Kaiserslautern THE AMERICAN CITY IN GERMANY
The historic Fruchthalle
CONTENTS
FROM THE LORD MAYOR . ....................................................................................................... 3
MILITARY U.S. Kaiserslautern Military Community (KMC) ....................................................... 5 German American Community Office (GACO) . ......................................................... 8 21 st Theater Sustainment Command .............................................................................. 9 Theater Logistics Support Center—Europe . .......................................................... 10 U.S. Air Forces in Europe ...................................................................................................... 11 86th Airlift Wing .......................................................................................................................... 12 Landstuhl Regional Medical Center . ............................................................................ 13 Fisher Houses . ............................................................................................................................ 14 USO ..................................................................................................................................................... 15
BUSINESS Kaiserslautern U.S. Business Council ........................................................................... 17 Avid .................................................................................................................................................... 18 Coca-Cola . ...................................................................................................................................... 19 Corning . .......................................................................................................................................... 20 Deere & Company . ................................................................................................................... 21 General Dynamics ................................................................................................................... 22 Opel .................................................................................................................................................... 23 Ticona . ............................................................................................................................................. 24 TKS . ..................................................................................................................................................... 25 TRW Engineered Fasteners & Components . ............................................................ 26 TWK Technische Werke Kaiserslautern ...................................................................... 27
SCIENCE & EDUCATION The Science Alliance ................................................................................................................ 29 Fraunhofer IESE ......................................................................................................................... 30 University of Kaiserslautern .............................................................................................. 31 ACKNOWLEDGMENTS ............................................................................................................ 32
On the cover: Kaiserslautern City Hall atop historic ruins
Kaiserslautern — The American City in Germany
Sister Cities Kaiserslautern has a distinct identity in the international arena of sister cities. Ten cities in Bosnia-Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Denmark, England, France, Portugal, the USA and Japan are Kaiserslautern partners. Kaiserslautern’s sister cities in the United States are Columbia, South Carolina, and Davenport, Iowa.
Sabine Michels + 49-631-365-4332 Willy-Brandt-Platz 1 67657 Kaiserslautern sabine.michels@kaiserslautern.de www.kaiserslautern.de
FROM THE LORD MAYOR | 3
Our Friends… Across Europe, our city is known as Kaiserslautern, the historic territory so named by a Holy Roman Emperor, who loved the spring waters beneath the town. To the hundreds of thousands of Americans who have served with their armed forces here in greater Kaiserslautern, it is more commonly called by the familiar nickname, K-Town. Today, with the ever-expanding relationship between our city and the United States in business, culture and military affairs, we now have another identity, The American City in Germany. It is Kaiserslautern’s great honor to be home to the U.S. Kaiserslautern Military Community — the largest individual stationing of American military overseas. Last year, the KMC population of U.S. defense personnel and their family members numbered nearly 54,000. In matters of city business, German–American culture, and cooperation in programs of all levels with the Army and Air Force, we strive to be the finest host-nation city. We are quite proud of the successful GACO office, and the day-to-day role we play in its operation. We cooperate with the USO, and we always welcome U.S. soldiers and family members to our city. We constantly strive to do our best in dealing with any aspect of the American presence. The welcome and cooperation we always receive, be it from the military commanders in the KMC or at the Pentagon, or from House and Senate leaders in Washington, assures continued mutual respect. The role of business in any economy is critical. In Kaiserslautern, we continuously stress our unique role with the American community, as we work with several Fortune 500 companies, which surround the city. Over 8000 German residents are employed by U.S. companies in our region. These businesses are some of the finest corporate names in international commerce, such as General Dynamics, TRW, Opel, Corning, and Coca-Cola. Additionally, one of our proudest business achievements has recently come to fruition: The John Deere Co. has opened its European Technology Innovation Center (ETIC) here in the city. More than 200 new high-tech jobs are welcomed, and more are projected for the future. To provide for a greater working relationship with U.S. businesses, I have created a unique organization — the Kaiserslautern U.S. Business Council. The KUSBC consists of 10 companies owned by American parent companies, or extensively involved in American business exchange. It is our vision that, over the course of time, many other businesses with interests in the U.S. market will join us. Come…visit us…it will be my personal pleasure to welcome you.
Dr. Klaus Weichel Lord Mayor
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Kaiserslautern — The American City in Germany
MILITARY | 5
U.S. Kaiserslautern Military Community (KMC) For the hundreds of thousands of U.S. military personnel who have served in the Kaiserslautern area over the last six decades, “KMC” is short for the largest, single American military community overseas. Made up of defense personnel from the Army, Air Force, the Department of Defense and a host of other military organizations, the KMC is the focal point of military commands and headquarters operations that serve the mission of U.S. forces. In the latest statistics for KMC personnel, the total defense population had risen to nearly 54,000, the highest figure in the period since the Berlin Wall went down. The KMC surrounds the city of Kaiserslautern, better known as K-Town to Americans. Formally known as the U.S. Kaiserslautern Military Community, the variety of administrative services, military operations, medical programs, training and similar needs within the KMC is truly impressive. At Ramstein Air Base is located the headquarters for U.S. Air Forces in Europe (USAFE) — one of the largest commands of its type. Nearby is Landstuhl Regional Medical Center, a multipurpose hospital known around the world for its record of service to wounded American military personnel, family members, and associated individuals in need of treatment. In the east section of the city of Kaiserslautern can be found the headquarters of the 21 st Theater Sustainment Command, an 11,500-person contingent that provides critical sustainment support for Army forces deployed in many nations.
