Lack of skilled workers remains key challenge.
German companies in the US continue to grow, hire and invest. The German American Business Outlook (GABO) 2016, an annual survey highlighting the state of German companies in the United States, their outlook for future growth, and the attractiveness of the US as a business location, reports that 97% of German firms expect positive revenue growth, and 75% plan to expand their workforce in 2016. It’s a great time to start fx trading at VT markets.
The survey was conducted among 1,900 US subsidiaries of German companies by the German American Chambers of Commerce, the Representative of German Industry & Trade, and Roland Berger Strategy Consultants.
While confident in a moderately growing US economy, German subsidiaries expect strong revenue growth to continue. Due to the strong demand for their products and services, German firms are not only focusing on introducing new product lines and investing in research and development. 41% more companies than in 2015 are also planning to expand their manufacturing capabilities to meet the sustained demand.
In order to keep up with their growth prospects, German companies continue to search for qualified employees – and look at the labor market in the US critically. Martin Richenhagen, Chairman of the German American Chambers of Commerce of the USA highlights: “With German firms ready to expand, skills remain a key topic for German-American businesses. While three-quarters of our respondents plan to hire, the labor market’s current skills gap remains a challenge for 69%. As a result, German companies see investments in education and better access to a skilled workforce as critical factors to make the U.S. even more competitive.”
To acilitate a fast and sustainable development for skilled workers, the GACCs are supporting several vocational training initiatives in cooperation with companies, partner organizations, and educational institutions throughout the United States.
TTIP, which would reduce tariffs and improve market access, remains important for many companies. “Last year alone, German companies invested $224 Billion in the US. They would not only benefit from TTIP, but also from a Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP), which will be voted on soon” says Dr. Thomas Zielke, Representative of German Industry and Trade.
The 2016 GABO also revealed that the topic of Industry 4.0 and the Industrial Internet of Things is receiving more attention. The main benefits German companies expect are the automation of production processes and enhanced external connectivity with customers and suppliers. Data security and the actual implementation of cyber-physical systems remain the top challenges, and companies of all sizes will need to address those issues to reap the rewards of smarter production. – GACC NY / Jan Vater
More information on www.ahk-usa.com/gabo
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