summit is
for DERMS Offering two-fold: to discuss solutions to the
LichtBlick, a German electric retailer world’s most pressing problems and
focused on providing sustainable to incidentally network.
energy, plans to expand its offerings
of Distributed Energy Resource On their yearly migration route to
Management System (DERMS) tools places like the World Economic
into the residential market, including Forum, the Aspen Institute, Allen and
in the United States. The company Company, Bilderberg, the Milken Sandra Navidi
Chief Excutive Officer
says its DERMS platform already Conference, and the IMF, they initiate
Author of the
integrates more than 1,000 DERs, new relationships and nurture
Bestselling Book
including photovoltaics, energy existing ones. Why do almost all of
$uper-hubs:
storage batteries, wind power and the most powerful and busiest people
Wie die Finanzelite
electric vehicles. on the planet make these cumbersome und ihre Netzwerke
>> www.utilitydive.com and time-consuming trips? Because die Welt regieren
they are keenly aware of the fact that >> sandra.navidi@beyond-global.com
Germany-Based Multivac networks equal power and profits. In >> www.beyond-global.com
Plans $6.9 Million Expansion a globalized world, the success of >> Twitter: @SandraNavidi
Of Its Kansas City, Missouri, executives and their companies is
Headquarters more than ever before defined by the
Multivac, a global leader in packag- depth and breadth of their relation-
ing solutions for food, medical, ships. In order to be internationally Personal relationships are crucial,
consumer and industrial products competitive, personal networks must because they provide access to people,
based in Germany, will undergo a mirror the increased interconnected- capital, information, and, thus,
$6.9 million expansion of its U.S. ness of our world. profitable opportunities. Many
headquarters in Kansas City, Mis- corporations hire “elder statesmen,”
souri. The company expects to create Relationships are valuable, because not only for their expertise but also to
up to 50 new jobs over the next few they are unique, highly personal, and act as door-openers in the private and
years. The additional 32,000 square cannot be duplicated. They must be public sectors.
feet of space is projected to come nurtured with an investment of time
online by April. It will bring total and effort, and the more time people Networks need platforms like confer-
space to approximately 120,000 spend on digital connections, the ences, industry events, and private
square feet, and will allow the more valuable true interpersonal gatherings, and the most exclusive
company to better leverage technol- connections will become. Even in the ones have high barriers to entry and
ogy and other innovations to further machine age, people in possession of provide a sense of community and
modernize its manufacturing highly developed interpersonal skills profound content. The most successful
processes. and multidimensional networks will executives build goodwill throughout
>> www.areadevelopment.com remain indispensable, because their lives and have access to support
emotional intelligence and personal and resources whenever needed. They
Visit us on the web at rapport cannot be robotized. Compa- create win-win situations for all,
>> www.transatlantic-news.com nies value “network capital” as an because they realize that only
Follow the Ticker on Twitter integral part of a person’s human balanced relationships with real give
>> www.twitter.com/ta_news capital, because a person’s network and take are sustainable and with-
automatically expands the company’s. stand the test of time..
German American Trade Q2 2016 7
C O V E R S T O R Y
New Television Station for a German Audience
RTL International
Launches in the US
Live news,
series, films,
G erman-language TV program-
ming is truly in short supply in
the US. That's about to change.
6:44 p.m. in the RTL studio in
Cologne: News anchor Peter Kloeppel
is standing in what is known as the
docutainment Germany's largest media conglomer- ‘green box’ and waiting for his cue.
ate, Mediengruppe RTL Deutschland, Some 20 spotlights and 2 cameras
for German plans to launch an international are aiming at him. Technicians in the
expatriates version of the country's favorite
station, RTL, in the US.
background and numerous editors in
the control room are transfixed on
their monitors, ensuring that clips,
sound and copy are displayed in the
right sequence and at the right time.
Then it begins: The countdown
superimposed for viewers changes,
and at 6:44:58 p.m., the anchor
Kloeppel takes a deep breath: ‘It's
6:45 p.m., this is RTL News, and here
are our stories...’ With these words,
Kloeppel welcomes millions of
Germans to the main news show on
RTL every day.
‘RTL News’ [RTL Aktuell] is one of
the most successful, most popular
news programs on German television
and has long since become a fixed
part of daily TV for many viewers.
Peter Kloeppel is the face of the
show, making him a regular guest in
German living rooms – via the
television screen – for the past 24
years. And from now on, Peter
Kloeppel is quite literally also ‘at
home across the pond,’ because ‘RTL
Aktuell’ will be available for live
RTL Aktuell with Peter Kloeppel and Ulrike van der Groeben
viewing on RTL International.
8 German American Trade Q2 2016
C O V E R S T O R Y
Now it's ‘Welcome home’ for keep them just as informed as their
German viewers worldwide friends and relatives in Germany are
RTL International, the new television about current issues in Germany, or
station of Mediengruppe RTL they can chat about the latest trials
Deutschland, is geared towards and tribulations in one of the daily
German expatriates, German soaps (‘Gute Zeiten, Schlechte
speakers and students of the German Zeiten’, ‘Unter Uns’ and ‘Alles, was
language all over the world, and zählt’). This provides explosive and
particularly in North America. ‘With up-to-the-minute topics of conversa- Doctor’s Diary: All too human
the slogan “Welcome home,” we tion for the next phone call/Skype catastrophies with Diana Amft
want to make it clear that with RTL
International, people in the USA can
finally get the best German television
from home – informative, entertain-
ing and up-to-date,’ says Stefan
Sporn, General Manager Interna-
tional Distribution and head of the
channel. ‘With RTL International,
you can finally join in on the
discussion again, because our
program is largely identical to the
one friends and relatives are watch-
ing back in Germany.’