In Kaiserslautern–East is also located the Theater Logistics Support Center–Europe. Known for years by its installation name, Kaiserslautern Army Depot, the TLSC-E provides essential maintenance and logistics operations for military vehicles and equipment servicing American defense activities in several nations. Located 80 miles southwest of Frankfurt, not far from the French border, the geographic dimension of the KMC approaches that of the state of Rhode Island. Its regional annual economic impact in the German region is $1.9 billion. More than 6500 individuals, mostly German nationals, are employed by the U.S. military.
Barb Felden + 49-6371-952655 Building 2201 66877 Flugplatz Ramstein barb.felden@ramstein.af.mil www.ramstein.af.mil
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Kaiserslautern — The American City in Germany
Number and Classification of Personnel Assigned to the KMC Area 1. Active Duty U.S. Military
Living on Base
Living off Base
Total
2137
6582
8719
Army
882
2485
3367
Reserve/National Guard
154
277
Air Force
431 Total 12,517
2. Active Duty Dependents
Living on Base
Living off Base
Total
Air Force
2578
8823
11,401
Army
1282
4491
5773 Total 17,174
3. U.S. Civilians—Appropriated Funds General Schedule Federal Wage Board Other
2484 182 1617 Total 4283
4. U.S. Civilians—Non-appropriated Funds Non-Appropriated Funds
1910
Base Exchange (AAFES)
425
Other (Not Included Elsewhere)
913 Total 3248
5. U.S. Civilian Dependents
7877
6. Military Retirees (All Branches)
1305
7. Military Retiree Dependents
2283
8. Less Employees (Dep/Retirees/Mil) Counted Above
(1264) Total U.S. Personnel 47,423
9. Host Nation Employees Appropriated Funds
5509
Non-Appropriated Funds
456
Base Exchange (AAFES)
485
Banks and Credit Unions
40 Total 6490
Total KMC Population 53,913
MILITARY | 7
Total Annual Economic Impact
Estimated Annual Payroll Spent on Economy* Host Nation
$ 299,213,015
Military
$ 351,565,290
Military Retirees
$ 2 ,706,000
Federal Civilians
$ 1 20,608,753
Other Civilians
$ 32,901,720 Total $ 8 06,994,778
Annual Expenditures on Construction, Services, and Materials
$ 412,749,988
Estimated Annual Dollar Value of Jobs Created
$ 624,866,368
Grand Total $ 1 ,844,611,134
*The estimated annual payroll spent on the economy is the sum of 100% of host national payroll, 40% of U.S. civilian payroll, 100% of military retirement pay, 40% of military (living off base) payroll, and 15% of military (living on base) payroll.
The data in the tables does not include GSUs outside of the KMC area. Data provided by 86th Comptroller Squadron, Ramstein Air Base.
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Kaiserslautern — The American City in Germany
German American Community Office (GACO) For the American military person or civilian visitor, a German resident, or anyone else in need of assistance in dealing with the U.S. forces, the German–American Community Office is a unique and effective place to go. It is presumably the only facility of its kind in the world operating in the vicinity of U.S. military installations overseas. Located in one of City Hall’s satellite buildings in the heart of Kaiserslautern, the GACO office is easily accessible. Manned by staff from the Air Force’s 86th Airlift Wing, the Army’s Kaiserslautern Garrison and the city government itself, the GACO operates on the basis of a unique cost-sharing concept. Its purpose was manifested by the traditional needs of individuals requiring information or contact with military personnel within the sprawling military installations. GACO provides English and German speaking staff, available to serve walk-in visitors at a convenient downtown location. Their needs vary widely, and include information on host-nation policies and regulations, cultural organizations or military operations. They assist in obtaining information on visas or driver’s licenses, or perhaps administrative issues in dealing with the German authorities. Often it is a businessperson needing advice or information on proce-
dures for working with American military staff. GACO staff provides weekly newcomers’ orientations, enabling the smooth integration and acclimation of U.S. forces within German communities for their tour of duty. The GACO has been a huge success! Opened only a few years ago, it has provided assistance to more than 22,000 individuals.
