From November 30 to December 4, 2026, GACC South and GACC Midwest, together with the German Engineering Federation (VDMA), will organize a trade show and business development program in Kentucky and Tennessee. The project is funded by 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.
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.
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.
The program is intended for eight to twelve German companies offering machinery, equipment, technologies, or services in areas such as:
Participation Fees
The participation fee is based on the size of the German company:
The individual services provided through the project will be certified in accordance with the EU’s de minimis regulation.
Aumann provides turnkey production systems and specialized machinery for battery and advanced manufacturing applications, addressing key challenges in scalability, automation, and production efficiency. The company is looking to connect with manufacturers seeking to accelerate ramp-up and enhance operational performance.
www.aumann.comBaumann delivers battery assembly and test lines for every cell format, tailor-made or as pre-configured solutions, plus a modular test system that adapts to each battery’s testing needs. Already active in the U.S., Baumann wants to connect with battery and EV manufacturers, automotive suppliers, engineering firms, start-ups and ECU/sensor makers.
www.baumann-gmbh.deBREYER develops precision calendering solutions for the manufacture of battery electrodes, utilizing proprietary technology to control the roll gap in order to maximize precision, reliability, and process efficiency. A new dry-coating calender was developed for upscaling from pilot to production. The company is seeking partnerships with electrode battery manufacturers and leading engineering firms to advance the production of next-generation batteries.
www.breyer-energy.comcylib's proprietary battery recycling technology enables the efficient recovery of critical raw materials from end-of-life batteries and production scrap. The company seeks partnerships across the battery value chain to improve resource security, reduce costs, and support local sourcing.
www.cylib.deGerman-engineered battery testing and formation, from R&D cell testers to modular formation towers, PCS/EMS for energy storage and DC fast charging, with North American manufacturing and support. Seeks battery and energy storage manufacturers, battery developers, and universities.
www.digatron.comWith its own U.S. subsidiary, FFT delivers complete turnkey production systems, from battery module, pack and housing assembly to body-in-white and final assembly. It combines joining technologies, vision and measurement, and an in-house battery testing division in one package. FFT wants to connect with OEMs, cell manufacturers, and BESS producers.
www.fft.deHEYCO is a German plastics manufacturer with U.S. production facilities specializing in injection-molded plastic components and assemblies for industries ranging from automotive to retail and industrial applications. The company is interested in connecting with organizations across the mobility and manufacturing ecosystem to explore partnerships and identify future business opportunities.
High Performance Battery develops solid-state battery and electrolyte technology for stationary and mobile energy-storage applications. Rather than manufacturing cells itself, the company licenses its non-flammable, long-life technology to manufacturers and application partners worldwide.
www.highperformancebattery.chHNP Mikrosysteme develops micro annular gear pumps and ready-to-use dosing systems for fast, accurate handling of very small liquid volumes. Its configurable solutions serve applications from mechanical engineering and chemistry to pharmaceuticals and analytics, with testing, integration and commissioning support.
www.hnp-mikrosysteme.deDevelops tailor-made machinery for battery cell painting, module and pack production, combining smart concepts and strong project execution with the Schaeffler Group’s manufacturing know-how. They are looking to partner with manufacturers and production experts, to transform requirements into solutions and therefore, shape a revolutionary production with innovation and excellence.
www.schaeffler-special-machinery.deFrom electrode foil to finished pack, SICK's sensors, certified 2D/3D vision systems for defect detection, and safety solutions ensure safe and productive operations, backed by more than ten years of experience in EV and ESS mass production. The company is seeking U.S. partners in battery manufacturing, BESS, data centers, and system integration, including startups.
www.sick.comSpraying Systems develops precision spray nozzles and automated AutoJet systems for controlled coating, lubrication and other industrial fluid applications. Its engineered systems combine spray hardware and controls to improve application consistency, reduce waste and support repeatable production processes.
www.spray.comSTAR Cooperation provides consulting and operational services across logistics, engineering, electronics, IT, digitalization and automotive after-sales. In North America, it supports automotive suppliers with OEM-focused supply-chain solutions including warehousing, sequencing, quality control and pre-assembly.
www.star-cooperation.comProject Manager - Government Projects & Trade Missions Consulting Services
+1 (404) 586-6824 jballasch@gaccsouth.com