Finally being able to join in
on the fun: Germans’ favorite
daily soaps are a source of
strong emotions
For this to succeed, many programs
will be available live when they air
in Germany at the same time, or
shortly thereafter. This not only
keeps all the ‘RTL International’
viewers directly informed about
Alarm für Cobra 11: Erdogan Atalay in action
current world events; it also helps
German American Trade Q2 2016 9
C O V E R S T O R Y
How do I receive
RTL International?
RTL International can be viewed in
the USA beginning in March, initially
through Charter Communications.
Additional platforms and an app
(via Google Play and the Apple date with loved ones back home in no one has to miss his or her favorite
Store) will soon be added. Germany/Austria/Switzerland. show, the current episodes will
You cannot receive RTL typically air again a few hours later.
International? Please be sure to In addition to other news broadcasts, The makers of RTL International
write or call your network provider such as ‘RTL Nachtjournal’ and always keep the many different time
and let them know you’d like to be ‘Punkt 12’ with presenter Katja zones all over the world (e.g. Pacific
able to receive RTL International. Burkard, the mainstays of program- Standard Time or Eastern Standard
We’ll be publishing every expansion ming also include the lifestyle Time) in mind and schedule enter-
of our reach on our website formats ‘EXCLUSIV – Das Starmaga- taining and informative TV to air at
>> www.rtl-international.de zin’ with Frauke Ludowig and all times of the day and night.
‘Explosiv – Das Magazin’, hosted by
You’ll find additional information
Nazan Eckes. RTL NORD, RTL WEST ‘We are delighted to be a new
about programming there, too.
and RTL HESSEN have an even member of the AHK, making us part
You're welcome to visit us on stronger regional footing. Viewers of the German-American commu-
Facebook, too.
can tune in for extensive information nity,’ the station's Product Manager
>> www.facebook.com/rtl-international about the important events of the Carolin Lefting explains.
Any other questions? day from their home region.
Drop us a line: With an overseas studio in New York
Best entertainment with and correspondents in Washington,
>> info@rtl-international.de
series and soaps DC, Los Angeles and San Francisco,
Good entertainment is also a very RTL is already present in the US. All
important part of the programming: reports can also be watched on RTL
RTL International broadcasts the International. ‘We hope that soon
most popular German action and we’ll be able to enter into a market-
drama series: ‘Alarm für Cobra 11 ing and advertising cooperation
– Die Autobahnpolizei’! Joining it arrangement with other German
are other award-winning series, such companies,’ adds Lefting.
as ‘Der Lehrer’ and ‘Doctor‘s Diary’.
The reality formats ‘Christopher In the USA, RTL International will be
Posch – Ich kämpfe für ihr Recht!’ available first through Charter
and ‘Goodbye Deutschland’ also offer Communications, beginning in
fascinating insights into the desires, March. This will soon be followed by
longings, everyday problems and an app and distribution through
worries of Germans. additional platforms.
But how can the new television
channel grapple with a time differ-
ence of up to 9 hours between the US
GZSZ: The love lives of people in the big city and Germany? To ensure that really
10 German American Trade Q2 2016C O V E R S T O R Y
Some of the most popular RTL International formats
Alarm für Cobra 11
‘Alarm für Cobra 11 - Die Autobahnpolizei’ is Germany's
most successful action format. Inspector Semir Gerkhan and his
partner solve a new case every week. Breath-taking stunt scenes,
action-packed chases and spectacular explosions provide
spine-tingling excitement in every episode.
Every Thursday at 4:45 p.m. (PST) and 7:45 p.m. (EST)
Der Lehrer
Stefan Vollmer, played by Hendrik Duryn, is the most popular teacher
on German television. Not just because the series ‘Der Lehrer’ won the
‘German Comedy Award 2014’ [Deutscher Comedypreis 2014]. Vollmer is a
teacher with a passion for his profession. Though he could do without the
occasional nasty surprise in his school day, he loves his job. And if someone
runs into trouble, ‘The Teacher’ [‘Der Lehrer’] is unstoppable: Stefan Vollmer
gives his all for his students, disregarding diplomacy if need be.
Beginning in May, Fridays at 4:45 p.m. (PST) and 7:45 p.m. (EST)
Goodbye Deutschland – Die Auswanderer They’re caught up in wanderlust and big dreams: expats.
Some long for sun and sea and want to make a lifelong dream
come true. Others see no career prospects in Germany and hope
for a fresh start, somewhere far away. ‘Goodbye Deutschland!
Die Auswanderer’ accompanies couples and families on their
journey to a foreign country, a place many know only from
carefree vacation days. Euphoria is always at an all-time high.
