Day 4: Governor Concludes Jobs Mission; Announces Another German Firm Bringing Jobs to Indiana

Press Release

Governor Mike Pence concluded his jobs and economic development mission to Germany today by announcing that another German company will locate operations in Indiana. This is the third German company the governor met with this week to choose Indiana for its latest investment.

"When selecting a location for growth, company executives often narrow down their choices based on what they know, so trips like this are designed to make sure they know Indiana," said Pence. "By meeting with key decision makers at German businesses and telling Indiana's story of a state that works, we keep Indiana top of mind and help Hoosiers find their way to the front of the line when U.S. job creation is considered."

The Governor began the last day of his job-hunting trip to Germany meeting with a company currently considering investing in the Hoosier State. He then received an economic briefing at the U.S. Embassy in Berlin and subsequently met with several other German government officials. He ended the day meeting with executives of DOT, a Rostock, Germany-based orthopedics company.

During his meeting with DOT, Hans Eifeler, the firm's managing director, shared with the Governor its decision to invest $4.5 million to establish DOT America in Columbia City, Ind., creating 20 new high-wage jobs. The medical coating technology provider cited Indiana's prominence as the global orthopedics capital and the state's welcoming business environment for foreign direct investment as reasons why Indiana was chosen as the home of its North American headquarters.

DOT's announcement comes after two other German companies also announced plans this week to bring more jobs to Indiana. Gelsenkirchen, Germany-based NORRES, an industrial hose manufacturer, announced plans earlier this week to invest $1.87 million to locate its first North American facility in South Bend, Ind., creating more than 30 new jobs. This announcement was followed by Jäger Group's decision to also add more than 50 new jobs at its subsidiary Jaeger-Unitek in La Porte, Ind.

"After traveling across Germany this week, I feel a rush of excitement for the future of Indiana," said Pence. "Germany appreciates the uniquely Hoosier talent of developing and building the products that drive growth and spark innovation. Our mission in Germany was targeted, but together our possibilities for this state are endless. I am energized as we return home, looking forward to continuing our mission of helping Indiana shine as a state that works for the industries of the world."

There are 110 German companies that operate in Indiana, which are responsible for the creation of 12,500 jobs within the Hoosier economy in recent years. Since 2005, the IEDC has secured projects with more than 30 Germany-based companies.

This week's trip marks the Governor's second jobs and economic development mission since taking office in January 2013. Last September, he led his inaugural job-hunting trip to Japan where he had more than 20 meetings with Japanese company executives and traveled to Tokyo, Tochigi Prefecture, Ota City and Nagoya.

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