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U.S. team celebrates a big victory at Hannover Messe

Attendance up and spirits high as Select USA marks a successful week in Germany.

By Bob Vavra, Content Manager, CFE Media April 28, 2016

And on the third day, they partied. The U.S. Department of Commerce threw a big bash on the third day of Hannover Messe to celebrate what has been a successful show in terms of both foot traffic and business growth for U.S. manufacturing.

Commerce Secretary Penny Pritzker and U.S. Ambassador to Germany John Emerson welcomed more than 1,000 people to the Select USA pavilion in Hall 3 at the Hannover Messe fairgrounds. It was a night to celebrate and to relax, as more than 13,000 bottles of beer were imported from the U.S. to help get the party started.

Hannover Messe officials said traffic the first two days was up 23%, and credit largely is given to the U.S. presence as Partner Country. The even-numbered year show at Hannover actually are the smaller of the two shows in general, since the Motion Drives and Automation (MDA) pavilion only is open in odd-numbered years. Hannover officials expect this to be among the largest even-numbered year shows ever.

The party was highlighted by a performance from the U.S. Army Europe Band and Chorus. Military personnel in full dress uniform turned in a highly entertaining night of music. The 10-piece band played and sang blues, swing and rock songs to the delight of the workers from the Department of Commerce and the more than 40 state and regional economic development groups at this year’s event.

Already paying dividends: According to a Select USA press release, the Berghoff Group will invest $30 million and create 100 jobs in Auburn, Ala. at its first U.S. manufacturing plant. Starting in 2017, Berghoff Precision Machining will produce parts in Auburn for customers in the equipment manufacturing, semiconductor, and aerospace industries.

"We welcome middle-sized German companies investing and succeeding in the United States," said Ambassador John Emerson in a press release. "The Berghoff Group is a family-owned firm with a strong tradition here in Germany. We are proud to join that tradition with U.S. productivity and innovation—among the many reasons foreign firms choose to invest in the United States."

"With the North America operation we will be able to serve our global customers both from Europe and the U.S.," said Oliver Bludau, CEO of the Berghoff Group. "Berghoff’s principles and processes will create the same quality and value for our customers for products made at our Auburn location. We are very grateful to the State of Alabama and the City of Auburn for the support that our project is receiving."

Bob Vavra, content manager, CFE Media, bvavra@cfemedia.com.

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