DiplomacySport
About the Wilo Group
The Wilo Group is a multinational technology group and one of the world’s leading premium suppliers of pumps and pump systems for building services, water management and the industrial sector. Over the last decade the company moved from a hidden to a visible and connected champion. Wilo currently employs around 9,000 people around the globe. With innovative solutions, smart products and individual services, Wilo makes water move using intelligent, efficient and eco-friendly techniques.
The headquarters in Dortmund, called the Wilopark, was inaugurated in 2021 and the modern, innovative and sustainable centre consists of a Smart Factory and several, cube-like office buildings. Wilo owns an EcoVadis rating of “platinum”.
Thanks to the “region-for-region” approach, Wilo is operating worldwide and can therefore care for regional or local customer needs very efficiently with regionally or locally manufactured products. The Wilo Group produces its pumps and pump systems at 16 main production sites in Europe, Asia and North America. In addition to the corporate headquarters in Dortmund, Wilo opened its only other regional headquarters in Cedarburg, Wisconsin, USA, in 2022.
The US headquarters in Cedarburg, Wisconsin, was inaugurated 2022 and serves as a hub for the Americas region.
Wilo USA
Wilo has been active in the North American market for more than 20 years. In 2022, the regional headquarters in Cedarburg, Wisconsin, was inaugurated, where Wilo USA’s activities are concentrated. Other sites include Collierville, Tennessee, and Sandfort, Florida. With around 500 employees and recent sales growth of 20 per cent, Wilo has long exemplified best practice in the German-American business community.
The current production facility for American-Marsh Pumps, a Wilo Company, in Collierville, Tennessee
Green Deal & IRA commitment
The Green Deal in Germany and Europe and the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) in the US represent significant challenges on both sides of the Atlantic. With its technology portfolio, Wilo makes a crucial contribution to achieving global sustainability goals. It is not just about doing business with transatlantic partners, but about promoting sustainability, creating synergies and combating pressing issues such as energy shortages, water shortages, and climate change. The company supports these initiatives and encourages partners worldwide to join the fight for a green future, thus becoming a key partner in achieving the global agenda on both sides of the Atlantic.
NRW & Milwaukee
Although separated by over 4,000 miles, the cities of Dortmund and Milwaukee are not so different from one another and share a lot in common.
Both cities have a similar population size, with Dortmund having around 600,000 residents and Milwaukee having a population in the same range, though Milwaukee’s metropolitan area is larger. Dortmund is historically known for its coal, steel, and beer industries and Milwaukee shares this strong industrial heritage, particularly known for its brewing industry. Moreover, both cities have experienced significant economic transitions from their traditional industrial bases to more diversified economies. Dortmund has moved towards technology and services, while Milwaukee has also diversified, focusing on industries like healthcare and finance.
What is really special about both cities is their devotion, love, and loyalty for their sports teams. With championship winning teams in both cities and some of the most iconic venues in sports, Milwaukee and Dortmund share a sporting culture that is second to none.
Milwaukee and Dortmund are also both river cities. Milwaukee is located on the Milwaukee River, while Dortmund is near the Ruhr River. These rivers have both played significant roles in the development and history of the respective cities, influencing trade, industry, and culture. Therefore, it is part of the Wilo DNA to protect water resources and local eco systems to ensure clean water supply for their communities.
NRW USA Perfect Match year 2023-2024
Throughout the NRW USA year 2023/2024, Wilo has taken part in numerous events. “In times of unbridled protectionism, politics and business are under particular pressure. Multilateral structures and processes are and remain essential for efficient and sensible economic and social action around the world”, explains Oliver Hermes, President & CEO of the Wilo Group. “The Wilo Group maintains strong transatlantic relations and will step these up in the future. The NRW-USA year is a good opportunity to celebrate and strengthen these relationships.”
Wilo’s US activities
The Wilo Group participated in several events over the last months that contributed to the transatlantic exchange. After joining the kick off of the NRW USA year, Wilo joined soccer club Borussia Dortmund during their US tour. A special highlight was the visit from BVB legend Roman Weidenfeller at the Cedarburg facility. Together with representatives from the Wilo family and members of the GACC Midwest, he discussed the vital essence of transatlantic partnership and collaboration.
Roman Weidenfeller (3rd from the right) together with Wilo employees and soccer officials at a soccer clinic in Chicago, June 2023
In the beginning of this year, a big delegation, including not only members from the Executive Board and Supervisory Board but also from the production team, visited the location in Cedarburg. Along with members from the Wilo organizations in Latin Americas and Canada, the delegation enjoyed strategic discussions on sustainability initiatives and the teams reaffirmed their dedication to making a difference in the communities they serve.
Members of the Executive Board and Supervisory Board with the Management Team from North America and Latin America
Employees from the Smart Factory in Dortmund exchange with their colleagues in the Cedarburg manufacturing facility
Another highlight was the first visit at the Wilopark from Pauline Kao, Consul General for North Rhine-Westphalia at the U.S. Consulate General in Düsseldorf. She exchanged views with Wilo Group President & CEO Oliver Hermes on current issues regarding transatlantic relations and learned about the technology group’s pioneering role in the areas of sustainable and smart industrial processes.
Oliver Hermes, President & CEO Wilo Group, meets H.E. Pauline Kao, Consul General at the United States Consulate General in Düsseldorf
Later this year, Annika Bahl, Director Government & Public Affairs, joined Consul General Pauline Kao in a panel discussion about the impacts of the upcoming presidential election on the transatlantic relationship during the NRW USA Summit 2024. The importance of a reliable partnership in these geopolitical turbulent times was also highlighted in an exchange between a Wilo Group representative, company representatives from other NRW companies and US congressmen, facilitated by NRW Global Business.
Annika Bahl, Director Government & Public Affairs, (on the right side) along with H.E. US Consul General Pauline Kao and Prof. David Audretsch during a panel discussion at the NRW USA Summit 2024
Another rather sportive event of the year has been the CHIO in Aachen. In keeping with the current NRW-USA Year, the United States was a partner country of the CHIO Aachen in 2024 to honor the long-standing friendship and close cultural and economic ties between the United States and Germany, especially North Rhine-Westphalia. Wilo financially supported this event and the CHIO Aachen was attended by multiple Wilo employees.
Wilo hurdle at the opening show of the CHIO Aachen 2024
New partnerships on the horizon
Through mutual continued support, Wilo is excited to represent NRW in all business ventures as well as participate in any future NRW events. Additionally, to further strengthen the ties between NRW and the United States, the company is excited to announce a new partnership with a large professional US sports organization at the end of September… stay tuned.