Barb Felden + 49-631-363-3010 Lauter Str. 2 67657 Kaiserslautern info@gaco-kl.de www.gaco-kl.de
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The 21st Theater Sustainment Command
The 21 st TSC is one of the three pillars of the U.S. military presence in the greater Kaiserslautern area. With more than 11,500 soldiers and civilians, a team consisting of both Americans and local nationals, the 21 st TSC operates an extensive network of maintenance, repair, and support facilities and subordinate unit headquarters. Its operations and huge support mission are spread over three continents. The mission of the 21 st TSC is to provide logistics support for the U.S. European Command and the U.S. Africa Command. Its responsibilities include providing expeditionary command and control, combat support and combat sustainment support. Additional responsibilities include finance, human resources, civil affairs, and consequence management. The 21 st TSC’s three distinct capabilities are: a sustainment base, civil affairsconsequence management, and expeditionary support, providing at-location support to forward deployed European and Africa Command units. In a period of prolonged hostilities with multiple forward deployments, U.S. and coalition forces are involved in combat, peacekeeping and disaster relief efforts. At any one time, 40% of the 21st TSC’s personnel are deployed in Iraq and Afghanistan. Additional elements support operations in Kosovo and the Joint Task Force East in Bulgaria and Romania. As the configuration and capabilities of the 21 st TSC have expanded from its Cold War origins to current peace-keeping and antiterrorist activities, the Command prides
itself in its working relationships with local and regional communities in partnership with German organizations at the state and local government levels, and with public administration in business and education. The 21 st TSC has improved coordination, planning and command and control by colocating the headquarters of the 21 st TSC, the 7th Civil Support Command, the 405th Army Field Support Brigade, 409th Contracting Support Command, Theater Logistics Support Center–Europe, HRSC-E and the 266th FMC — all in the Kaiserslautern area. The 21 st TSC’s multi-faceted operations are run from headquarters in the Panzer Kaserne in the Kaiserslautern East military section of the city. A major part of its operations includes the 21 st Theater Logistics Support Center–Europe, headquartered at what has been traditionally called by it’s installation name, Kaiserslautern Army Depot.
Brigitte Bénézet + 49-631-413-8228 Postfach 1207 67602 Kaiserslautern brigitte.benezet@eur.army.mil www.21tsc.army.mil
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Kaiserslautern — The American City in Germany
Theater Logistics Support Center–Europe
Better known for years as the Kaiserslautern Army Depot, the massive logistics sustainment operation is at the core of the Army’s 21 st Theater Sustainment Command which is based in Kaiserslautern. Theater Logistics Support Center–Europe serves the requirements for maintenance and repair of vehicular equipment, including tracked and wheeled vehicles, as well as trailers and power generation technology. It supports the U.S. Army in Europe with transportation, distribution and ammunition services. Its logistics function is critical to successful operation of the sprawling mission of its military parent, the 21 st . The sustaining unit carries out the rebuilding of components such as engines and transmissions. It operates the general supply support for Army–Europe, Air Force–Europe and U.S. embassies in Europe. The TLSC-E also maintains a hazardous material storage facility. The TLSC-E employs 1700 persons in the Kaiserslautern area, and another 600 at satellite operations in Mannheim, Vilseck and other Army installations in Germany.
Helmut Haufe + 49-631-414-3001 Postfach 3106 67619 Kaiserslautern helmut.haufe@us.army.mil www.21tsc.army.mil/tlsce/home.htm
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U.S. Air Forces in Europe Ramstein Air Base serves as headquarters for the U.S. Air Forces in Europe command. Formed nearly seven decades ago, it is the oldest continuously active Air Force major command, with over 42,000 active-duty, reserve, and civilian employees. While HQ USAFE is based at Ramstein, it has four additional main operating bases: RAF Lakenheath and RAF Mildenhall in the UK; Aviano, Italy; and Spangdahlem, Germany.
as the Soviet blockade which led to the Berlin Airlift, the Iraqi Invasion of Kuwait, and the ethnic crisis in the Balkans. Since the fall of the Berlin Wall, it has transitioned to an Air Expeditionary Force, with a mix of personnel and resources that can operate in multiple locations, simultaneously. The role of USAFE in Europe and Africa has expanded from combat to include humanitarian and peacekeeping operations.
As the air component for the U.S. European Command, USAFE directs air operations in a theater spanning three continents, covering more than eight million square miles, containing 51 independent states, and possessing one-eighth of the world’s population, and about one-fourth of the world’s Gross Domestic Product. In peacetime, USAFE trains and equips U.S. Air Force units pledged to the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO). USAFE’s air base infrastructure is indispensable for strategic projection of U.S. and NATO forces, supplies and medical evacuations. During the critical Cold War years, USAFE was a fight-in-place force postured for a large-scale conflict. USAFE played critical roles in major international incidents, such
Dick Motz + 49-6371-4818 Building 201 66877 Flugplatz Ramstein wolfgang.motz@ramstein.af.mil www.usafe.af.mil
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Kaiserslautern — The American City in Germany
86th Airlift Wing
C-130J Hercules aircraft
Headquartered at Ramstein Air Base, the 86th Airlift Wing is one of the largest in the entire Air Force. With more than 9000 military and Department of Defense personnel, it provides a full spectrum of airfield operations, superior base services and an exceptional quality of life for personnel throughout the Kaiserslautern Military Community. The 86th is made up of six groups with diverse responsibilities for such functions as flight operations, maintenance, support, civil engineering, logistics readiness and medical support. Its impressive air contingent consists of one C-40B, two C-20H’s, 10 C-21A’s, a C-37 and 14 C-130J’s. The operations group also leads two other units based in Europe, one at Morón Air Base, Spain, and a second at Chievres Air Base in Belgium. The mission of the 86th Mission Support Group includes overall security, communications, services and personnel requirements. The 86th Civil Engineer Group maintains the base’s buildings and infrastructure. The 86th Logistic Readiness Group provides training, planning, supply and transportation, all of which assure wing readiness. The commander of the 86th has responsibility for the administration of host-nation relations throughout the KMC, thus the basis for his or her colloquial job description, “The Military Mayor.”