Sometimes, the plans are best-laid; sometimes, not so much.
Every Tuesday at 4:45 p.m. (PST) and 7:45 p.m. (EST)
Gute Zeiten, Schlechte Zeiten
GZSZ is the most successful daily soap on German
television – since 1992, tales of love and hate, friendship
and enmity, intrigue and reconciliation no longer go
unnoticed. There's always something going on in the
neighborhood in Berlin.
Daily (Mon-Fri) at 4:20 p.m. (PST) and 7:20 p.m. (EST)
Guten Morgen Deutschland All the information you need is already served for breakfast – that's
the motto of ‘Guten Morgen Deutschland’, the early-morning news
magazine on RTL. In addition to a total of five segments of program-
ming with the latest news, there's also lots of VIP news, detailed
weather forecasts and service topics with consumer tips and advice
for viewers. The main presenter is Wolfram Kons who hosts the show
together with Angela Finger-Erben. The host team of ‘Guten Morgen
Deutschland’ also features Jennifer Knäble and Bernd Fuchs. Eva
Imhof, Maxi Biewer and Saskia Naumann form the weather team.
Daily (Mon-Fri) at 6:30 a.m. (PST) and 9:35 a.m. (EST)
German American Trade Q2 2016 11C O V E R S T O R Y
Interview with
‘RTL Aktuell’ anchor Peter Kloeppel
German American Trade pondent in the U.S. When reasons. You understand the cultural
(GAT): How does it feel for you started out, what were the differences between that country and
you, as an RTL presenter, to be biggest hurdles for you, or what Germany. Are these differences
on air not just in the German- struck you as particularly foreign, reflected in television programming,
speaking countries but now in as a German? too?
the U.S. as well?
PK: The Americans were very PK: North American television has
Peter Kloeppel (PK): Great! I’m hospitable in welcoming me, and always been slightly ahead of us in
always happy about every viewer, that made the adjustment easy. Of terms of variety and innovation, so we
and when we know that we can course, I had the great advantage can always learn something from it.
now be seen in faraway countries, that I already knew how to speak What I think is exhausting about some
too, that also makes me proud. English quite well – that makes life news channels is the almost messianic
a lot easier. I hardly encountered sense of mission when it comes to
GAT: Are there separate pro- any hurdles at all. Instead, I political directions – it's not fair and
grams for North America? actually did experience the U.S. as objective.
the proverbial land of opportunity.
PK: No. We’ll be showing the same At most, what struck me as new, Who we are
content we show in Germany. Of yet not unpleasant, was the
RTL International is part of Mediengruppe
course this also includes in-depth ‘can-do’ attitude of the people
RTL Deutschland in Cologne.
coverage of the American prima- there. Here in Germany, we often
ries, for instance. But this is from a tend to see the problems before we Mediengruppe RTL Deutschland is the
home of many free TV stations, among
German point of view, focussed on think of solutions.
them the German market leader RTL Tele-
our German audience.
vision. There are also several pay TV sta-
GAT: You have a very strong tions, including RTL International. With
GAT: You spent several years connection to North America for more than 30 million viewers every day,
working as a foreign corres- both personal and professional Media Group RTL Germany represents the
strongest and most popular TV brands in
Germany and Europe.
Mediengruppe RTL Deutschland belongs
to the Bertelsmann subsidiary RTL Group
with headquarters in Luxembourg,
Europe’s largest broadcaster. With
interests in 57 television channels and 30
radio stations, RTL Group is the leading
European entertainment network. Every
day, millions of viewers all over Europe
watch RTL Group’s television channels.
RTL Group’s content production arm,
FremantleMedia, is one of the largest
creators, producers and distributors of
television brands in the world.
Majority shareholder of RTL Group is
Bertelsmann SE & Co. KGaA.
12 German American Trade Q2 2016Globe
Inventor: Martin Behaim
Germany, 1492
Overview. Made in Germany.
Beyond all borders.
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111772_AZ_GLO_178x256 1 24.03.10 11:12S P O T L I G H T S
German Companies Profit
from Strong Dollar and Report
Record Earnings in Euros
By Jan Vater, GACC
“What remains for
companies at the end of 2 015 proved to be another
successful year for German
businesses in the U.S. The Top50
2015 results were not available
at the time, the company expects
similar results compared to last
the day in their country’s Ranking of German Firms, year, despite the emissions
conducted by the German scandal that emerged in Septem-
currency, that’s what’s
American Chambers of Com- ber 2015. Global Volkswagen
important. That is what merce, shows that German CEO Matthias Mueller reported
investors and company companies in the U.S. continue in an official statement: “The
to profit from strong domestic company also recorded growth in
owners are interested in. demand and the equally strong North America in 2015, handing
Surely, it has to be taken currency. Revenue generated in over 931,800 vehicles there. At
U.S. dollars, once converted into 607,100 units – an increase of
into account that the euros, resulted in record earnings 1.2 percent – the United States
weaker euro has driven for German companies in the accounted for the lion’s share of
U.S. In total, the Top50 German these deliveries”.
up prices for raw materials companies generated over $400
or the costs for possible billion in revenue and employed T-Mobile USA was able to
almost 750,000 people in 2015. continue last year’s success and
foreign currency credits. climbed to a strong third position
But in the end, this The Daimler Group was able to in the ranking. The Deutsche Tele-
repeat last year’s success and kom subsidiary, managed by CEO
development was clearly a
came out on top of the ranking, John Legere, grew its net revenue
positive one for the with a whopping $46,531 million by a substantial 10.5 percent in
in revenue. In euros this converts 2015. Legere expects this trend to
companies and their profits.”
to 41,920 million, compared to continue: “We set out to change
33,310 million in the previous this industry, we’re well on our
year. Daimler owes some of that way and we won’t stop.” This
success to the strong perfor- entire company’s growth is and
mance of its truck unit in the continues to be driven by the U.S.
