German Enery Delegation Attends Aerzen USA Conference
In an effort to help German business owners, the Minister of the Environment of the German state of Lower Saxony formed a delegation to travel to the USA and tour several companies. Aerzen USA, a subsidiary company of a German machinery manufacturer located in Lower Saxony, was chosen due to its success in the USA market and strong environmental approach to conducting business
Coatesville, Pennsylvania - In an effort to help German business owners, the Minister of the Environment of the German state of Lower Saxony formed a delegation to travel to the USA and tour several companies. Aerzen USA, a subsidiary company of a German machinery manufacturer located in Lower Saxony, was chosen due to its success in the USA market and strong environmental approach to conducting business. The delegation consisted of more than twenty German state officials for environmental affairs, business owners and financial consultants.
The conference was led by Aerzen USA's president, Pierre Noack. "It is our goal to be an example of an environmentally focused company and to educate anyone looking to become sustainable both in business and in their impact on the environment." stated Noack in his opening comments to the delegation. Mr. Noack then took the group through several of the directives and guiding principles that underpin the business approach at Aerzen USA.
These included:
oImproving working conditions, communications and boosting creativity
oImproving work efficiency and the relationships among staff members
oProviding an atmosphere of openness
oA focus on being environmentally and social responsible
A key philosophy that the company uses to make decisions is the "Triple Bottom Line" approach. Noack explains to the delegation, "When we make decisions we look at three things, People, Planet & Profits. We must do what is necessary to encourage and engage employees; to stay on the environmentally sound path for the planet and keep our business in a profitable position. This is not always an easy combination, however just by being aware of these factors, opens minds and challenges individuals to seek this balance."
Part of the presentation included a tour of the company's LEED Gold Certified Green Building. The building's design and implementation have resulted in over 50% energy reduction for the company while providing excellent working conditions.
Noack continued with insights on how Aerzen USA approached the American market with German products. Starting with the company's inception in 1983 up to the present day and highlighted the differences in doing business in America versus Germany.
"We touched on everything from perceptions of work ethics to strategic location of your business in the USA." Noack explains "It is a refreshing reminder of how hard it can be to launch a company in a different country and culture, but also how rewarding it is to see it flourish and grow."
The delegation remained on-site for approximately two hours then departed for Texas to travel on to a Naval shipyard for a tour.
Delegates included:
Mr. Hans-Heinrich Sander, Minister Nds. Ministerium für Umwelt und Klimaschutz
Mr. Wolfgang Fritsch Prokurist, East-West Textilrecycling Kursun GmbH
Senator Zeki Kursun, CEO, East-West Textilrecycling Kursun GmbH
Mr. Gerd-Dieter Sieverding, Chairman, Remmers AG
Prof. Dr. Stefanie Heiden, CEO, AiF e. V.
Mr. ArendtMeyer zu Wehdel, President, Landwirtschaftskammer Niedersachsen
Mr. Rolf Schneider, President, Handwerkskammer Braunschweig-Lüneburg-Stade
Mr. Peter Eisenschmidt, Project leader, Internationalizationhannoverimpuls GmbH
Dr. Sabine Johannsen, Boardmember, NBank Investitions- und Förderbank Niedersachsen
Dr. Jürgen Achilles, CEO, Schaumglas Global Consulting GmbH
Dr. Wolfgang Dierker, Head governmental relations, GE General Electric International
Dipl.-Ing. (FH) Yil Wolf Ohlendorf, CEO, Ohlendorf-Technik GmbH & Co. KG
Mrs. Heide Sander, N.N
.
Dr. Daniel Gelmke, Head of division environmental policy, Nds. Ministerium für Umwelt und Klimaschutz
Mrs. Bianca Polacek, Foreign Trade, EU NGlobal
Mr. Stafan Peikert, CEO, AHP GmbH & Co. KG
Mrs. Friederike Sudholt, Consultant, AHP GmbH & Co. KG
Dr. Gero Hocker, Speaker environmental policy, FDP-Fraktion Im Niedersächsischen Landtag
Dr. Roland Zielke, Deputy Chairman of parliamentary group, FDP-Fraktion Im Niedersächsischen Landtag
Mr. Detlef Tanke, Speaker environmental energy, SPD Fraktion im Niedersächsischer Landtag
About Aerzen USA
Aerzen USA is a wholly-owned subsidiary of the German manufacturer, Aerzener Maschinenfabrik GmbH, and has been a recognized world leader in the production of rotary positive displacement blowers and compressors since 1868. Aerzen USA is based in Coatesville, PA and holds certificates for ISO 9001: 2002 and 14001: 2004. For more information, visit www.aerzenusa.com
