Federico Kochlowski Shares the Impact of Mercedes-Benz in Alabama

President Bruce Rogers and Rotarian Ed Christian with Federico Kochlowski

This week the Rotary Club of Birmingham welcomed Federico Kochlowski, President & CEO of Mercedes-Benz U.S. International, Inc. (MBUSI). He provided an overview of the North American operations of the company, which have been headquartered in Tuscaloosa, AL since 1997. He shared how MBUSI’s 11,000 U.S. team members account for 6.3% of the company’s workforce and produce $3.4 billion annually. Kochlowski explained the company’s history and how it became the first major automotive manufacturing location in the state of Alabama, serving as a catalyst for the establishment of additional manufacturing facilities and parts suppliers in the region. Kochlowski described the lineup of Mercedes vehicles manufactured at the Tuscaloosa plant as well as the logistics operations and battery plant housed in Bibb County. Kochlowski shared that more than 4.5 million vehicles have been produced in Tuscaloosa since 1997 and Mercedes-Benz has invested over $7 billion in Alabama.

Bio for federico Kochlowski

Federico Kochlowski became the new President and Chief Executive Officer of Mercedes-Benz U.S. International, Inc. (MBUSI) effective May 1, 2024. In this role, he leads MBUSI’s 6,000+ Team Members in the assembly of the GLE, GLE Coupé, GLS and Mercedes-Maybach GLS in Alabama. MBUSI is also the assembly location of the all-electric SUV versions of the EQS and EQE and the Mercedes-Maybach EQS produced exclusively in Tuscaloosa for the U.S. and global market. Plant Tuscaloosa’s second campus in Bibb County, Alabama houses several logistics operations and a Battery Plant, which produces battery systems for the plant’s electric models. More than 4.5 million vehicles have been produced in Tuscaloosa since 1997.

The plant was the first major automotive manufacturing location in the State of Alabama—serving as the catalyst for additional OEMs, and automotive suppliers. It has also encouraged other businesses to come to the area. In addition to those MBUSI employs, the plant secures more than 55,000 additional jobs with suppliers and service providers in the region.

So far, Mercedes-Benz has invested a total of more than $7 billion in Alabama, $1 billion earmarked for production of electric passenger cars, expanding the plant’s logistics activities and for its battery factory.

Kochlowski’s experience is extensive, spanning several leadership production roles at Mercedes-Benz, and across several regions including the U.S., China and Mexico. Kochlowski joined MBUSI as Vice President of Operations at MBUSI in 2023.

Mr. Kochlowski holds an Engineering Degree from Catholic University Cordoba and an Executive MBA from Michigan State University. Mr. Kochlowski and his wife live in Hoover, Alabama. They have 4 children.