Stuttgart, February 6,1995
Representatives of Daimler-Benz and the city of Karlsruhe met this weekend to discuss the company's future activities in the technology-rich Karlsruhe region. Under discussion were possibilities for increased Daimler-Benz sponsorship as well as the settlement of corporate units, e.g. the planned Söllingen industrial park, in the region. Present at the meeting, which took place on the occasion of the Davis Cup competition between Germany and Croatia, were Daimler-Benz Senior Director of Public Relations and Economic Policy Matthias Kleinert, Peter K. M. Fietzek, deputy member of the board of management of Mercedes-Benz AG, and Manfred Merkel, director of the S & G Automobilgesellschaft. Representing the city of Karlsruhe were Oberbürgermeister Dr. Gerhard Seiler, and Bürgermeister Heinz Fenrich.This exchange of ideas in the near vicinity of the Davis Cup competition was a good opportunity to address questions about closer cooperative links between Daimler-Benz and the city of Karlsruhe. Dr. Seiler brought up possibilities for civilian use of the Söllingen area - a topic received with interest by the other parties present. The possibility of Group subsidiaries in the electrical or aeronautical fields settling in the area was discussed. The suggestion of Group involvement in the conversion of Söllingen was warmly supported by the Daimler-Benz representatives. A further topic of discussion was the selection of Karlsruhe as the site for presentation of a new model series of Mercedes-Benz commercial vehicles.
A large portion of the meeting was devoted to the discussion of increased company sponsorships in the Karlsruhe technological region. Primary importance was placed on culture, sport, technology and business, with the sponsorship of uniquely European cultural facilities and events, and the granting of special loans for large exhibitions being considered. International events in fields such as track-and-field events were suggested as promotional projects in the area of sports. Another area of sponsoring suggested by Dr. Seiler was the support of the efforts of young people such as those in the technology park.
Kleinert pointed out that the Daimler-Benz company was an important economic force in the Karlsruhe region, purchasing more than DM 700 million worth of goods and services and employing approximately 1,300 people. In addition, another 6,500 jobs revolved around the company's large purchasing volume and the approximately 80 suppliers enlisted to accommodate it. In the area of science, added Kleinert, the Daimler-Benz AG research division also had a great impact, providing considerable resources over the years to both the University of Karlsruhe (TH) and Karlsruhe Polytechnic (FH).
In honor of the 150th birthday of Karlsruhe native Karl Benz, Kleinert announced plans for a series of lectures by different speakers for the upcoming summer semester at the University of Karlsruhe. The lectures, addressing the theme "Mobility and Society," will be sponsored by Daimler-Benz together with the Gottlieb Daimler and Karl Benz Foundation. Also discussed at the meeting was participation of the Karlsruhe SC youth team at the international Daimler-Benz Junior Cup soccer championship, which takes place at the beginning of every year and involves numerous renowned youth teams from all over Europe.
The questions addressed at the meeting in Karlsruhe will now be discussed and further elaborated on by decision-making bodies within Daimler-Benz. The meeting adjourned with the participants agreeing to continue the dialog at a future date.
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© 1995 Daimler-Benz