Chattanooga and state economic developers will team with Volkswagen and take part in an automotive supplier fair in Germany next week.
“We want to get our suppliers as close to Chattanooga as possible,” said Frank Fischer, chief executive of VW’s operations here.
The International Supplier Fair in Wolfsburg, VW’s worldwide headquarters, expects 720 exhibitors from 24 countries.
Suppliers from the United States and Canada will be featured, officials said. VW plans to showcase suppliers providing parts for the new sedan the automaker will make in Chattanooga starting early next year.
VW plans to send 10 people from its purchasing team to the fair that will run Oct. 6-8, Fischer said during a video news conference.
Trevor Hamilton, the Chattanooga Area Chamber of Commerce’s vice president for economic development, said he already has 12 appointments with companies interested in the Chattanooga area.
“It’s important to build broad-based awareness of Chattanooga,” he said.
Thomas Loafman, VW Group of America’s purchasing director, said the supplier fair is one of the largest such events in Europe.
He said that cutting-edge and green technologies will be displayed and receive a lot of interest by VW.
Tom Ballard, Oak Ridge National Lab’s director of partnerships, said it also will send a delegation. He said it will talk with suppliers about lightweight materials the lab is researching.
Mark Drury of the state Department of Economic and Community Development said Commissioner Matt Kisber will take part.
“We’re excited about the possibilities,” he said.
Contact Mike Pare at mpare@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6318.