Join us for our annual Spring Network Event at Penn Brewery! We are excited to announce that this years speaker is Lord Mayor of Dortmund Ullrich Sierrau and his Delegation! Moreover, we will welcome our guests from the BVB Dortmund soccer club.
The Spring Network Event is a long-standing tradition that started with the GABC! As one of our favorite events, we hope you can join us for German food, beer, and our German and American friends and colleagues! And this time, with the delegation from Dortmund of 25 guests, including the Lord Mayor Sierau and the soccer club of BVB Dortmund!
Keynote Speaker
The event will feature our VIP guest- Lord Mayor Ullrich Sierau, who will speak on Dortmund's revitalization and how Dortmund and Pittsburgh can partner and learn from each other!
In the not too distant past, Pittsburgh was a bustling place known for blast furnaces, smoking chimneys and soot, but when America’s steel industry imploded and plants closed, the population of Pittsburgh plunged while unemployment skyrocketed. The Steel City quickly became part of the Rust Belt. Today there is little trace of this history. Pittsburgh has reinvented itself, becoming a “center of inventors”, as Kathrin Werner aptly calls it. Ms. Werner is the U.S. Correspondent for Süddeutsche Zeitung, Germany’s largest broadsheet newspaper. During her visit to Pittsburgh, she saw autonomous medical robots, power-folding baby strollers and intelligent drones, all made in what was once the Steel City. Thanks in large measure to the region’s excellent universities, including Carnegie Mellon University and the University of Pittsburgh, the city has become an innovative start-up and high tech center. International companies such as Disney, Google, Apple and Uber have research facilities in Pittsburgh. The region is also home to more than 125 German companies.
How has Pittsburgh achieved such a dramatic turnaround? Kathrin Werner spoke with Joe Peilert, who serves as the CEO of the North American division of the German company VEKA, the world´s leading producer of PVC-U profile systems for windows and doors. He is also a board member of the Pittsburgh Chapter of the German American Chamber of Commerce. Peilert sees many parallels between the region around Pittsburgh and the Ruhr area in Germany. This includes a skilled and loyal workforce with a strong work ethic. In contrast to cities like Bochum, however, Peilert sees greater appetite for structural change in Pittsburgh. New start-ups are founded and grow up alongside companies like VEKA, which expands. The population is slowly increasing, the cost of living is low, and transportation connections are favorable. In the center of the city that once was one of the dirtiest in the country, there is now the greenest skyscraper in the world. It is the new headquarters of PNC, the fifth largest financial institution in the United States. Pittsburgh has become a very attractive business location – also for German companies.
Read Kathrin Werner’s article on Pittsburgh here (in German): http://www.sueddeutsche.de/wirtschaft/report-stadt-aus-stahl-1.2725137
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Warum deutsche Firmen Pittsburgh attraktiv finden
Vor nicht allzu langer Zeit war Pittsburgh eine lebhafte Stadt, die für Hochöfen, rauchende Schornsteine und Ruß bekannt war. Doch als die US-amerikanische Stahlindustrie unterging und die Stahlwerke schlossen, sank die Bevölkerung von Pittsburgh rapide und die Arbeitslosigkeit stieg dramatisch. , Die Stahlstadt wurde Teil des Rostgürtels. Heutzutage merkt man davon jedoch kaum etwas, denn Pittsburgh hat sich neu erfunden – als „Zentrum der Erfinder“, wie es Kathrin Werner treffend bezeichnet. Frau Werner ist die U.S. Korrespondentin der Süddeutschen Zeitung. Während ihres Besuches in Pittsburgh traf sie auf autonome Krankenhaus-Roboter, faltbare Kinderwagen und intelligente Drohnen – allesamt hergestellt in der Stadt, die einst die Stahlstadt war. Vor allem auch dank der exzellenten Universitäten – dazu zählen Carnegie Mellon und University of Pittsburgh – ist Pittsburgh heute eine innovative Startup- und High-Tech-Metropole. Internationale Konzerne wie Disney, Google, Apple und Uber haben in Pittsburgh einen Forschungsstandort errichtet. Auch mehr als 125 deutsche Unternehmen sind hier zuhause.
