STUTTGART, GERMANY - Governor Robert Bentley and other state officials met in Stuttgart, Germany, Friday to thank leaders of Daimler AG for the company's continued expansion of the Mercedes-Benz facility in Tuscaloosa County and to further discuss the long-term partnership between the German automaker and the State of Alabama.
The meeting today was part of a week-long economic development trip that included a visit to an Airbus manufacturing facility in Hamburg, Germany, and will end with a visit to the Farnborough Air Show in England. Alabama Department of Commerce Secretary Greg Canfield is accompanying the Governor on the economic development mission.
Earlier in his economic development mission, Governor Bentley on Thursday visited an Airbus manufacturing facility in Hamburg. The Governor met with Airbus officials to discuss the company's new facility that will be built at the Brookley Aeroplex in Mobile. On Monday, Airbus announced it would build its first North American manufacturing facility at the complex, creating 1,000 new jobs within the facility and 3,200 construction-related jobs.
Governor Robert Bentley meets with Airbus officials at the company's Hamburg manufacturing facility on Thursday, July 5. Pictured L to R are: Ulrich Weber, Head of FAL USA; Governor Bentley; Manfred Porath, VP of Final Assembly and Integration of A320 Family Programme, Airbus; Greg Canfield, Alabama Department of Commerce Secretary; Ed Castile, Alabama Industrial Development Training Director; and Paul Gaskell, Regional Country Manager, Airbus.-Office of Gov Robert Bentley image
The Airbus project is a strong example of the economic development projects targeted by Accelerate Alabama - a long-term strategic plan for attracting a broad range of industries and new jobs. Accelerate Alabama was created by the Alabama Economic Development Alliance, which was established by Governor Bentley last year.
As the Governor's economic development mission continues, Governor Bentley is scheduled to attend the Farnborough International Airshow in England on Sunday. There, Governor Bentley will meet with key aviation and aerospace industry figures and other senior government officials. The goal is to continue the progress that has been made in attracting new, high-tech industries and employment opportunities for Alabama. Aerospace is one of 11 specific business sectors that Alabama is pursuing for additional development as part of the Accelerate Alabama plan.
At the last Farnborough Airshow in 2010, nearly 1,500 exhibitors from 40 countries and 120,000 trade visitors were in attendance. Farnborough provides an excellent opportunity for members of the aviation and aerospace supply chains to come together, meet with customers, and discuss future opportunities. While at Farnborough, Governor Bentley will meet with companies that already have a presence in Alabama and companies looking to potentially locate in Alabama. -Office of the Governor, Robert Bentley