Barb Felden + 49-6371-952655 Building 2201 66877 Flugplatz Ramstein barb.felden@ramstein.af.mil www.ramstein.af.mil
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Landstuhl Regional Medical Center The Army hospital at Landstuhl is the largest overseas American military medical facility, and perhaps the best known around the world. For over 50 years the facility has provided numerous types of medical care for wounded servicemen and complete family care for defense personnel. With a staff of over 3000 military personnel and civilians, Landstuhl hospital is responsible for primary and tertiary care, hospitalization and treatment for over 245,000 military personnel and family members, who are based within the U.S. European Command.
victims of the USS Cole terrorist attack in Yemen. Over 50,000 babies have been born at LRMC. The hospital is a regional landmark, situated high atop a hill in the historic city whose origins date back at least 600 years. In 1796 the city was occupied by French forces under Napoleon Bonaparte. After the Battle of Waterloo, it became the property of the Kingdom of Bavaria, whose capital city, Munich, was over 300 miles away in southeast Germany.
Often called “LRMC,� the hospital is the evacuation and treatment center for all injured American service members and civilians, as well as members of the coalition forces serving in Afghanistan, Iraq, Africa Command, Central Command and EUCOM. LRMC is a 149 bed facility. Its daily statistics have averaged 23 admissions, 33 surgical cases, 3 births, 1674 meals, and 1233 pharmacy products. Its fame has grown, in part, with its relief role in major international incidents in recent years. The facility treated more than 800 personnel deployed to Somalia, and also assisted with Bosnian refugees and
Marie Shaw + 49-6371-86-7181 Building 3792 66849 Landstuhl marie.shaw@amedd.army.mil www.healthcare.hqusareur.army.mil/landstuhl
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Kaiserslautern — The American City in Germany
Fisher Houses
For a wounded soldier undergoing treatment at Landstuhl Regional Medical Center, being up to 7000 miles away from home can be difficult. It was this basic need for family presence during treatment that led to the creation of a highly successful support program for military families — Fisher Houses. The Fisher Houses program became a major success in the states, prompting the first two overseas facilities to be built in the KMC, on the grounds of the medical center. Fisher Houses provide free-of-charge accommodations for family members who are visiting a wounded relative. At the Landstuhl family facilities, comfortable suites with private baths are provided, along with a large community kitchen offering food and beverages. Available for family convenience is a dining room, family room, laundry facilities — all of this within walking distance to the hospital. Since the opening of the first Fisher House in Landstuhl in 2001, nearly 9000 families have been assisted. These guests belong to Armed Forces being treated for injuries or sickness, while serving in Afghanistan, Pakistan or Iraq.
The Fisher House Foundation builds the houses, and then gifts them in perpetuity to the respective branches of military service, which then continue to own, operate, and maintain them. Many charitable groups and individuals provide significant support to the houses. These charitable contributions are used to enrich the quality of life of the families. In addition to monetary support, these groups provide volunteer time, which have totaled over 43,000 hours, to date.
Vivian L. Wilson + 49-6371-618-3311 Fisher Houses 66849 Landstuhl-Kirchberg vivian.wilson@amedd.army.mil www.fisherhouse-landstuhl.org
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USO The inspiration for the creation of USO began when President Franklin D. Roosevelt asked six relief organizations to establish an on-leave support organization for the U.S. Armed Forces. Thus was born a private, non-profit civilian organization, which works at all times in cooperation with the military community. The USO mission has been to lift the spirits of America’s military through innovative programs and services. The range of available assistance provided by USO includes free internet, e-mail and telephone access, television, reading and video gaming lounges. At most of the USO’s 145 centers worldwide, servicemen and women can get a sandwich or snack, while enjoying family rooms and other services provided by caring, professional staff and volunteers. Perhaps most famous of the USO’s activities are the international concerts by leading entertainment figures from around the world. In 2008, through the generosity of individuals and corporate donors, USO Kaiserslautern opened a $1.3 million USO Warrior Center to serve wounded warriors being treated at the Landstuhl Regional Medical Center.
Just as the U.S. Kaiserslautern Military Community grew to become the largest single overseas stationing of U.S. military personnel, the USO centers in the KMC are the largest centers of operation in the world. There are 18 centers in Germany, 6 of the them in greater Kaiserslautern, where USO headquarters for Europe has been established.
