Pence Plans Economic Trip to Germany
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As a subscriber you can listen to articles at work, in the car, or while you work out. Subscribe NowGovernor Mike Pence will lead an economic development mission next month in Germany. The governor's office says the trip will include stops in Berlin, Hanover and Bocholt.
March 25, 2014
News Release
Indianapolis, Ind. — Governor Mike Pence will lead an economic development and jobs mission to Germany next month, his second international job-hunting trip as governor.
“Our latest legislative session continued to build upon Indiana's economic reputation as a pro-growth, pro-jobs state. This well-timed trip is an exceptional opportunity to continue telling the world why Indiana is a state that works for business,” said Pence. “As the third largest foreign employer in Indiana, German companies recognize the quality of Indiana-made goods. During this targeted jobs mission, we will showcase Indiana on an international stage, meet with German business leaders and learn how Indiana can continue to enhance its reputation as the U.S. destination of choice for their investments.”
The Governor will depart Indiana on April 12 and return on April 18. During the targeted job-hunting trip, he will travel to Aachen, Wipperfurth, Bocholt, Hanover and Berlin to meet with business and government leaders and host a business reception for potential investors.
He will also make calls to executives from Zentis GmbH & Co., VOSS Automotive and Jaeger Holding as well as other companies with Indiana operations. In response to Ambassador to the United States Dr. Peter Ammon's visit to Indiana last summer to promote the Skills Initiative, the Governor will visit Zentis to learn firsthand about Germany’s distinguished workforce development system.
During the trip, the Governor will also visit Ramstein Air Base, the U.S. Air Forces European headquarters and home to the 86th Airlift Wing.
In 2009, Germany emerged as the third top importer of Hoosier goods and continues to increase its purchase of Indiana goods each year. Germany is also the third largest source of foreign investment and employment in Indiana (following Japan and the United Kingdom), according to the Bureau of Economic Analysis. German subsidiaries alone are responsible for the creation of 12,500 jobs within the Hoosier economy, including Jaeger Unitech, VOSS Automotive, Zentis, Knauff Insulation, PMG Indiana LLC, Robert Bosch, Freudenberg & Co., Siemens and ThyssenKrupp, each of which have operated production sites in Indiana for years.
The cost of the state delegation is being covered through private donations to the Indiana Economic Development Foundation. In addition to Governor Pence, the state will be represented by First Lady Karen Pence and Secretary of Commerce Victor Smith. The Indiana Economic Development Corporation (IEDC) has an office in Berlin and its representatives will assist with trip arrangements.
Since 2005, the IEDC has secured projects with 33 German companies, projecting to create more than 3,200 new jobs and invest more than $476 million in their Indiana operations. Recently, Germany-based Zentis Food Solutions North America, a global producer of fruit preparations for the bakery and dairy industries, announced plans to invest $15.6 million to expand its production capabilities in Plymouth, Ind. creating 67 new jobs. Also, ThyssenKrupp Presta Terre Haute, a division of the components technology business area of Germany-based ThyssenKrupp, made plans in 2012 to invest $22 million to expand its Vigo County operations, adding approximately 120 new jobs.
This jobs mission comes just seven months after Pence led a delegation to Japan where he had more than 20 meetings with Japanese company executives, including the presidents and chief executive officers of Toyota Motor Corp., Honda and Fuji Heavy Industries.
Source: Office of Indiana Governor Mike Pence