North American market. The business: In addition to continu-
company continues to invest ing strong customer additions,
heavily in new technologies in T-Mobile also profited from the
this segment. A technological development of the U.S. dollar.
milestone was achieved last year
by receiving the very first road In regards to acquisitions, 2015
approval for a truck driving proved to be a more reserved year
autonomously. for German companies in the U.S,
compared to 2014. Despite the
Dr. Harm Bandholz, Right behind the Daimler Group fact that German investments in
ranks another German car the U.S. are highly profitable, as
Chief U.S. Economist manufacturer: Volkswagen Group the ZF Group demonstrates. On
UniCredit Research of America. Even though the May 15, 2015 the company
14 German American Trade Q2 2016S P O T L I G H T S
acquired TRW Automotive Holdings total of gross premiums written in of its U.S. business. It comprised
Corp and saw sales in the U.S. the Americas dropped from $15,747 the integration of Fireman’s Fund
nearly doubled in the following million in 2014 down to $11,627 Insurance Company’s commercial
months. ZF Group was able to million in 2015. The company faced business into Allianz Global
generate $9,008 million in contrast an array of challenges which had Corporate & Specialty North
to $4,981 million the year prior. an impact on their performance in America (AGCS NA), the sale of the
the U.S. Despite the modest interest personal insurance business to the
Not all companies, however, were rate increase in December 2015 by global insurance company ACE, as
able to repeat last year’s sales the Federal Reserve, the low rate well as the internal transfer of the
volumes. German Insurer Allianz environment remains challenging discontinued run-off business
saw a decrease in revenue com- for the German insurer. In addition, through a reinsurance agreement
pared to the previous year. The Allianz faced a deep reorganization within the Allianz Group.
Daimler continues to profit from its strong truck unit in the U.S.
German American Trade Q2 2016 15S P O T L I G H T S
Rank Company Location Website German Parent Company
1 Daimler Group Atlanta, GA MBUSA www.daimler.com Daimler AG, Stuttgart
2 Volkswagen Group of America Herndon, VA www.vw.com Volkswagen AG, Wolfsburg
3 T-Mobile USA Bellevue, WA www.t-mobile.com Deutsche Telekom AG, Bonn
4 BMW Group Woodcliff Lake, NJ www.bmwusa.com BMW AG, Munich
5 BASF Corp. Florham Park, New Jersey www.basf.us BASF SE, Ludwigshafen
6 Siemens USA Holdings New York, NY www.usa.siemens.com Siemens AG, Munich
7 Bayer Corporation Pittsburgh, PA www.bayerus.com Bayer AG, Leverkusen
8 Fresenius Medical Care Holdings, Inc. Waltham, MA www.fmcna.com Fresenius Medical Care AG +KGaA, Hof a.d. Saale
9 Robert Bosch, LLC Farmington Hills, MI www.boschusa.com Robert Bosch GmbH, Stuttgart
10 Trader Joe’s Co. Monrovia, CA www.traderjoes.com Aldi Einkauf GmbH & Co.oHG, Essen
11 Aldi, Inc. Batavia, IL www.aldi.us Aldi Einkauf GmbH & Co.oHG, Essen
12 Allianz Life Insurance NA/ Allianz of America, Inc. New York, NY www.allianzusa.com Allianz SE, Munich
13 Hochtief Americas (Turner) New York, NY www.hochtief.com Hochtief AG, Essen
14 DHL Holdings (USA), Inc. Plantation, FL www.dhl.com Deutsche Post AG, Bonn
15 Continental Automotive Systems Auburn Hills, MI www.conti-online.com Continental AG, Hannover
16 Munich Reinsurance America, Inc. Princeton, NJ www.munichreamerica.com Münchner Rückversicherungsgesellschaft, Munich
17 ThyssenKrupp USA, Inc. Chicago, IL www.thyssenkrupp.com ThyssenKrupp AG, Düsseldorf
18 SAP Americas Newtown Square, PA www.sap.com SAP AG, Walldorf
19 ZF Group North American Operations Inc. Northville, MI www.zf.com/na ZF Friedrichshafen AG, Friedrichshafen
20 Boehringer Ingelheim Corp. Ridgefield, CT us.boehringer-ingelheim.com Boehringer Ingelheim GmbH, Ingelheim am Rhein
21 Lufthansa Group East Meadow, NY www.lufthansa.com Deutsche Lufthansa AG, Köln
