Greg Canfield, Secretary of the Alabama Department of Commerce, said the five Alabama companies on the mission operate in fields including the life sciences sector, microgrid power systems, next-generation EV charging strategies and international project management services.
“Trade missions like the one to Germany have long been an important component in our strategy to strengthen Alabama’s international business ecosystem and uncover new trade and partnerships for our companies at home,” Secretary Canfield said.
“We want to generate opportunities for companies across Alabama to grow, so they can thrive and create new jobs,” he added.
Company representatives began the mission in Munich with business appointments arranged by the U.S. Consulate and facilitated by the Alabama District Office of the U.S. Export Assistance Center and Commerce.
The group then traveled to the IHK Schwaben in nearby Augsburg for the 11th installment of the E.U.-U.S. Small and Medium Enterprises (SME) Best Practices Workshop, where several Alabama representatives made presentations during panel discussions.
Kirk Atkinson, president of Adah International, an industrial engineering and project management services firm, said the trade mission unearthed new possibilities for his Birmingham company.
“The Made in Alabama team put together an immersive trade mission for us in Germany. We not only met but also began collaboration with new German customers and partners,” Atkinson said.