Doch wie hat Pittsburgh diesen kompletten Wandel geschafft? Darüber sprach Kathrin Werner mit Joe Peilert, Nordamerika-Chef der deutschen Firma VEKA, dem Weltmarktführer für Kunststoff-Fensterrahmen. Er ist auch Vorstandsmitglied der GACCPIT. Peilert sieht viele Parallelen zwischen der Region um Pittsburgh und dem Ruhrgebiet, dazu zählt er eine gute, bodenständige und treue Arbeiterschaft mit einer starken Arbeitsmoral. Doch anders als in Städten wie Bochum sieht Peilert in Pittsburgh Mut zum Strukturwandel. Neue Startups entstehen neben Unternehmen wie VEKA, das expandiert. Auch die Einwohnerzahl steigt wieder leicht, die Lebenshaltungskosten sind gering und Transportverbindungen sind vorhanden. Mitten in der Stadt, die einst zu den schmutzigsten des Landes gehörte, steht heute das grünste Hochhaus der Welt. Es ist das neue Hauptquartier von PNC, dem fünftgrößten Geldhaus in den USA. Pittsburgh hat sich zu einem attraktiven Unternehmensstandort entwickelt – auch für deutsche Firmen.
Pittsburgh is exceptionally fortunate to have a new German-owned company taking up residence on the city’s South Side. SCOPE International launched its operations here in October 2015 to meet client needs in the United States. Mr. Gerald Meub, the company’s CEO, came to town to mark the occasion and to officially name Ms. Alethea Wieland to lead the company’s activities here.
SCOPE International is an independent, global, full-service contract research organization (CRO) headquartered in Mannheim, Germany. The firm supports clinical trials and regulatory submissions for pharmaceutical, biotechnology, and medical device companies worldwide. SCOPE offers comprehensive clinical development services, including project management, clinical monitoring, data management, biostatistics, and medical writing for a single trial or an entire clinical trials program.
Ms. Wieland is an entrepreneurial expert with extensive experience with clinical research operations, quality control and audits, regulatory submissions, and negotiations with the FDA and Health Canada. She knows first-hand Pittsburgh’s emerging life science sector with impressive drug, biologic, and medical device innovations and spin-outs from the universities that draw outside investments. Although some pockets within industry have taken notice, Pittsburgh is not well known outside of the US. Ms. Wieland firmly believes that Pittsburgh has “economic advantages over Boston, Atlanta, DC, Philadelphia, and other more expensive cities because of the significant savings that can be passed on to our clients from our competitive housing market, cost of living, salary requirements, and highly educated workforce.”
Christian Manders, COO of Promethean LifeSciences, Inc., which is based in Pittsburgh, said, “(our city) is one of the few regions in the world that has over a billion dollars in basic science research and top tier computer science talent (but) Pittsburgh has been underperforming on the commercialization of its research and SCOPE should be able to help the region take the next steps to prove and commercialize concepts.”
SCOPE’s U.S. office opens with multiple customer projects already underway with more slated for 2016. We wish the company well. It brings world-class capability in its field to the region and it recognizes that Pittsburgh is a very promising place to start its U.S. operations.
Global businesses and investors have recognized Hannover Messe as a top trade and investment show for decades, but with the United States as the event Partner Country for the first time in history, there is more opportunity for U.S. companies and the nation as a whole to showcase itself as the global business leader.
Companies that participate as U.S. exhibitors in a U.S. Pavilion will find unequaled advantage by participating in the U.S. Pavilions:
For registration or more information, go to http://trade.gov/events/hannovermesse/.