Walter D. Murren + 49-631-414-86311 Altes Forsthaus 2 67661 Kaiserslautern wmurren@uso.org www.uso.org
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Kaiserslautern — The American City in Germany
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Kaiserslautern U.S. Business Council At least 10 major U.S. businesses have operational centers in greater Kaiserslautern. Most of them are Fortune 500 companies. While our American military neighbors have characterized regional relations for decades, U.S. corporate operations in the region have become equally significant. Employing over 6000 persons, these facilities have developed products used in over 40 nations. In recognition of the growing American corporate presence, Lord Mayor Weichel has created the Kaiserslautern U.S. Business Council. It is designed to be a permanent forum for the relationship between city and business.
Andrea Oliver + 49-631-7107-287 Burgstr. 11 67659 Kaiserslautern andrea.oliver@twk-kl.de www.twk-kl.de
Michael Clark U.S. Liaison + 1-202-204-2500 1300 Pennsylvania Ave, NW Suite 700 Washington, DC 20004 hostnation@ktownusa.org
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Kaiserslautern — The American City in Germany
Avid Founded in 1987, Avid pioneered computerbased digital video editing. Acquisitions and organic product development led to Avid’s emergence as a global leader of digital audio and video solutions. With headquarters in Burlington, Massachusetts, Avid today has more than 2,100 employees worldwide.
Media Asset Management MAM platform. The process turns content into assets, simplifying immediate access to audiovisual content. The process enables the automation of workflow, allowing content owners to reuse, repurpose and resell content.
Avid´s innovative digital audio and video solutions continue to revolutionize the art of creative storytelling and have earned the company hundreds of awards, including two Oscars,® a Grammy,® and 12 Emmys.® Some of Avid’s most successful and pioneering solutions for media production, video and audio editing, asset management and storage include Media Composer,® Pro Tools,® Avid Unity,™ Interplay,® Oxygen 8, Sibelius® and Pinnacle Studio.™ At the Kaiserslautern site, Avid partially develops the Interplay® Media Asset Manager, a highly scalable and extensible Enterprise
Ramona Walter + 49-631-303-5200 Europaallee 10 67657 Kaiserslautern sekretariat@avid.com www.avid.com
BUSINESS | 19
Coca-Cola One of the world’s most venerated and established corporate brands is also the oldest U.S. run company in Kaiserslautern. Having set up its local operations decades ago, Coca-Cola has been part of the corporate presence for as long as anyone can remember. Coca-Cola–Kaiserslautern is a major distributing center that serves large parts of southwestern Germany, including the RheinlandPfalz and Saarland. It provides company products to schools, factories, businesses and other facilities. Its parent company, Coca-Cola Efrischungsgetränke AG, is the largest German beverage company. Headquartered in Berlin, it employs more than 11,000 persons countrywide, delivering annually to 550,000 restaurant customers and 95,000 more in retail. The company strives to maintain focus in four areas — not only in the market place and as an employer, but further as an environmentally responsible entity and a positive asset to the local community.
Thomas Kohlmorgen + 49-69-300-911-11 Sindlinger Weg 1 65835 Liederbach thomas.kohlmorgen@cceag.de www.coca-cola-gmbh.de
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Kaiserslautern — The American City in Germany
Corning Corning Incorporated is the world leader in specialty glass and ceramics. Drawing on more than 150 years of materials science and process engineering knowledge, Corning designs and produces keystone components that function within high-technology systems for consumer electronics, mobile emissions control, telecommunications and life sciences. Corning is a leader in innovative emissions control technologies for clean air. Working with customers around the world to help reduce air emissions. Corning–Kaiserslautern is one of five global locations manufacturing advanced ceramic components that form the core of pollution control systems for mobile and stationary applications. Ceramic substrates and diesel particulate filters are used in light-duty gasoline and diesel passenger cars and trucks, heavy-duty diesel trucks, farming equipment, and construction vehicles. Corning substrates are honeycomb-like structures with thousands of parallel channels. The channel walls provide the reaction surface for precious metal catalysts that convert noxious emissions into less harmful
gases and water vapor. The substrates are used at the core of catalytic converters to help reduce exhaust emissions from diesel and gasoline-powered engines. Corning filters are used in diesel-powered passenger cars, tractor trailers, buses, agriculture, and construction equipment. Diesel particulate filters remove soot, and reduce harmful gases from diesel emissions. Corning has been a global leader in emissions control solutions for more than thirty years.
Maria Kamin + 49-631-3525-0 Carl-Billand-Str. 1 67661 Kaiserslautern kaminm@corning.com www.corning.com
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Deere & Company
While Kaiserslautern is privileged to have several distinguished international corporations as part of its economic base, the city takes special pride in the decision of another major company to locate in the city. Deere & Company has established its European Technology Innovation Center (ETIC) in the unique PRE Park business development center, a short distance from two interstate connections.
building technology capabilities, along with strategic recruitment of professional staff. Likewise, several internationally famous research organizations based in Kaiserslautern, such as the Fraunhofer IESE Institute and the German Center for Artificial Intelligence (DFKI), both members of the Science Alliance, are cooperating in forming development goals for the new center.
