Jacqueline Ballasch
Project Manager - Government Projects & Trade Missions Consulting Services
+1 (404) 586-6824 jballasch@gaccsouth.com
From November 30 to December 4, 2026, GACC South and GACC Midwest, together with the German Machinery and Equipment Manufacturers Association (VDMA), will conduct a trade show in Kentucky and Tennessee. As part of the project, market briefings, business symposia, networking opportunities, and site visits will be organized for German companies. The project is funded through the Market Development Program (MEP) of the German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy (BMWE) and is primarily designed for small and medium-sized German enterprises.
The program focuses on sustainable machinery, equipment, and production solutions for battery manufacturing and recycling. It connects participating German companies with the rapidly developing battery industries in Kentucky and Tennessee and provides direct access to manufacturers, suppliers, technology partners, research institutions, and regional decision-makers.
Participants will present their products and technologies at two industry symposia and engage in targeted business matchmaking sessions. Company visits, bilateral meetings, and networking opportunities will offer additional insights into local market requirements, investment activities, and potential areas of cooperation. The program is designed to help German companies establish relevant contacts, evaluate concrete business opportunities, and develop long-term partnerships in the United States.
Market Opportunities
Battery manufacturers and their suppliers are adapting to changing market conditions, new production requirements, and increasing pressure to improve efficiency throughout the battery value chain. This creates strong opportunities for German machinery and plant engineering companies with specialized technologies and manufacturing expertise.
Solutions of particular interest include:
- Machinery and production equipment for battery cells, modules, packs, and energy storage systems
- Sustainable and energy-efficient manufacturing technologies
- Automation, robotics, and advanced quality-control systems
- Digital solutions for production monitoring and process optimization
- Equipment for battery testing, handling, and safety
- Battery recycling technologies and systems for recovering critical raw materials
- Solutions that improve scalability, productivity, resource efficiency, and operational reliability
Kentucky and Tennessee have attracted substantial investment in battery production and electric mobility. Their expanding manufacturing ecosystems offer promising entry points for German suppliers seeking new customers, cooperation partners, and projects in the U.S. market.
Participant Profile
The program is intended for eight to twelve German companies offering machinery, equipment, technologies, or services in areas such as:
- Battery cell, module, and pack production
- Manufacturing of stationary and mobile energy storage systems
- Production automation and digitalization
- Battery testing and quality assurance
- Battery recycling and material recovery
- Processing and reuse of critical raw materials
- Sustainable factory and infrastructure solutions
Participation Fees
The participation fee is based on the size of the German company:
- €250 net for companies with fewer than 10 employees and annual revenue below €2 million
- €850 net for companies with fewer than 750 employees and annual revenue below €150 million
- €1,500 net for companies with 750 or more employees or annual revenue of at least €150 million
The individual services provided through the project will be certified in accordance with the EU’s de minimis regulation.
Program
Day 1 – Sunday, November 29, 2026 – Kentucky
Individual Arrivals
Day 2 – Monday, November 30, 2026 – Kentucky
Morning | Breakfast Briefing
Afternoon | Site Visit & Individual Meetings
Day 3 – Tuesday, December 1, 2026 – Kentucky
Morning | Trade Show: Engineering & Infrastructure
Afternoon | Business Speed Dating Sessions
Late Afternoon | Site Visit & Individual Meetings
Day 4 – Wednesday, December 2, 2026 – Kentucky / Tennessee
Morning | Site Visit & Individual Meetings
Afternoon | Travel to Tennessee
Late Afternoon | Coffee & Cake Briefing
Day 5 – Thursday, December 3, 2026 – Tennessee
Morning | Trade Show: Engineering & Infrastructure
Afternoon | Business Speed Dating Sessions
Late Afternoon | Site Visit & Individual Meetings
Day 6 – Friday, December 4, 2026 – Tennessee
Morning | Bilateral Final Discussions
Afternoon | Individual Meetings and Individual Departure