Germans, Austrians and Swiss who are planning on doing an internship or traineeship in the U.S. can only apply for a J-1 Exchange Visitor Visa by submitting a Certificate of Eligibility at the U.S. Consulate in his or her home country. The German American Chamber of Commerce New York is officially authorized by the U.S. Department of State to issue a DS-2019 Certificate of Eligibility for interns and trainees. With the issuance of the DS-2019, the GACC operates as the sponsor of the Exchange Visitor during the entire stay in the U.S.
If you want to know more about our J-1 Visa Service as well as other employment-based immigration issues regarding temporary and permanent visas for foreign employees, then join us for our Executive Roundtable on Immigration Visas on Thursday, August 20! Thomas Dzimian, the responsible Officer for the GACC J-1 internship visa and an expert in his field, and Alexa Forte, Director in the Immigration Practice Group at Cohen & Grigsby, P.C., will give you latest information, guidelines and requirements.
Sign up now for the Executive Roundtable!
We thank GACC Pittsburgh member Nevena Staresinic of Moderna Relocations for the following contribution.
The German Mindset
In the main, Germans are proud, competitive and ambitious. Society is highly structured and life is conducted according to a set of rules. Focus is on the long term, and on achieving stability. Germans enjoy a high standard of living and take their personal time seriously. Most people keep their private and work lives separate. Germans are highly educated and cultured; Germany is the best-read country in Europe and the arts play a big role in many lives. Germans are also active, enjoying outdoor life to the full, with many people practicing sport regularly.
Business Organization
Germany has few self-employed or entrepreneurs; most people in employment work for someone else. Hierarchy is very important in German business. Decision-making in Germany can be a mystery to outsiders: in addition to the official chain of command, German companies often have a parallel ‘hidden’ experts, advisers and decision makers.
Working With A Broad Spectrum Of Germans
Germans are focused on two objectives: product quality and product service. They have a strong desire to be the best and are highly orientated to customer satisfaction. The process of production is important, as is the end result. Order, planning, a lack of risk and technical detail are all highly valued. Expect detailed negotiations with many experts called in; a great deal of due diligence on any deal; extended decision-making; lengthy contracts; and detailed follow-up. Be prepared to work hard at building relationships. German work teams have often been described as a group of individual experts working towards a common goal.
Communication Styles
German communication styles are direct, short and in general very quickly to the point. The style of communication in German workplaces is very formal; even people who have worked together for years use the polite ‘Sie’ form of address. Germans tend to be quite frank. Be sure you can back up your claims with lots of data. Small talk is not traditional. Germans tend to like people who are very clear about their expectations and getting down to business is the norm.
The Five Essentials to Successful Collaboration
American and German Comparison
Main similarities:
Main Differences:
Exceptions and rules
There is an old joke that goes, “Germans love to live by rules. As long as they are German rules. Others’ rules don’t make much sense to them.” In a similar vein, this and other cross-cultural documents can’t be taken overly seriously or read through a telescope of rigidity. Cultures cross a wide spectrum. Individuals dwell within culture, including those who refuse to be bound by traditional social norms and cultural expectations. These days, many managers and executives are versed at living in the world and have adopted an international style. In this regard, Americans are wise to apply the US’ culturally typed acceptance, fairness, democracy and openness at full throttle. Be inquisitive, open, ask good questions, listen carefully, and learn about each other.
Generally speaking, general-isms are often true. When dealing with each other, we remain mindful of generational differences, the speed of social change, accelerations that bring people together more than in the past, sharing and living across cultures, a global cosmopolitanism in urban centers, and myriad ways in which converging spheres of consumerism, news, language and information may yet mask deep differences in habit, culture, and expectations. Maintaining an open, flexible, tolerant stance can be helpful in deepening understanding, and establishing trusting contacts that lead to strong relationships.
For more in-depth about German society characteristics, as Etiquette, Business Meeting Culture, Forms of Address, Making a Good Impression or Easy guide on key elements of other society mindsets, please inquire at office@moderna.us.