22 Linde North America Murray Hill, NJ www.lindeus.com Linde Group, Munich
23 Hannover Life Re America Orlando, FL www.hlramerica.com Hannover Rückversicherungs AG, Hannover
24 Heraeus Incorporated New York, NY www.heraeus.com Heraeus Holding GmbH, Hanau
25 LEHIGH Hanson Inc. Irving, TX www.lehighhanson.com HeidelbergCement AG, Heidelberg
26 Random House (Bertelsmann Group) New York, NY www.bertelsmann.com Bertelsmann AG, Gütersloh
27 Henkel of America, Inc. Rocky Hill, CT www.henkel.us Henkel KGaA, Düsseldorf
28 adidas America, Inc. Portland, OR www.adidas.com adidas AG, Herzogenaurach
29 MAHLE Industries, Inc. Farmington Hills, MI www.us.mahle.com Behr GmbH & Co. KG, Stuttgart
30 EMD Group (Merck) Rockland, MA www.emdgroup.com Merck KGaA, Darmstadt
31 Evonik Corporation Parsippany, NJ www.north-america.evonik.com Evonik Industries AG, Essen
32 Freudenberg-NOK General Partnership Plymouth, MI www.freudenberg.us Freudenberg Dichtungs-und Schwingungstechnik, Weinheim
33 Schenker Inc (DB US Holding Corp.) Tarrytown, NY www.dbschenkerusa.com Deutsche Bahn AG, Berlin
34 Knorr Brake Holding Corp. Westminster, MD www.knorrbrakecorp.com Knorr Bremse AG, Munich
35 Brose North America, Inc. Auburn Hills, MI www.brose.com Brose Gruppe, Coburg
36 B. Braun Medical, Inc. Bethlehem, PA www.bbraunusa.com B.Braun, Melsungen AG
37 Wurth Group of North America Inc. Ramsey, NJ www.wuerth.com Adolf Würth GmbH & Co. KG, Künzelsau-Gaisbach
38 Lanxess Pittsburgh, PA www.lanxess.us Lanxess AG, Colon
39 Otto Group/Crate & Barrel Northbrook, IL www.crateandbarrel.com Otto GmbH & Co KG, Hamburg
40 K+S North America Chicago, IL www.k-plus-s.com K+S AG, Kassel
41 Beiersdorf, Inc . Wilton, CT www.beiersdorfusa.com Beiersdorf AG, Hamburg
42 Puma North America, Inc. Westford, MA www.puma.com Puma SE, Herzogenaurach
43 STIHL Incorporated Virginia Beach, VA www.stihlusa.com STIHL International GmbH
44 Wacker Chemical Corporation Adrian, MI www.wacker.com Wacker Chemie AG, Munich
45 GEA York, PA www.gea.com GEA Group AG, Düsseldorf
46 LEONI WIRING SYSTEMS, INC. Tucson, AZ www.leoni.com Leoni AG
47 Infineon Technologies North America Corp. Milpitas, CA www.infineon.com Infineon Technologies AG, Neubiberg
48 American Rheinmetall Munitions, Inc East Camden, AR www.rheinmetall-defence.com Rheinmetall AG
49 Schott North America, Inc. Elmsford, NY www.us.schott.com Schott AG, Mainz
50 BYK USA Inc. Wallingford, CT www.byk.com Altana AG
(1) North America (exclusive U.S. figures not available) (6) Employee figues GACC Estimate
(2) Gross Written Premium (7) Consolidated revenues Audi, Porsche & VW
(3) Americas (8) T-Mobile and MetroPCS Combined Pro Forma 2013 figures
(4) Est. supermarketnews.com (9) Consolidated revenues Flatiron and Turner Construction Co, E.E.
16 German American Trade Q2 2016 (5) Results 2014 Cruz, and Clark BuildersS P O T L I G H T S
Sales ($M) Employees
U.S. Top Executive 2015 2014 2015 2014 Business activity Note
Stephen Cannon, MBUSA / Martin Daum, DTNA 46,531 # 44,302 24,607 # 22,833 Automotive
Scott Keogh (Audi), Detlev von Platen (Porsche), 36,733 – 36,733 59,790 – 59,790 Automotive (3,5,7)
Hinrich J. Woebcken (VW)
John J. Legere 32,106 # 29,799 41 669 # 37,858 Communications (8)
Ludwig Willisch 20,152 # 18,176 10,000 – 10,000 Automotive (6)
Wayne Smith 17,388 $ 20,571 17,471 $ 17,120 Chemicals (1)
Eric Spiegel 16,942 # 16,821 70,000 – 70,000 IT/Communications, Transportation (6)
Philip Blake 14,141 # 13,237 16,000 # 15,800 Pharmaceutical/Medical Products (1)
Rice Powell 13,112 $ 13,965 54,103 # 51,329 Medical Products & Services (1)
Mike Mansuetti 13,034 – 13,034 33,879 – 33,879 Automotive, Consumer Goods, Industrial Technology (3,5)
Dan Bane 13,000 – 13,000 9,000 – 9,000 Grocery Stores (4,6)
Charles E. Youngstrom / David Behm 13,000 # 10,100 12,000 – 12,000 Grocery Stores (12,6)
Walter White 11,627 $ 15,747 14,355 $ 15,021 Insurance / Asset Management (2)
