ERFURT – The USA has been Thuringia's most important export market for years, with over ten percent of Thuringia's total exports recently finding buyers there. At the same time, US companies, with their involvement in Thuringia, are among the most significant foreign investors in the state. Since this month, the Free State of Thuringia has also been represented in the USA with a branch office: LEG recently opened an office in Chicago. This is a result of the delegation trip to the United States led by Minister-President Mario Voigt in May of this year. The branch office will both establish and strengthen connections between Thuringian companies and the USA, as well as attract US investors to Thuringia as a business location. In a competitive bidding process, the experienced consulting firm Lotus FDI, which has offices in five countries in North America and Europe, prevailed over several other applicants. Specifically, Shannon Lynch (Founder & Managing Partner, LotusFDI) and Daniel Feldkamp (Vice President, Market Entry, LotusFDI) are now working at the branch office as LEG's international representatives.
“The USA is our most important export market – the foreign office in Chicago is intended to help us further expand our presence,” said Thuringia’s Minister of Economic Affairs, Colette Boos-John. The primary focus is on Thuringian small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), which can receive support in market development as well as in necessary certification and approval processes, for example in plant engineering or the pharmaceutical sector. Conversely, the state government is also aiming to attract investors to Thuringia. “Our Thuringia office is the central investment guide for US companies that are considering doing business in the heart of Germany and Europe,” the minister added.
Based in the Chicago metropolitan area, Shannon Lynch has over ten years of experience in international investment promotion, global training programs, and personnel and skills development. She has advised regional and national economic development agencies in North America and Europe, successfully implementing strategies for attracting investors, building partnerships, and strengthening regional competitiveness. Shannon Lynch will primarily focus on attracting US investors to Thuringia.
Also based in the Chicago metropolitan area, Daniel Feldkamp has more than fifteen years of experience in transatlantic business development, technology transfer, and advanced manufacturing strategies. He supports European SMEs and regional economic development agencies in site selection, partner identification, and successful expansion in the US market – something he will also do specifically for Thuringian companies in the future.
“We are delighted to represent Thuringia in the Midwest and on the East Coast of the United States, thereby supporting the Free State’s dual mission: attracting new investments to Thuringia and assisting Thuringian companies in establishing and growing in the US market,” said the two foreign affairs officers. “Thuringia’s strengths in high technology, pharmaceuticals and medical technology, applied research, mobility, and modern manufacturing align perfectly with current US economic policy priorities. These fields are central to national efforts to strengthen innovation and resilient supply chains. Our goal is to showcase these competencies to American investors and, at the same time, build a practical bridge for Thuringian companies to their first partners, customers, and sales channels in the US.”
LEG now operates eight foreign offices worldwide, including the USA, China, Vietnam, India, Israel, Central Asia, Brazil and southern Africa.
“Especially in the current highly volatile global market situation, our offices create direct connections to key markets for the Thuringian economy,” says LEG Managing Director Andreas Krey. “All our international representatives also provide us with directly applicable market information that we can use as a basis for our international activities. We are pleased to now have competent representatives in the USA as well, with Shannon Lynch and Daniel Feldkamp.”