Moderna Relocation helps corporate transferees, newcomers and companies with Orientation, Settling-In, House/Office Finding and Cross-cultural training in the Pittsburgh region.
www.moderna.us
nevena@moderna.us
The dual training system in Germany is a widespread and popular form of preparing young people to be effective contributors in the workplace. It is a prominent aspect of the German economy with almost 50 % of young people in their late teens/early 20s and companies of all sizes taking part. In the dual training model, theory and practice are combined; a young person is employed by a company in a training position and, at the same time, is also enrolled in a vocational educational program to acquire needed classroom knowledge. The two parallel experiences reinforce each other.
The German dual training approach has been adapted for use in the United States, especially in places like South Carolina, where German-owned companies faced a shortage of skilled workers to fill open positions that offered good pay, job security and a career path. The same problem exists in Pittsburgh, where some of the local employers cannot easily find the right mix of skills and education in job candidates.
With help from the German Embassy and its Skills Initiative, along with the opportunity to benchmark successful programs in the U.S. that draw heavily from the German model, we can implement a similar system in Southwestern Pennsylvania. The Pittsburgh Chapter of the German American Chamber of Commerce will help and the benefits can be enormous.
For Students:
For Companies:
For Our Region:
Warum es gut für uns ist, das deutsche duale Ausbildungsmodell in der Pittsburgh-Region anzuwenden.
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Die duale Ausbildung ist in Deutschland eine weit verbreitete und beliebte Form, um junge Menschen optimal auf die Arbeitswelt vorzubereiten. Insgesamt stellt das duale Ausbildungssystem einen bedeutenden Teil der deutschen Wirtschaft dar. Rund 50 Prozent der jungen Menschen um die 20 Jahre und Firmen aller Größen nehmen daran teil. Im dualen Ausbildungsmodell werden Theorie und Praxis vereint. Ein Jugendlicher wird von einem Unternehmen als Auszubildender angestellt und ist zur selben Zeit an einer Berufsschule eingeschrieben, um benötigtes theoretisches Wissen zu erlangen. Die beiden parallelen Erfahrungen verstärken sich gegenseitig.
Der Ansatz der deutschen dualen Ausbildung wurde bereits für den Gebrauch in den U.S.A. angepasst, besonders in Staaten wie South Carolina, wo deutsch-stämmige Unternehmen mit einem Mangel an qualifizierten Arbeitern konfrontiert waren, um offene Stellen zu besetzen, die eine gute Bezahlung, Jobsicherheit und Karrieremöglichkeiten boten. Dasselbe Problem existiert in Pittsburgh, wo manche lokale Arbeitgeber für offene Stellen keine Bewerber finden, die die passenden Qualifikationen mitbringen.
Mit Hilfe von der deutschen Botschaft und dessen Skills Initiative sowie der Möglichkeit, erfolgreiche Programme in den U.S.A., die auf dem deutschen Modell basieren, zu benchmarken, können wir ein ähnliches System in Southwestern Pennsylvania implementieren. Das Pittsburgh Chapter der Deutsch-Amerikanischen Handelskammer hilft dabei und der Nutzen kann enorm sein.
Für Studenten:
Für Unternehmen:
Für unsere Region:
Angela Merkel und ein Terrible Towel – einem amerikanischen Austauschstudenten ist mit diesem Foto gelungen, wofür GACC PIT steht: Pittsburgh und Deutschland verbinden. Als Dank für seinen Besuch bei der Eröffnungsfeier und als Erinnerung an den Abend haben wir daher unserem Ehrengast und Hauptredner Dan Rooney, dem ehemaligen U.S. Botschafter in Irland und legendären Vorsitzenden der Steelers, dieses Bild überreicht. Über 200 Gäste lauschten in Heinz Hall gespannt, was er sowie die weiteren Redner zu erzählen hatten. Wir sind mit dem gesamten Abend sehr zufrieden und freuen uns schon auf unser nächstes Event: einen Abend zum Networken und Kennenlernen auf der Dachterrasse unseres Büros am 20. Mai!
