South Carolina Governor Henry McMaster is traveling to Germany next week to strengthen business ties that have contributed to the state’s economic growth. During his trip, he plans to attend the TDI conference, also known as the Day of German Industry, where he will give a keynote speech on South Carolina’s relationships with German companies and participate in a panel discussion.
South Carolina has been proactive in attracting companies from around the world, which has driven the state’s growth. It ranks second in the U.S. in a population-adjusted index that tracks foreign companies with distinct operations in the country. Germany has the largest presence in South Carolina of any country, with 262 facilities employing about 44,000 people, representing about 2% of the state’s total workforce.
During his visit to Germany, McMaster plans to visit the headquarters of two major automakers with significant investments in South Carolina. He will meet with executives of BMW in Munich, which built a plant in Greer in 1994 and has since expanded to employ over 11,000 workers. McMaster will also tour Volkswagen headquarters in Wolfsburg, where the parent company of Scout Motors is building a plant near Columbia to produce electric SUVs, expected to open in 2027 and employ up to 4,000 people.
The goal of McMaster’s visit is to strengthen ties between South Carolina and Germany and facilitate further business opportunities. He also plans to meet with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and the country’s finance minister. The South Carolina Commerce Department highlighted McMaster’s role as the state’s CEO in fostering these relationships and attracting investment.
After McMaster returns to South Carolina, Lightsey will remain in Germany for additional meetings with political leaders, business executives, and other key figures who attended the TDI conference last year. The trip underscores the importance of international connections