The ETIC is employing 200 highly trained engineers. As part of Deere’s Global Technology Innovation Network, it will focus on developing and applying technological advances to serve customers across Europe and the CIS. The ETIC will host an Advanced Engineering and Advanced Marketing group, along with John Deere’s Europe-based Intelligent Solutions Group. In deciding to join the city’s significant international business sector, John Deere noted that Kaiserslautern provides an attractive environment, particularly with the presence of the highly specialized research and operations programs of the University of Kaiserslautern and related science institutes. The University is assisting John Deere with a base of operations for
Julia Kirchert + 49-631-36191-504 Strassburger Allee 3 67657 Kaiserslautern kirchertJulia@Johndeere.com www.deere.com
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Kaiserslautern — The American City in Germany
General Dynamics
A principal manufacturing component of one of the world’s largest defense contractors is headquartered in Kaiserslautern. General Dynamics European Land Systems– Germany is one of the leading manufacturers of mobile military bridge systems. As a major supplier to the U.S. Army and the U.S. Marine Corps it currently produces the Improved Ribbon Brigade (IRB) and the Rapidly Emplaced Bridge Systems (REBS) while providing field service support to U.S. forces overseas. GDELS-G products are in service with most NATO countries and other allied forces. Besides bridge systems, the company also produces the protected tactical vehicle EAGLE for the German Armed Forces in Afghanistan. GDELS-G company premises are located in the heart of Kaiserslautern and at nearby Sembach Industrial Park, a former U.S. Air Force base. The company operates its own
test and acceptance facility as well as a cross-country and a water test site. GDELS-G has been awarded a development contract for Phase 1 of a new Bridge Erection Boat for the U.S. Army. A U.S.-based partner company is participating.
Frank Schweitzer + 49-631-3616 252 Barbarossastr. 30 67655 Kaiserslautern info@dgels.de www.gdels.de
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Opel Opel operations in Kaiserslautern began in 1966, making it one of the senior U.S. run companies located in The American City in Germany. The Kaiserslautern plant produces body components, and manufacturers both diesel and gasoline engines. The facility is the center of component production for all Opel operations in Europe.
85 ultra-modern robots that have significantly advanced manufacturing. General Motors–Europe has awarded its Best in Quality citation to the Kaiserslautern center, and the General Motors Quality Benchmark designation for excellence in diesel and gasoline engine production.
The Kaiserslautern facility could be best described as a Supplier Park, since it is host to various automotive manufacturing operations, such as press parts and chassis components. The plant also produces body and suspension components, along with seat components and aluminum hoods. Opel employs 3250 employees in a facility that is 1.5 million square meters in size. Its daily average production figures are impressive: 250,000 press parts, 2000 front and rear corners, 700 engines, and a shipping volume of 380,000 parts per day. In 2008 the Opel production process was greatly enhanced with the introduction of
Unique production efficiency using robots
Nadja Henkel + 49-631-355-1652 Am Opelkreisel 67663 Kaiserslautern nadja.henkel@de.opel.com www.opel.de
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Kaiserslautern — The American City in Germany
Ticona
Ticona is a leading producer of long-fiberreinforced thermoplastics (LFT). The products are used for injection molding, extrusion, compression molding and blow molding applications. Components made from LFT’s are also used in the manufacture of tool housings, baggage racks, fan covers, structural parts for the automotive industry and many other products. The workforce of about 60 employees is located in the Kaiserslautern Industrial Area North. The company trades as Celstran GmbH and is a subsidiary of Celanese. Celanese is headquartered in Dallas, Texas. With 7,400 employees worldwide, the company is a global leader in the chemicals industry, providing products essential to everyday living.
Gregor Hens + 49-6301-32020-412 Marie-Curie-Strasse 10 67661 Kaiserslautern gregor.hens@ticona.de www.ticona.de
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TKS TKS Telepost Kabel-Service provides telecommunications services to all U.S. military installations in Germany. With over 70,000 customers, TKS’s wide variety of services include fixed-network telephone, internet, wireless and voice data, equipment and accessories. The company operates TKS cable television and movie channel. It delivers AFN, the DOD worldwide network for English language television and radio, to military customers. TKS retail stores operate on all U.S. military installations in Germany, and are staffed by English and German speaking personnel. The TKS services apparatus provides for convenient access to defense personnel by offering expedited hook up, paying invoices, and product sales. TKS is recognized by Europe military commander and defense officials in Washington for its significant support and cooperation with the USO. The company donated com-
plete, renovated communications facilities to the USO Warrior Center at Landstuhl hospital. TKS has provided an Xbox gaming room, a state-of-the-art cyber cafĂŠ, internet accessing and video teleconferencing. TKS company headquarters are located near the Einsiedlerhof installation facilities.
