Sandler AG employees welcomed at Houston commission meeting
PERRY -- Houston County commissioners welcomed some important new residents to the community Tuesday.
A dozen people fresh off a plane from Germany came to the commission meeting. They work for Sandler AG, a textile company that expects to open its first North American plant in Perry in September.
They are here to help get the plant off the ground.
Tobias Baumgartel, president of the plant, said his crew is excited for the opportunity.
"They are pirates," he said. "They are adventurers."
They planned to go apartment hunting after the meeting.
Last year, Sandler AG bought the county's speculative building that had been vacant since it was built in 2001.
Most members of the German group have never been to America before, said Angie Gheesling, executive director of the Houston County Development Authority. She said she appreciated the sacrifice the group was making to leave their homes, although it will not be permanent.
"It's a big deal," she said. "You are leaving your family and your friends behind."
Gheesling said Perry is planning to throw an Oktoberfest in the company's honor.
After the meeting, Baumgartel said the plant will eventually employ 140 people, but that will take about five years.
It will start with a small crew of 15 Americans who will work in tandem with 15 Germans to learn to use the equipment. Employment would ramp up over three phases, he said.
A job application process has not yet been set, but Baumgartel said it will be soon.
Commission Chairman Tommy Stalnaker doled out gifts to the group, including a county lapel pin and ink pens with the county name.
"You come from a different country, but I can tell you, you will be embraced here," Stalnaker said. "People of all nationalities have come here, and we all have made this a better place to live. You are now official residents of Houston County."
Christian Wendt, who will be the warehouse manager, said he is excited for the opportunity. He had visited the U.S. a few times when he was with the German Navy.
"It is a great experience that you only get once in a life," he said. "You have to do that if it's possible for you."
The plant will produce rolls of nonwoven fabric used in such products as baby wipes.
To contact writer Wayne Crenshaw, call 256-9725.
This story was originally published April 5, 2016 at 5:21 PM with the headline "Sandler AG employees welcomed at Houston commission meeting ."