Sonova, SAP, Bosch, Beckhoff, Viessmann, Siemens and PWO Group are among the largest companies in Europe. They’re also major players in Waterloo Region, investing hundreds of millions of dollars while creating thousands of jobs in our community.
When we think about Waterloo Region’s German heritage, it’s often Oktoberfest that comes to mind. Weber, Breithaupt and Kaufman are familiar names that we’ve become accustomed to seeing on historical buildings, street signs and parks.
However, it’s possible that festivals and history aren’t the most vibrant or impactful representations of our community’s connection to Germany.
“The deep German heritage of Waterloo Region is a well-known fact, but that heritage is far from just history, it’s animated by scores of amazing German companies anchored and growing in our community,” says Tony LaMantia, President & CEO of Waterloo EDC. “Our business community includes German giants like Bosch, Beckhoff Automation and PWO Group.”
It’s for just this reason that Waterloo EDC led an investment promotion mission to Germany, France and Switzerland featuring some of the region’s heavy hitters: the mayors of Waterloo, Kitchener and Cambridge and the Regional Chair.
“It makes a lot of sense to maintain our exceptionally strong ties to Germany to attract additional investments from companies that are already here, while making the Waterloo Region pitch to companies with needs that fit our community’s strengths,” says LaMantia.
Representatives from Waterloo Region meet with leaders at Bock, a German manufacturing company. From left to right: Bock executive board member Christian Bock, Waterloo EDC President & CEO Tony LaMantia, Cambridge Mayor Jan Liggett, City of Cambridge CAO David Calder, Bock executive board member Wolfgang Pohlmann.
Strengthening global ties
The mission included 15+ meetings with executives from some of the world’s largest manufacturing and automotive companies, including Bosch, Continental, Sonova, Viessmann, Siemens and Septodont.
The objective of these meetings was to express appreciation for existing investments, support future investments – including active opportunities – and reaffirm our community’s commitment to supporting a vibrant and advantageous business environment.
“This economic development mission was an opportunity to show our gratitude to those that have already invested in our community and to support future business investment that we know will continue to foster economic growth, expand local innovation, create a diverse job market and establish a foundation for sustained prosperity throughout the local communities within our region,” says Berry Vrbanovic, Mayor of Kitchener.
“The conversations we have been having during this mission continue to build on the strong foundation of Waterloo Region’s economic vibrancy,” Karen Redman, Chair, Region of Waterloo adds. “Establishing and reinforcing partnerships in key industries and in new communities are seeds that we plant for our future growth.”
In addition to company visits, the mission also included a networking reception organized with the Honourary Consul of Canada in Stuttgart, Thomas Reith, that included senior leaders in both government and business communities and a roundtable organized with Baden-Württemberg International that focused on artificial intelligence.
“Meeting with international leaders who choose to invest in Waterloo has invigorated me with excitement about our city’s potential,” says Dorothy McCabe, Mayor of Waterloo. “Our friends in Germany might be a ten-hour flight away, but we share the same spirit of innovation, especially in areas of AI and advanced manufacturing.”
Waterloo Mayor Dorothy McCabe (R) meets with Managing Director of HAHN International Lothar Rees (L).
" Our friends in Germany might be a ten-hour flight away, but we share the same spirit of innovation, especially in areas of AI and advanced manufacturing. "
Dorothy McCabe
Mayor of Waterloo
Investing in future growth
Missions like this help our community leaders connect with international businesses that are invested in our community and get a deeper understanding of their products and plans for the future.
“These missions are very valuable in the German market. In Germany, we place a lot of value and importance on community leaders, such as the Mayors and Regional Chair,” says Detlef Engler, Trade Commissioner and Senior Investment Counselor, Government of Canada.
“Their engagement and interest – to the point of visiting business leaders right here in Germany – is well-received and demonstrates the respect Waterloo Region has for its international investors. If more investment is to flow from Germany into Waterloo Region, it will be missions like these that make it possible.”
Representatives of Waterloo Region discuss artificial intelligence at an AI Symposium organized by Baden-Wurttemberg International in Stuttgart. Attendees included Waterloo EDC President & CEO Tony LaMantia, Kitchener Mayor Berry Vrbanovic and Waterloo Mayor Dorothy McCabe. A virtual presentation was delivered by University.
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