Karlheinz Korz + 49-631-3522-300 Altes Forsthaus 2 67661 Kaiserslautern karlheinz.korz@kabeldeutschland.de www.tkscable.com
1 | |MILITARY 26 BUSINESS
Kaiserslautern Kaiserslautern — — The The American American City in Germany
TRW Engineered Fasteners & Components One of the oldest U.S. businesses with operations in the Kaiserslautern region, TRW Engineered Fasteners & Components is part of TRW Automotive, which itself is among the world’s largest manufacturers of auto parts.
creating greater energy efficiency, and an increased standard of product quality. Products manufactured at the TRW Enkenbach plant are shipped to more than 40 different nations, including the U.S..
The plant in Enkenbach, headquarters of TRW EF&C, was established in 1968 as a plastic processing company. It now has 350 staff members. Its annual turnover averages $100 million. The TRW facility supports all well-known automobile manufacturers and their suppliers. Principal among its products are plastic solutions for specific applications, cable fasteners, clips and high quality modules. The company produces 2.4 billion parts per year. They are manufactured on more than 85 injection-molding machines. In recent years, the manufacturing process has focused on
Petra Heidrich + 49-6303-805-314 Am Pulverhäuschen 7 67677 Enkenbach-Alsenborn petra.heidrich@trw.com www.trw.de
BUSINESS MILITARY| |27 2
TWK Technische Werke Kaiserslautern
Owned and operated by the City of Kaiserslautern, TWK is the primary provider of public utilities services and local public transportation in the Kaiserslautern region. The company delivers furnished heat, water, gas and electricity to more than 65,000 households and to all Army and Air Force installations within the city. TWK began its 120 year history by producing electricity in the city of Kaiserslautern. It would over the years develop an extended network of drinking water distribution, and later district heat for use in homes and businesses. The most recent corporate service expansion is in the area of natural gas. The company operates the municipal bus system which serves all areas of the town, including the surrounding areas of U.S. installations. While utility and transportation operations are the core TWK business, its long running working relationships with the American military was the inspiration for development of numerous unique initiatives designed to enhance host-nation relations. TWK provides major support to the city of Kaiserslautern in its international affairs program areas; most of all in its widely recognized working partnerships in promoting the American military presence. TWK has been in the forefront of German utilities in introducing modern environmental measures which typically surpass federal and regional air emissions standards. A major contribution in developing the green
standard that surrounds TWK operations came about with the significant increase in services to the U.S. military facilities and housing complexes, particularly in the last decade. The company has been a leader in pioneering the use of regenerative energies and environmentally friendly energy production. More than 10 percent of TWK’s electricity supply is created from renewable sources such as solar heat and power, geothermal, biomass energy, and cogeneration. TWK continuously undertakes numerous activities, sponsorships, community ventures, and civic efforts designed to create greater appreciation of both the mission of the U.S. Armed Forces and the importance of their role in the greater Kaiserslautern area.
Andrea Oliver + 49-631-7107-287 Burgstr. 11 67659 Kaiserslautern andrea.oliver@twk-kl.de www.twk-kl.de
1 | |MILITARY 28 SCIENCE & EDUCATION
Kaiserslautern Kaiserslautern — — The The American American City in Germany
SCIENCE & EDUCATION MILITARY| |292
The Science Alliance The transformation of basic research into marketable solutions is one of many innovative developments undertaken by The Science Alliance. A coalition of nine internationally renowned research facilities based in Kaiserslautern, the organization is largely the outgrowth of years of advancement in technology, research and IT discipline at the University of Kaiserslautern. Just over 40 years old, the University has put Kaiserslautern on the international map for accomplishments with practical application to the needs of education, industry and society in general. Now the institutes which it has created or inspired have joined together to address the international challenges that confront much of the world research. The prolific work of the Alliance in recent years has further enhanced the city’s emerging reputation as a leading location for study, research and technology. The Alliance continuously promotes Kaiserslautern as a regional, national and international center for innovation. The Commercial Vehicle Cluster developed by the Fraunhofer Institutes demonstrates how researchers, producers and distributors work together to improve software controlled development, planning and the production process of the commercial vehicle industry.
the Fraunhofer Institute for Experimental Software Engineering. Their pilot project, called SMART HOME, has benefited from the geographic proximity of the two partners in the project. The principle of greater selfdetermination in life for seniors is a prime goal of this program. The highly successful commitment of the institutes in the Science Alliance has shaped the modern landscape of Kaiserslautern. The “Science Mile” showcases an impressive array of institute buildings, including the Fraunhofer Institutes, the Institute for Surface and Layer Analysis, the German Research Center for Artificial Intelligence and others. On the same site, one of Germany’s greatest research organizations, the Max Planck Institute for Software Systems, has established its profile with a new center.
A newly developed concept that has created innovative opportunities involves the Bau AG Kaiserslautern, a non-profit housing organization, working together with
Stefan Zinsmeister + 49-631-205-75175 P.O. Box 3049 67653 Kaiserslautern stefan.zinsmeister@science-alliance.de www.science-alliance.de
The Science Alliance Kaiserslautern e.V.