Jetzt anmelden: http://www.gaccpit.com/events/upcoming-events/
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Angela Merkel and a Terrible Towel – with this picture, an American exchange student has accomplished what GACC PIT stands for: to connect Pittsburgh with Germany. In gratitude for his participation in the Launch Reception and as a memento of the evening we presented our guest of honor and keynote speaker Dan Rooney, the former U.S. Ambassador to Ireland and legendary chairman of the Steelers, with this picture. More than 200 guests listened intently to what he and all the other speakers said at Heinz Hall. We are very pleased with the whole evening and look forward to our upcoming event: an evening of networking and new member reception at our office and rooftop on May 20!
Sign up now: http://www.gaccpit.com/events/upcoming-events/
A membership with the German American Chamber of Commerce of the Pittsburgh offers its members many benefits, and allows them to emerge with prestige and good reputation in the German American business community.
We offer exclusive benefits and services to our members, such as access to our extensive network of business partners in Germany and the US, networking and industry events, the publication of your company in our membership directories, as well as discounts on several consulting services as well as advertising opportunities in our publications. On top of these benefits, we always refer our members and their services first when we receive inquiries.
Join our exclusive group of executives, entrepreneurs, and companies today by filling out our membership application form, and receive access to our valuable benefits and services!
Get more information on our different types of memberships and their benefits:
Interested in becoming a member? Please contact us for further information at membership@gaccpit.com
2. The German American Business Circle (GABC) was in existence in Pittsburgh for well over two decades and it attracted 80-120 attendees to its socially-focused events held every four months; the GABC leadership is eager to merge the GABC into the newly-created GACC-Pittsburgh.
3. The GABC holds periodic breakfast meetings for the CEOs of German-owned businesses in Pittsburgh; the Chamber will continue these programs and networking events.
4. The Pittsburgh area is of increasing interest to German companies, as well as other firms that have or will have direct commercial ties to Germany.
5. The Pittsburgh region, long known for its industrial strength, today is enjoying an economic resurgence based on education, medicine, manufacturing, information technology, finance and energy, both conventional and renewable; the shale gas boom, in particular, has brought intense development and economic opportunity to the region.
6. The importance of energy-related business cannot be overstated; the diversity of activity, the upstream and downstream development associated with the boom, the resulting lower costs of operation and the focus of energy-related educational research in area universities all bring a vitality to the region that cannot be matched elsewhere.
7. The downstream benefits of low-cost energy (primarily from gas) are attracting more and more companies to the region, including those with a manufacturing focus; these are member candidates for the chamber as well as a market for German firms wishing to locate operations here.
8. Pittsburgh enjoys a central location within easy reach and transportation connection for goods and passengers to much of the eastern, southern and mid-western regions of the U.S. and Canada.
9. The Pittsburgh region is home to over 30 universities and colleges, including major research institutions, as well as community colleges that emphasize workforce preparation. Carnegie Mellon University and the University of Pittsburgh have international reputations and reach; they are global front-runners in computer science, software development, cybersecurity, engineering, medicine, law and the arts.
10. The residents of the Pittsburgh region are hard-working, well-educated, loyal, and resilient; they have traditional values often compared to European workers.
11. Pittsburgh is consistently ranked one of the United States’ and the world’s most livable cities; educational, cultural, recreational and business assets are excellent. Its professional sports franchises are among the very best in the world.
12. Pittsburgh’s business leaders are known for being friendly, cooperative, innovative and smart; just one example of this can be found in the new Energy Innovation Center, which trains workers for jobs in the energy sector and which brings companies and universities together for research efforts in this field.
13. Today, there are over 100 German-owed businesses in the region, including very large, medium and smaller enterprises.
14. The cost of living in Pittsburgh region compares very favorably to most other parts of te United States.