Marcelino Fernández Verdes 11,493 # 11,458 9,739 # 9,503 Construction (1,9)
Stephen Fenwick 11,426 $ 12,469 76,666 # 74,573 Courier Services (3)
Samir Salman 11,363 # 10,156 38,493 # 31,414 Automotive components, Tires (1)
Anthony J. Kuczinski 11,052 $ 11,348 5,444 # 5,371 Insurance (2)
Patrick Bass 11,032 $ 12,025 21,422 # 20,555 Steel, Stainless Steel, Capital Goods, Services (3)
Jennifer Morgan 9,331 # 8,630 22,166 # 22,071 Software (3)
Julio Caspari 9,008 # 4,981 62,148 # 4,224 Automotive (1,6)
Paul R. Fonteyne 7,793 – 7,793 14,033 – 14,033 Pharma (3,5)
Jürgen Siebenrock 5,828 # 5,797 16,619 # 14,848 Air Transportation/Logistic/Catering
Patrick Murphy 5,207 # 4,966 19,683 # 18,487 Industrial Gases (1)
Peter R. Schaefer 4,793 # 4,312 283 $ 285 Reinsurance (2)
Uve Kupka 4,463 – 4,463 2,266 – 2,266 Non-Ferrous Metals (3,5)
Jon Morrish 4,158 # 4,055 7,644 – 7,644 Cement (1,6)
Markus Dohle 4,107 $ 4,126 8,795 – 8,795 Media, Publishing (6)
Jerry Perkins 4,049 # 3,836 6,429 # 6,214 Industrial Organic Chemicals (1)
Mark King 4,018 $ 4,155 10,555 $ 12,895 Sports Wear (1)
Roland Zitt 3,219 – 3,219 10,357 – 10,357 Automotive (1,5)
Kenneth C. Frazier 3,022 # 2,862 9,794 # 5,153 Chemicals
John Rolando 2,938 $ 3,072 3,693 # 3,675 Specialty Chemicals (1)
Claus Möhlenkamp 2,153 _ 2,153 7,484 _ 7,484 Automotive (1,5)
Dr. Josef Blank 1,896 $ 1,967 8,515 # 7,585 Freight Transportation (1)
Rich Bowie 1,715 # 1,677 4,782 $ 5,058 Railroad Equipment (3)
Jan Kowal 1,640 – 1,640 5,100 – 5,100 Automotive Supplier (3,5)
Caroll H. Neubauer 1,612 # 1,450 6,053 # 5,850 Medical / Surgical Devices (1)
Robert Stolz 1,585 – 1,585 7,369 – 7,369 Maintenance Supplies (1,5)
Flemming Bjornslev 1,518 $ 1,780 1,312 $ 1,371 Specialty Chemicals (1)
Douglas Diemoz 1,516 $ 1,666 7,000 – 7,000 Retail (10)
Christian Herrmann 1,373 $ 1,425 3,164 # 3,002 Chemicals
Stefan F. Heidenreich 1,336 $ 1,484 2,758 # 2,610 Branded Consumer Goods (3)
Jay Piccola 1,322 # 1,287 2,847 – 2,847 Sports Wear (3)
Fred J. Whyte 1,060 – 1,060 4,262 – 4,262 Handheld outdoor power equipment (5)
Ingomar Kovar 1,049 $ 1,078 1,830 # 1,530 Chemicals (3)
Gary Schrift 929 $ 1,017 1,829 $ 2,090 Engineering Services (1)
Martin Gloesslein 820 $ 826 8,142 $ 8,430 Cable Harnesses for the Automotive Industry (3)
Jean-Baptiste Loire 788 # 644 3,682 # 556 Semiconductors (3)
Armin Papperger 775 $ 815 1,321 # 1,299 Defence and Automotive (3)
Greg Wolters 495 $ 499 2,100 $ 2,200 Glass & glass-ceramic products (1)
Dr. Stephan Glander 462 $ 485 1,067 # 1,066 Chemicals
400,110 393,746 748,051 703,702
(10) North and South America (exclusive U.S. figures
not available)
(11) Employee figures hoover.com Conversion rate of 1.11
(12) Est. Kantar data (2015 annual average applied when sales given in EUR)
German American Trade Q2 2016 17S P O T L I G H T S
Quotes from Annual Reports 2015
Daimler Group T-Mobile USA ZF Group:
Daimler Trucks reached a For the full year 2015, The year was marked by the
major milestone in 2015 with T-Mobile added 8.3 million largest acquisition in the
sales of more than 500,000 total net customers and company’s 100-year history,
vehicles. In regional terms, the outperformed the industry once the purchase of U.S.
development of the truck again by delivering 11% automotive supplier TRW
business was very varied. The growth in service revenue and Automotive Holdings Corp.
decrease in unit sales in the 31% growth in Adjusted With ZF TRW now included in
weak Latin American market EBITDA. T-Mobile’s growth has the calculation for the first time
was offset by an exceptionally been fueled by the – for a period of just
strong performance in North performance of its nationwide seven-and-a-half months since
America. 4G LTE network, which now the acquisition on May 15,
covers 305 million Americans 2015 – we have achieved
and continues to be the fastest new dimensions in sales and
in the nation. results.
