Five days. Three cities. Six German companies. One mission: building new connections and exploring business opportunities in the U.S. aerospace market.
From September 14–18, 2026, the German American Chamber of Commerce of the Southern U.S. (GACC South) welcomed six German companies for an Aerospace Business Development Trip through North Carolina and Georgia.
The delegation brought together representatives from Anton Häring, ANDRITZ Schuler, Mubea, EJOT, Moser Fahrzeugtechnik, and Sensolus for an intensive week of market insights, company visits, B2B meetings, and industry networking.
Traveling from Charlotte to Atlanta and Savannah, participants had the opportunity to experience three distinct aerospace and manufacturing ecosystems, meet potential business partners, and explore what it takes to establish and grow a presence in the United States.
Charlotte: Understanding the Market and Making Connections
The week began in Charlotte, North Carolina, with a market briefing and roundtable discussion introducing the delegation to the regional business environment and aerospace industry.
The conversations provided an opportunity to better understand the U.S. market, exchange perspectives with local industry representatives, and identify potential areas for cooperation.
The delegation then visited CHIRON Group America, gaining firsthand insights into the company's U.S. operations and advanced manufacturing capabilities.
The day continued with individual B2B meetings and an evening of networking with members of Charlotte's business and aerospace community.
These initial conversations helped establish connections that could develop into future business relationships, while providing the German companies with a better understanding of the opportunities and expectations of the American market.
A special thank you to our partners in the Charlotte region for welcoming the delegation and facilitating these valuable exchanges.
From Germany to Georgia: Market Entry in Practice
One of the week's most valuable experiences came during the journey from Charlotte to Atlanta.
The delegation made a stop at the U.S. facility of Anton Häring in Lavonia, Georgia, where participants had the opportunity to see firsthand how a German manufacturer has established and developed its American operations.
For the other delegation companies, the visit offered a particularly relevant perspective on international expansion.
Beyond establishing a physical presence, successful market entry involves building local teams, developing operational structures, adapting to a different business environment, and connecting German expertise with U.S. market requirements.
Seeing these elements in practice at a fellow German company's facility provided insights that went beyond a traditional market briefing.
Thank you to the Anton Häring team for opening its doors and sharing its experience with the delegation.
Atlanta: Bringing the German and U.S. Aerospace Communities Together
Wednesday, September 16, marked one of the central events of the delegation trip: GACC South's Aerospace Day Conference in Atlanta.
The conference brought together the six German delegation companies with aerospace professionals, manufacturers, suppliers, industry representatives, and business leaders from Georgia and across the United States.
Throughout the day, the German companies introduced their businesses, technologies, and solutions to the American aerospace community, creating opportunities for direct exchange and potential future collaboration.
The program also featured insights from U.S. industry experts and representatives, including German Consul General Oliver Bientzle, Hillary Maddox, Elizabeth McLean, Kimberly Shoff Allred, Mark A. Russell, James Palacios, Dr. Maximilian Oehlschlaegel, and Lee Smith, alongside contributions from the GACC South team.
Discussions and presentations provided perspectives on the aerospace industry, its business environment, and opportunities for German and American companies to connect across the supply chain.
The strong participation, including guests who traveled from outside Georgia specifically for the conference, demonstrated the interest in strengthening connections between the two aerospace communities.
Following the conference, attendees continued their conversations during a networking reception at the GACC South Atlanta office.
What began as company introductions and industry discussions throughout the day continued into more informal exchanges, allowing participants to strengthen new relationships, reconnect with industry contacts, and explore opportunities for future cooperation.
A sincere thank you to all speakers, participating companies, partners, and guests who contributed to the conference and helped make the day a success.
We look forward to bringing this community together again!
Savannah: Aerospace Meets Global Logistics
The delegation's final destination was Savannah, Georgia, where the program offered a closer look at the intersection of aerospace manufacturing, international logistics, and regional economic development.
The first stop was the Georgia Ports Authority and the Port of Savannah.
During the visit, participants gained insights into the scale of the port's operations, the range of goods and materials moving through its facilities, and its importance as an international logistics hub.
The discussions also highlighted the connections between the port and the surrounding aerospace industry, as well as the infrastructure investments and growth planned for the region.
For companies considering an expansion into the United States, understanding the logistics infrastructure supporting a potential business location is an important part of evaluating market opportunities.
The visit offered a practical perspective on how access to international shipping routes, transportation networks, and industrial infrastructure can support manufacturing operations and supply chains.
A Look Inside Gulfstream Aerospace
The delegation concluded its company visits with a stop at Gulfstream Aerospace, one of Savannah's most prominent aerospace manufacturers.
The visit gave the participating German companies an opportunity to gain a closer look at the aerospace industry in Savannah and the manufacturing ecosystem surrounding a major international aircraft manufacturer.
For the delegation, it was a fitting conclusion to a week focused on exploring the different elements of the U.S. aerospace market, from supplier relationships and production capabilities to logistics infrastructure and regional business development.
Special thanks to the Savannah Economic Development Authority and the Georgia Department of Economic Development for their support in organizing the visits and connecting the delegation with key industry representatives.
Five Days of Transatlantic Exchange and New Business Opportunities
Over the course of one week, the delegation experienced several different sides of the U.S. aerospace industry.
From its first market briefing in Charlotte to the final company visit in Savannah, the program combined practical market-entry knowledge with direct access to U.S. businesses, industry experts, and regional economic development organizations.
The experience also demonstrated the value of bringing companies directly into the markets they are considering entering or expanding within.
Meeting potential partners face-to-face, visiting operating facilities, and seeing how other German businesses have established themselves in the United States provide perspectives that cannot be gained through market research alone.
For GACC South, the Aerospace Business Development Trip reflects our ongoing commitment to connecting German and American businesses, facilitating international market entry, and supporting long-term transatlantic business relationships.
A special thank you to all participating companies, speakers, host organizations, and regional partners who contributed to making this week possible.
The delegation was conducted as part of the Market Entry Programme for SMEs of the German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy (BMWE), in cooperation with Germany Trade & Invest (GTAI), with additional support from BDLI, the German Aerospace Industries Association.
We look forward to seeing how the conversations and connections made throughout the week continue to develop.
Interested in exploring the U.S. market?
GACC South supports German companies throughout their U.S. market entry and expansion journey, from market research and business partner searches to site selection, company visits, and individually arranged B2B meetings.
Connect with our Consulting Services team to explore opportunities for your business.
