ECD Commissioner Matt Kisber to Address Auto Suppliers in Germany
Released on Wed, Apr 15, 2009 - 9:36 am under
Team of Tennessee Leaders Traveling to Hanover for Southeastern Automotive Supplier Forum
NASHVILLE — ECD Commissioner Matt Kisber will travel to Hanover, Germany to speak about strategies and opportunities in Tennessee for German original engine manufacturers and automotive suppliers during the Southeastern Automotive Supplier Forum April 16. The conference is sponsored by the Chamber of Industry and Commerce Hanover and the German American Chambers of Commerce of the Southern U.S.
A team of five leaders from Tennessee, including Commissioner Kisber, will give a presentation entitled “Business Success in Tennessee: Strategies and Opportunities for OEM's and Suppliers” to more than 100 participants representing some of Germany’s largest automotive suppliers.
“The Southern Automotive Supplier Forum is a tremendous opportunity for Tennessee to show Germany’s leading auto suppliers what Volkswagen already knows: that our state is emerging as the central hub of the growing Southern automotive industry,” Commissioner Kisber said. “Governor Bredesen and I believe Volkswagen is an anchor project that will draw thousands more automotive jobs to the state, and representing Tennessee in Hanover this week is a strategic step in achieving that goal.”
Volkswagen announced in July 2008 that they would build a $1 billion manufacturing facility, their only plant in the U.S., in Chattanooga. The company purchased additional land at the Enterprise South Megasite for the purpose of attracting suppliers for the world’s third-largest automaker. Commissioner Kisber and Governor Bredesen led a trade mission to three cities in Germany last October to recruit potential Volkswagen suppliers to the area.
Presenting in Hanover along with Commissioner Kisber will be Revenue Commissioner Reagan Farr, Chattanooga Chamber Vice President of Economic and Community Development Trevor Hamilton, Chattanooga Mayor Ron Littlefield and Hamilton County Mayor Claude Ramsey. Volkswagen Group of America Chattanooga Operations CEO Frank Fischer will also participate in the seminar with the Tennessee delegation.
About the Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development
The Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development’s mission is to create higher skilled, better paying jobs for all Tennesseans. The department seeks to attract new corporate investment in Tennessee and works with Tennessee companies to facilitate expansion and economic growth. To find out more, go to www.tnecd.gov.
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