commerce germany OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF THE AMERICAN CHAMBER OF COMMERCE IN GERMANY October 2008 · VOL 6 · ISSUE 4 1 7,70
Full Speed Ahead: The Top 50 U.S. Companies in Germany
Quality of Life: Better Living with High-Tech Medical Equipment
Also in This Issue: Fun Festivities: AmCham Germany’s July 4 and Summer Celebrations
amcham viewpoint Top of the List: U.S. Companies Invest in Germany
he annual presentation of AmCham U.S. businesses also value the high fleshes out plans on how to Germany’s top companies in Germany with standards of university-level educa- accomplish this. TU.S. capital again shows Ford-Werke, Adam tion and nonuniversity research facil- Although the planned lowering Opel and ExxonMobil as the top-selling compa- ities in Germany. Other important of the minimum earnings level for nies. The top three companies alone account for factors include the close interaction highly qualified employees from out- nearly 30 percent of total sales of the top 50 between the private and public sec- side of the EU to 163,000 is companies (1172 billion) and more than 26 per- tor, an outstanding infrastructure progress, it is not sufficient. The cent of the total sales of the top 100 companies and Germany’s geographic position Netherlands, for example, has a min- (1192 billion) in this year’s ranking. in the heart of Europe. For trans- Dr. Jürgen W. Gromer imum earnings level of 145,000, More than 10,000 people work for each of forming knowledge into innovation, which allows foreign employees to the top 10 employers in the ranking. These 10 a decisive factor for U.S. investors is Germany’s receive an unrestricted residency permit right companies together employ more than 208,000 supply of well-qualified employees, who are val- away and is at a level far more appropriate to people in Germany or roughly 25 percent of all ued for their competence, professionalism and meeting the needs of our economy. jobs created by U.S. companies. Nearly every sec- goal orientation. In general, job-market restrictions keep qual- ond U.S. company in Germany hired new Companies investing in Germany may, how- ified workers away. Employees want calculable employees over the last 12 months, surpassing ever, soon face the challenge of finding enough employment prospects with legal working rela- even their own forecasts from early 2007. Most skilled employees to fill their current and future tionships, and companies want to ensure a com- of the new jobs were in marketing and sales, but positions. To encourage relocation of highly petitive future in Germany. some were also in R&D – another area in which skilled employees from non-EU countries, the U.S. companies plan to invest more. German Federal Government submitted a draft Dr. Jürgen W. Gromer U.S. companies consider Germany a good or of the Job Migration Governance Act (Arbeits- Member of the Board even very good location for their R&D activities. migrationssteuerungsgesetz) in August, which Tyco Electronics Ltd.
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page 6 page 14 page 18 Strong Performance Alive and Kicking Fun in the Summer Sun
AmCham Germany presents its annual survey Technological innovation plays a leading role AmCham Germany chapters across the country of the top 50 companies in Germany with U.S. for the medical-technology industry. The latest celebrated Independence Day and the golden parentage. Executives from the leading firms in high-tech advancements can improve and days of summer with a host of summer events. tell commerce germany what strategies they save people’s lives. Three AmCham Germany From family barbecues, elegant evening affairs employed to remain on top and how they member companies in this industry reveal to to military flag ceremonies: members observed attract and retain skilled employees to continue commerce germany how their products can the summer season in style. their companies’ success. improve everyone’s quality of life.
member point of view top-level meetings policy issues