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A delegation of Austrian suppliers wrapped up a mid-April visit to the Southeast U.S. with a panoramic look at opportunities in Georgia’s burgeoning automotive sector.
Hosted by the local office of Advantage Austria, represented by Angelika Heitzmann, the group included six Austrian firms considering expansion into the U.S. market.
They started the visit in Greer, S.C., where they toured a BMW factory said to be the German auto maker’s top export plant in the world and toured an inland port facility.
After being welcomed to Atlanta by Honorary Consul (and industrial real estate executive) Paul Seefried, the group attended the German-American Chamber of Commerce South’s annual SME Summit in Duluth on April 17.
“Several topics, such as workforce development, manufacturing innovation and logistics solutions were highly relevant for the Austrian companies exploring market entry or expansion opportunities,” Ms. Heitzmann wrote in a statement to Global Atlanta.
In keeping with the trip’s theme of uncovering the “Best of Automotive & Logistics in the Southeast USA,” the group also met with high-level executives including Porsche Cars North America CEO Timo Resch, who hosted them at the Porsche Experience Center near the Atlanta airport.
“Resch offered insights into Porsche’s growth and its strategic positioning in Atlanta as a nationwide logistics hub,” Ms. Heitzmann said.
From the industry side, they heard from Rick Walker of the Georgia Automotive Manufacturers Association about recent investments announcements the region by Hyundai, Kia and Rivian.
They also traded notes with an existing Austrian investor in Georgia, Knapp North America, a provider of warehouse automation technologies that recently expanded its Kennesaw facility to accommodate a growing workforce. Knapp invested $7 million in its facility in 2020 to create space for 400 employees, including 150 on the warehouse floor and 250 in the office.
Finally, they received a proper Atlanta pitch from the Metro Atlanta Chamber’s Stefan Harrigan, who visited Austria in the months leading up to this mission.
A reception at the offices of Arnall Golden Gregory LLP, where attorney Tycho Stahl shared insights on market entry, closed out the April 15-18 trip.
The following Austrian companies participated in the mission:
- MSG Mechatronic Systems
- DEWETRON
- Hödlmayr International
- CNT Management Consulting
- AMAG Austria Metall
- VEGU Precision Turning Parts
Advantage Austria is the Austrian government’s trade promotion arm. The Atlanta outpost is part of a network that includes offices in New York, Washington D.C., Los Angeles, San Francisco and Chicago.
