Newsletter May 2011

New York, May 4, 2011 - Daimler has benefited from last year's boom in demand for premium automobiles in the United States. With a sales increase of over 22% (reported in Euro) Daimler ranks first in the new Top 50 Ranking of German Firms in the U.S. compiled annually by the German American Chambers of Commerce. German automotive and components firms reported strong growth. Volkswagen Group of America sold 21% more cars than in 2009. The new U.S. VW Chief Jonathan Browning explains: “Our positioning within the market has improved with the introduction of our new models. We anticipate continuing growth in 2011, especially since we are now back in the U.S. with our own manufacturing plant in Chattanooga, Tennessee.“

2010 was a good year for the majority of German subsidiaries in the U.S.: Sales performance jumped by 6% from $265 billion in 2009 to $281 billion in 2010. Two thirds of the German subsidiaries reported increased sales in comparison to last year, while employment levels slightly increased. The 50 biggest German subsidiaries in the United States create approx. 426,000 jobs.

German subsidiaries weathered the financial crisis extremely well. They used financial instruments such as natural hedging or they pursued innovative personnel strategies. Stihl, Inc. – leading producer of chain saws – conducted an “in-sourcing initiative” in order to retain its highly-trained workforce.

Growth industries like the renewables sector continued to bring positive momentum to the U.S. market. Siemens, which ranks third, will build wind turbines for the country’s first offshore wind farm off the coast of Cape Cod, MA - a plan the U.S. government has just recently approved. Siemens will also contribute to the Obama Administration’s drive to strengthen the U.S. infrastructure. Large-scale investments in high-speed trains, rail and smart-grid projects, as well as energy efficiency are in the works nationwide. The Knorr-Bremse Group, number 38 in the ranking, reported a 14% growth rate in its Rail Vehicle Systems division.

From the automotive to the renewable energy sector, there is again movement in the U.S. market and the German subsidiaries are well-positioned. 

• Download TOP 50 Ranking 2010

Imagine an evening with imported German white asparagus from Rheinland-Pfalz, with German wines brought in from Hessen, and local live music when the German American Chamber of Commerce, Inc. invites its members and friends on Thursday, May 26, 2011 to its annual

White Asparagus Gala Dinner.

Join us for an evening in a memorable New York atmosphere at the Tribeca Rooftop! With the weather in our favor, the reception will be held at the location’s lavish terrace featuring a breath-taking view over the Big Apple.

For more information including registration and sponsorship opportunities, please contact Anne Voss at (212) 974-8849 or avoss@gaccny.com.


Sponsored by:

Join us for an evening of mingling and fun, including hors d’oeuvres, buffet dinner, beer & wine!

at Central Park Boat House
East 72nd Street & Park Drive North
Thursday, May 19, 2011
6 – 9pm

Every spring, members of the European-American Chamber of Commerce in the United States, Inc. gather their members for a dynamic evening of cocktails and conversation. A number of European bi-national chambers will be present, including the Austrian, Belgian, British, French, Italian, Luxembourg, Portuguese, Spanish, Swiss, Finnish and Swedish chambers.

Members: $65

Non-members/guests: $100

Space is limited. To RSVP, please use the registration link below.
If you have questions, please contact Anne Wittig at awittig(at)gaccny.com

Sponsored by:

Celebrate The Season! - May 25, 2011
The GACC NY Intern Fraternity would like to invite you to the

ANNUAL MANHATTAN BOAT CRUISE
Enjoy the spectacular view of the Manhattan skyline with drinks and
dancing on the Hudson River!

Aboard World Yacht’s Destiny
Pier 81 West 41st Street
New York, NY 10036

Boarding: 8 p.m.
Departure: 8.30 p.m. (Sharp!)
End: 11 p.m.

>>> For more informationen and to register, please click here.

New York (gtai) – Cell phone service providers in the US are ready to invest billions of dollars in new technologies and services. Competing for customers has shifted to a technological level. In order to bear this financial burden, smaller carriers try to bundle their financial energy by merging with other companies.

AT&T’s takeover of T-Mobile USA was only just the beginning. Equipment manufacturers of the new 4G networks as well as manufacturers of smartphones and tablet PCs are among the winners of this development. At least in the short run it is unlikely that mobile customers will have to accept an increase in price due to a smaller number in providers. All signed contracts would continue as an independent brand after the takeover of T-Mobile.

By investing billions, companies in the US are striving for better reception in the networks as well as faster data transmission and signaling rates. It is only with this, that cell phone providers can promote new smartphones and tablet PCs effectively. The latter seems to be the one to keep existing customers or even gain new ones.

>>> To read the full article, please see pages 18-20 of the current German American Trade magazine.

Title: Subsidiaries of German Firms in the U.S. 2011/2012

Author: German American Chamber of Commerce, New York

Content: Over 3,500 firms in the U.S., with German ownership of 50% or more. In addition to contact information, also lists the number of employees, contact name, title etc.

Language: English

Price: $120

• To order the book, click here! (Member discount available)
• To access the online version, click here! (Member discount available)

Enjoy fresh cuisine and handmade pizza & pasta at trendy, friendly and casual Vapiano in support of GermanyinNYC.org - the Place For All Things German in New York.