University of Kaiserslautern – TU
Institute for Composite Materials – IVW
Max Plank Institute for Software Systems – MP
Fraunhofer Institute for Experimental Software Engineering – IESE
Fraunhofer Institute for Technology and Business Mathematics – ITWM
German Research Center for Artificial Intelligence – DFKI
Institute of Biotechnology and Drug Research – IBWF
Institute for Surface and Layer Analysis – IFOS
Institute for Technology and Work – ITA
30 | SCIENCE & EDUCATION
Kaiserslautern — The American City in Germany
Fraunhofer IESE Software is a part of our lives. Embedded into everyday equipment, into living and working environments or modern means of transportation, countless processors and controllers make our lives simpler, safer, and more pleasant. Fraunhofer IESE helps organizations to develop software systems that are reliable in every aspect, and provides empirical proof of the necessary processes, methods, and techniques, emphasizing engineering-style principles such as measurability and transparency. Fraunhofer IESE is one of the worldwide leading research institutes in the area of software and systems development. A major portion of the products offered by the Institute’s collaboration partners is defined by software. These products range from automotive and transportation systems via automation and plant engineering, information systems, health care and medical systems to software systems for the public sector. Fraunhofer IESE’s solutions allow flexible scaling, making it a competent technology
partner for organizations of any size — from small companies to major corporations. Under the leadership of Prof. Dieter Rombach and Prof. Peter Liggesmeyer, the past decade has seen the Institute making major contributions to strengthening the emerging IT location that is Kaiserslautern. The Fraunhofer Information and Communication Technology Group is cooperating with other Fraunhofer institutes in developing trendsetting key technologies for the future.
Yvonne Ortiz Guadalupe + 49-631-6800-1002 Fraunhofer-Platz 1 67663 Kaiserslautern yvonne.ortiz@iese.fraunhofer.de www.iese.fraunhofer.de
SCIENCE & EDUCATION | 31
University of Kaiserslautern
In the short time since its founding four decades ago, the University of Kaiserslautern has emerged as an internationally recognized educational center with excellence in technology and affiliated fields. The educational center has 10 departments, offering 95 courses, with an enrollment of 12,200 students. Students from 90 nations attend the university, providing 15 percent of its population. The school’s campus, a one-hour drive from Frankfurt in southwest Germany, is located adjacent to the world famous UNESCO Biosphere Reserve. It is at the middle of an internationally known scientific and educational cluster of institutes focusing on software development, IT research, applied sciences and other disciplines. Kaiserslautern is recognized as one of the largest IT clusters in all of Europe. The university is renowned for excellence in research and higher education. In the German government’s Excellence in Higher Education competition, the school was recognized as one of the six leading universities in Germany. Subsequently the university achieved distinction for winning two leading awards. It was selected in cooperation
with its team partners as one of five world class research clusters, by the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research. The University of Kaiserslautern is home to two State Research Centers, as well as for the Center for Optics and Material Sciences. The institution is a leading member of Science Alliance Kaiserslautern, a consortium of nine high profile research institutes designed to form integrated research environment on and off campus. The university offers several English language masters programs, along with doctoral research and thesis programs.
Thomas Jung + 49-631-205-2049 Postfach 3049 67653 Kaiserslautern thjung@verw.uni-kl.de www.uni-kl.de
Acknowledgments
CITY OF KAISERSLAUTERN
CORPORATE
Lord Mayor Dr. Klaus Weichel
Avid Ramona Walter
U.S. ARMED FORCES U.S. Air Forces in Europe Dick Motz 86th Airlift Wing Barbara Felden Claudia Beavers 21 st Theater Sustainment Command Brigitte Bénézet Theater Logistics Support Center – Europe Helmut Haufe Landstuhl Regional Medical Center Marie Shaw Fisher Houses Vivian L. Wilson USO Walter Murren
Corning Maria Kamin Norma Eymanns Deere & Company Dr. Thomas Engel General Dynamics Frank Schweitzer Opel Andreas Kroemer Christine Taylor Ticona Jens Kurth TKS Tina Lillicotch TRW Engineered Fasteners & Components Petra Heidrich TWK Technische Werke Kaiserslautern Andrea Oliver
SCIENCE & EDUCATION
EXECUTIVE PRODUCTION
Fraunhofer IESE Yvonne Ortiz Guadalupe
Surmont, LLC Michael Clark Carlos Gomez Col. Keith Martin (U.S. Army – Ret.) Ari Stern
University of Kaiserslautern Thomas Jung
TRANSLATIONS ProLingo Stefan Brechtel
DESIGN John Clark Design www.johnclarkdesign.com
For more information, please visit www.kaiserslautern.de A digital version of this publication can be viewed online at www.ktownusa.org
KAISERSLAUTERN CITY Dr. Klaus Weichel Lord Mayor Rathaus (City Hall) Willy-Brandt-Platz 1 67657 Kaiserslautern
GERMANY CONTACT Andrea Oliver Director U.S. Business Burgstr. 11 67659 Kaiserslautern Phone + 49-631-7107-287 hostnation@twk-kl.de
U.S. LIAISON Michael Clark U.S. Representative 1300 Pennsylvania Ave, NW Suite 700 Washington, DC 20004 Phone + 1-202-204-2500 hostnation@ktownusa.org