German projects boost Louisiana to top-tier FDI performance
Germany and Louisiana have a rich, shared economic and cultural history that stretches back more than 250 years. Since 2003, German companies have made over a dozen investments in Louisiana, making Germany one of the state's top sources for investment.
NOTABLE GERMAN INVESTMENT IN LOUISIANA
- BASF – Polyurethanes blending facility, $800 million capital investment
- Evonik Industries – Chemicals and plastics manufacturing facility, $104 million expansion
- MTU America, a Rolls-Royce Power Systems company – Sales and operations center for marine division, $15 million capital investment, 132 Louisiana jobs
- Mauser Group
In June 2017, Gov. John Bel Edwards and Mauser Group CEO Hans-Peter Schaefer announced Mauser will complete a $10 million capital investment in a new Louisiana packaging facility in Geismar, near its major industrial customers in Ascension Parish. Mauser USA LLC – part of the German global industrial packaging company, Mauser Group – will operate a 40,000-square-foot packaging and logistics facility. The project’s initial phase will create 28 new direct jobs with an average annual salary of more than $58,000, plus benefits. Louisiana Economic Development estimates the project will result in 47 new indirect jobs, for a total of 75 new jobs in the Capital Region and surrounding areas. Mauser USA’s initial project phase will support the packaging needs of chemical manufacturing customers in the Geismar area. The project has the potential to expand with a second phase that would yield 19 additional jobs, for a total of 47 new direct jobs.
“We’re excited to be investing in a new permanent facility in Louisiana that will deliver Mauser’s industry-leading packaging technology more efficiently to some of the world’s most important industrial manufacturers. The strong business climate, strategic supply chain and powerful workforce programs Louisiana offers made this decision a logical one for our company”
Glenn Frommer
President and CEO, Mauser USA
TRADE BETWEEN GERMANY AND LOUISIANA
EXPORTS TO GERMANY
|
| Agricultural Products |
$229.1 million |
| Chemicals |
$80.4 million |
| Minerals & Ores |
$44.3 million |
| Other |
$102 million |
Total
|
$455.9 million
|
IMPORTS FROM GERMANY
|
| Machinery |
$170.5 million |
| Chemicals |
$153.1 million |
| Computer & Electronic Products |
$64.5 million |
| Other |
$203.6 million |
Total
|
$591.7 million
|
LOUISIANA REPRESENTATION IN GERMANY
In April 2016, Louisiana Economic Development attended Hannover Messe, along with regional partners from the Baton Rouge Area Chamber (BRAC), Entergy, Greater New Orleans Inc., and NASA’s Michoud Assembly Facility. While there, the group hosted a seminar focused on the Louisiana Chemical Manufacturing Initiative.
Louisiana has a local representative, Geert Hovens, operating in Germany. If you would like to reach him, email geert.hovens@la.gov or call +31 478 50 81 65.
TRAVEL
Direct airline service between Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport (MSY) and Frankfurt, Germany via German airline Condor began in spring 2017.
CULTURAL TIES AND RESOURCES
Honorary Consul of Germany Susanne Veters
601 Poydras Street, Suite 1200
New Orleans, Louisiana 70130
Tel: 504.596.2822
sveters@mcglinchey.com
Established in 1928, the Deutsches Haus is a benevolent and social organization with a mission to celebrate and foster the rich culture, musical heritage, language and history of the German people. Learn more here.
The German-American Cultural Center (GACC) celebrates the important contributions to Louisiana history and culture made by Germans with exhibits, lectures, programs and other educational activities. Learn more here.
The German-Acadian Coast Historical and Genealogical Society (GACHGS) is a nonprofit dedicated to the preservation of the unique culture and history of Louisiana's German-Acadian Coast, which encompasses today's St. Charles, St. James and St. John the Baptist parishes. Learn more here.
Louisiana State University took part in a national initiative to promote German culture and language on college campuses. The initiative, Do Deutsch, was formed in September 2011 and coincided with a week-long visit from German university officials.