– John Legere,
CEO T-Mobile USA
Top 10 Employers
2015 2014
Rank Company Employees Employees
1 DHL Holdings (USA), Inc. 76,666 # 74,573
2 Siemens USA Holdings 70,000 – 70,000
3 ZF Group North American Operations Inc. 62,148 # 4,224
4 Volkswagen Group of America 59,790 – 59,790
5 Fresenius Medical Care Holdings, Inc. 54,103 # 51,329
6 T-Mobile USA 41,669 # 37,858
7 Continental Automotive Systems 38,493 # 31,414
8 Robert Bosch, LLC 33,879 – 33,879
9 Daimler Group 24,607 # 22,833
10 SAP Americas 22,166 # 22,071
T-Mobile US CEO John Legere
celebrating the company’s success
18 German American Trade Q2 2016Some banks
take their time.
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A D V E R T I S E M E N T
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US photovoltaics market
remains on whopping growth curve
By Martin Wiekert, Germany Trade and Invest · Translation from German by Sandy Jones, GACC
W ith the new record installa-
tions of 7,286 MW (+17%
compared to 2014), the U.S. market
of approx. 1 GW were added, while
in the area of solar thermal power
generation 110 MW were added to
by 2022, originally already planned
for 2017. For private solar invest-
ments in the residential sector,
for photovoltaics (PV) has increased the grid. analog income tax credits are
twelve-fold since 2010. By now, PV available until 2021. However, here,
capacities exceed the 25-GW Congress creates long-term the start of operation of the plants is
threshold. Together with the 1.8 GW stable funding framework relevant, and the funding regulation
from solar thermal power plants The outlook for the further develop- will expire in 2022.
(concentrated solar power - CSP), the ment of the U.S. solar energy market
U.S. has currently more than 27 GW is currently very optimistic. Largely The new Clean Power Plan of the
in operational solar power capacities. responsible for this are recent U.S. Environmental Protection
political decisions. Shortly before Agency (EPA) could create an
For the first time, additionally the turn of the year, U.S. Congress additional impetus for the expansion
installed capacities are higher extended some important funding of solar energy. However, it is still
than in the natural gas sector instruments for the sector for the uncertain whether the regulatory
In 2015, when it came to additionally long term. The increased Investment measure passed in August 2015 can
installed plants, solar energy was Tax Credit (ITC) of 30% of the be implemented as intended by the
able to pass natural gas for the first investment costs is now granted for Obama Administration.The require-
time. According to the SEIA, last commercial solar energy projects ments contained in the plan regard-
year, it represented almost 30% of whose start of construction is ing the reduction of CO2 emissions
the new generating capacity. scheduled until the end of 2019. in the electricity sector would signifi-
However, its share in the U.S. power This is followed by a gradual cantly stimulate the investments in
supply is still relatively low. Despite decrease to the funding rate of 10% climate-friendly energy technologies.
the rapid expansion, it currently is
Development of the U.S. market for photovoltaic systems
less than 1%.
Change Overall U.S.
The bulk of installations carried out New compared capacity at
in 2015 is provided by larger PV installations to previous the end of
solar power plants (“utility PV”). Years (MW) year (%) the year (GW)
According to the SEIA, here, a record 2009 385 29 1.2
plant capacity of 4 GW was brought
into service (+6% compared to 2014). 2010 852 121 2.0
Meanwhile, additionally built 2011 1,926 126 4.0
installations in the residential sector
increased at a much higher speed. 2012 3,373 75 7.3
With more than 2 GW, a market
2013 4,782 42 12.1
growth of 66% was registered.
However, installation data in other 2014 6,247 31 18.3
sectors was slightly less impressive.
2015 7,286 17 25.6
In the commercial sector, as it was
the case in the previous year, plants Sources: Solar Energy Industries Association, National Renewable Energy Laboratory
20 German American Trade Q2 2016G T A I I N D U S T R Y T A L K
New installations increase by 17% in 2015
Optimistic market outlook opportunities will open up in the
The sector association SEIA already next couple of years in the U.S.
expects new PV installations of approx. However, market conditions vary on
72 GW between 2016 and 2020 based regional levels. Besides the federal
on the ITC extension. Together with the tax credits and the local degree of
CSP power plants, U.S. solar power insolation, the specific local funding
capacities would then reach some 100 environment is also relevant for the
GW. The annual additionally installed development in the sector. In 2015,
capacity volume is to increase to almost four-fifths of the total
approx. 20 GW, says the SEIA. installed capacity were contributed About the Author
by the top ten of U.S. solar states. Martin Wiekert
Director of Germany Trade and Invest
For 2016, the SEIA predicts a strong
GmbH (GTAI)
expansion of the U.S. PV market. Since According to a market outlook of Washington D.C. Office
there are many project developments the U.S. Energy Information >> martin.wiekert@gtai.de
due to the initially planned ITC down- Administration (EIA), a continued >> www.gtai.de
sizing, the installation volume is said to strong regional concentration of
increase to approx. 13 GW. The special plant installations is likely. Accord-
service IHS even thinks that market
volumes of some 15 GW could be
ing to the EIA, approx. 80% of the
solar power plants to be constructed
Solar capacity to
possible. For 2017, both organizations until 2017 alone could be built in reach some 100 GW
assume a temporary slowing in addi- California, Nevada, North Califor-
tionally built installations, afterwards nia, Texas and Georgia. by 2020
installations are said to increase again
until 2020.
