Transatlantic Cluster Initiative

The initiative connected German and American cluster organizations through targeted events in the US and Germany. It established an exchange for best practices focused on cluster management, internationalization, skilled workforce recruitment, technological development, and much more.

The continual growth of industry clusters in both the US and the EU has contributed to a dynamic transatlantic economic landscape. To help further this transatlantic trade, investment and innovation collaboration, GACC Midwest organized the Transatlantic Cluster Initiative. The initiative connected leading German and US industry clusters to promote knowledge exchange through specialized, content-driven events. It was supported by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy through the European Recovery Program.

Past Programs

Lightweighting

GACC Midwest brought together lightweight experts from both sides of the Atlantic to share knowledge and discuss opportunities for cooperation.
Ten US lightweight professionals joined the delegation trip to Germany, exploring cutting-edge manufacturing innovations and gaining insights into the lightweight research landscape in Germany.
Germany and the US discussed challenges such as recycling of carbon composites, production costs of lightweight materials, and energy demand for producing lightweight goods.

Food Processing

Smart manufacturing technologies are driving the food and beverage sector to take steps to maximize its production and processing capabilities.
Check out the Food Processing Roadshow, which saw German industry experts tour state of the art facilities in Springfield, OH, St. Louis, MO, and Minneapolis, MN.
Representatives from US businesses were also able to visit key players in Bielefeld, Quackenbrück, Berlin, and Brandenburg on the Food Processing Delegation.

E-Mobility

The German government has been providing over €1.5 billion for research and development in this field since 2009. Furthermore, the demand for electrification of transportation both in the U.S. and Germany has increased.
See the Delegation trip covering E-Mobility, covering the German cities of Munich, Dresden, Chemnitz and Hannover

Industry 4.0

Industry 4.0 is the digitization of manufacturing, where big data, advanced analytics and the IoT are being leveraged to make production smarter, faster, more profitable, while growing competitive advantage
In May, the GACC Midwest Industry 4.0 trip brought select US delegates to three major cities in Germany: Frankfurt, Stuttgart and Hannover.

Healthcare and Medtech

The health care industry both in Germany and the United States are characterized by vibrant communities from disruptive start-ups to major corporations.
The medical device and technology markets have constant need for innovation which leads to an ever-changing landscape with ample opportunities especially in the fields of diagnostics and medical devices.
The Transatlantic Cluster Initiative brought US Health Care & MedTech professionals to Germany to learn from and exchange knowledge with key players in the industry, including business and research institutions.