When: Tuesday, May 17th @ 6 -8 PM

Where: Vapiano, 113 University Place

Tickets: $35 per person includes open bar for two hours and mixed antipasti; bring two friends for $90.00 Get Tickets

It's a well-kept secret that Vapiano - one of the most innovative restaurant concepts in Europe - originated in Germany. The chain has only recently started to present its award-winning ideas in America.

Come join us at a night out on Union Square in an eclectic atmosphere with live music by Iris Ornig, great food (no dish more than $12.95), and the chance to win unique prices. Mingle with your friends in the German-American Community in a relaxed and comfortable atmosphere.

Mildly Great Expectations

We’re going to take a second to pat ourselves on the back.  You, you hard-working German (or American) business person, deserve one, too. Why? Because like most people, we enjoy feeling valued. *big, goofy grin*

Call us crazy, but we sincerely believe that praise for good work is an incentive to produce - dare we say it - MORE good work. (And really, that’s not just coming from us. Experts say it, too.) We have noticed several ways in which Germans and Americans approach this differently.

1.     Good work is always expected in a German workplace and rightfully so. The production of good work is exactly why we are hired, but sometimes there’s a learning curve and mistakes get made. A mistake should not be viewed as the downfall of your career, but rather, as a chance to improve yourself, your trade, and ultimately, your life. The key in the American work place is steady improvement.

>>> Continue reading How We Sink, our intercultural blog.

Recover up to 19% of your expenses in Germany! The GACC assists you in reclaiming the VAT (Value Added Tax) charged on business related expenses while on business in Germany. Refundable VAT applies to:

• Accommodation (hotel, restaurant, telephone)
• Transportation (taxi, car rental, trains, flights, etc.)
• Fairs, exhibitions, conferences, seminars (space rental, booth construction, furniture & equipment rental,
  utility charges, professional fees)
• Professional Services
• Servicing & maintenance on equipment & machinery and
• Delivery of goods to a third party

• Download our info sheet

Please note that the deadline set by the German Tax Authorities for processing 2010 invoices is June 30, 2011.

If you are interested in our service regarding 2010 or 2011 invoices, we recommend you to send us your original invoices at your earliest convenience. We will check them for eligibility and guide you through the further process.
For further information, please contact Ms. Susanne Gellert at (212) 974-8861 or vatservices@gaccny.com.

The German American Chamber of Commerce, Inc. together with Noerr LLP and the German Center for Research and Innovation proudly announce their next focus event

FOCUS: Export Control Reforms
What to Expect from Regulators in the US and European Union

Join us at
German Center for Research and Innovation
at the Consulate General of the Federal Republic of Germany
871 United Nations Plaza (1st Avenue at 49th Street)
New York, NY 10117

Monday June 6, 2011
6:00-8:00pm

Participation fee for Members $45
Participation fee for Non-Members $65

This event will be followed by a networking reception.

For more information, please click here.

Space is limited! To RSVP please contact Anne Wittig at awittig@gaccny.com or (212) 974-8837 by June 2nd.

If you love Berlin, the formerly city of the Wall, the airlift, and, today, the party city of the world, here is a new venture for you: Berlinica Publishing LLC, a New York-based multimedia publisher, brings Berlin to America. Berlinica publishes and sells books—fiction and nonfiction—movies, music, merchandise and more from Berlin, Germany at www.Berlinica.com, Amazon.com and Barnesandnoble.com.
Berlinica offers fiction, travel guides, history and architecture books, photo books, cookbooks, maps, documentaries, feature films, music CDs, calendars, T-shirts, mugs, and more. All titles are in English and DVDS are subtitled. Berlinica is owned by Dr. Eva C. Schweitzer, an author, correspondent and former metro reporter from Berlin.

For more information, please visit: www.Berlinica.com

 

May 23-26, 2011, New Munich Trade Fair Centre
LASER World of PHOTONICS brings together innovations, applications and know-how and provides comprehensive answers to forward-looking questions such as economic growth, energy, the environment, health care and security.

Get your tickets now and be part of LASER World of PHOTONICS!

Your advantages:
- 134 U.S. companies are exhibiting (exhibitor database)
- USA Pavilion
- World of Photonics Congress which is the largest photonics congress in Europe
- An event program with a wide range

For more information, please click here.

productronica All-Inclusive Package
Have you been thinking about attending productronica in Munich? We are offering an All-Inclusive Trip to the world’s leading trade fair for all aspects of the entire value chain for electronics manufacturing. In 2009, the show attracted 1,150 exhibitors and more than 28,000 visitors from 87 countries.

Highlights of the package:
- 4-star hotel
- Admission to productronica and Conference Program
- Dinner at famous Hofbräuhaus
- Guided tour through a traditional production facility
- Business Partner Match-Making

You may find the application forms online. Application deadline is September 20th, 2011.

If you have any questions, please contact Sabrina Weimer at (646) 437-1016 or sweimer@munich-tradefairs.com.