If the predicted development does in
fact take place, the U.S. could count on
additional solar investments worth an
amount in the three-digit billion dollar
range until the end of the decade. Many
foreign sector companies are also likely
to benefit from the expected wave of
investments. Chinese PV technology
providers, however, still have to operate
under difficult conditions due to the
anti-dumping rules imposed on them.
A wealth of opportunities for
suppliers from Germany
For German solar companies and
supplier companies, additional business
German American Trade Q2 2016 21» IT’S THE
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W A S H I N G T O N U P D A T E
Interview with
Congressman Ted Deutch
conducted by Thomas Zielke
Dr. Thomas Zielke (TZ): the Bundestag to the unique beauty
Congressman Ted Deutch
Congressman Deutch, what is your of South Florida during a delegation
connection to Germany? trip earlier this month.
Ted Deutch (TD): Despite what TZ: How do you see the current
some might presume from my last German-American relationship in
name, I am not of immediate German light of global events?
descent. However, since coming to
Congress, I have built strong TD: With shared values and inter-
relationships with individuals, ests, Germany is a natural ally for
companies, and institutions in the United States. Germany has been
Germany through numerous trips an important partner in addressing a
and meetings. number of world crises, such as
Russia’s incursion into Ukraine and
TZ: Can you share a favorite the large refugee influx into Europe.
memory from your personal experi- These are global issues, and the
ence with Germany? United States is not exempt from
feeling the effects and facing the Congressman Ted Deutch, 49, repre-
TD: I sincerely appreciated the ramifications. The Transatlantic sents Florida’s 21st district, home to
chance to discuss Germany’s role in relationship becomes even more communities throughout western Palm
Beach County and Broward County in
the world with Chancellor Angela important as we work together to
sunny South Florida.
Merkel. Another memorable moment devise solutions that address our
was when I introduced members of shared security concerns. As more Now serving his fourth term in the
114th Congress, he has been de-
scribed as a rising voice in the House
Democratic Caucus by the Wash-
ington newspaper Roll Call and was
previously named one of the Forward
newspaper’s top Jewish politicians to
watch.
He is a member of the House Judiciary
Committee, the House Ethics Com-
mittee, and the House Foreign Affairs
Committee, on which he serves as
Ranking Democrat on the Middle East
and North Africa Subcommittee.
Congressman Deutch also serves as
the Co-Chair of the Congressional
Study Group on Germany, an indepen-
dent, non-partisan and non-advocacy
organization that promotes legislative
exchanges between the U.S. Congress
The Hon. Peer Steinbrück Member of the German Bundestag, former Minister of Finance and and German Bundestag.
Chairman of the German-U.S. Parliamentary Friendship Group with Congressman Ted Deutch
24 German American Trade Q2 2016W A S H I N G T O N U P D A T E
Dr. Thomas Zielke
regional issues become global issues, is shaping out to be, there will be a
this partnership will be even more plethora of considerations for
important to maintain stability and Congress, including potential impacts
confront threats around the world. on American jobs and changes to
existing regulations and standards.
TZ: Trade between Germany and Domestically, I believe it is important
the U.S. has a long history. What is for the Administration to engage
needed to strengthen the economic with Congress to discuss the direc-
ties between both countries? tion of negotiations and ensure that
the American people’s voices are
TD: Despite the strong partnership heard and considered. President and CEO of German Industry
we share, there remain some cultural and Trade (RGIT)
differences between our countries. TZ: President Obama has dramati- >> thzielke@rgit-usa.com
For example, the German apprentice- cally changed the US – Cuba >> www.rgit-usa.com
ship model has been very successful policy. Do you foresee any positive
in Germany in giving students the impact for Florida resulting that the fundamental principles that
specific vocational training they will change? Americans value. Certainly, there
need to work in certain fields. In my will be many opportunities for
home state of Florida, a program was TD: The Obama Administration Floridians and Florida companies
developed, in partnership with the should press the Castro Regime to to engage with Cuba, and I would
German Embassy in the United States reform their political system, open support Florida-based companies
and the German American Chambers up the country’s laws to improve the in seizing opportunities in ways
of Commerce, in which high school economic, political, and legal that lead to commercial growth
students can enter into an appren- environments, and recognize for American businesses.
ticeship program designed for
advanced manufacturing careers.
This type of program can encourage
more German companies to consider
expanding further into the U.S. and
hiring American workers.
TZ: The Transatlantic Trade and
Investment Partnership (TTIP) will
foster trade between U.S. and
Germany. How do you see the
chances of Congress passing a
comprehensive TTIP?
TD: There are many benefits that can
come from a trade agreement with a
major trading partner like the Ted Deutch with the Congressional Study Group and the German Bundestag Group at the
European Union. As complex as TTIP 33rd Annual Congress-Bundestag Seminar in Boca Raton, Fl
German American Trade Q2 2016 25You can also read
