At Friday’s USA MeetUp: Made in Slovenia. Trusted in the USA., hosted by Litostroj Power, members of the AmCham Slovenia and USA Navigator communities came together for an open conversation about what truly opens doors in the U.S. market.

The discussion, moderated by Vida Dolenc Pogačnik, featured Jure Andročec, CEO of Litostroj Power, and Christoph Dörr, Director of the European Office of the Alabama Department of Commerce. The conversation explored how to choose the right location, the importance of local presence, access to talent, and why the United States should not be viewed as one market, but rather as 50 distinct business environments. Special attention was given to Alabama, one of the fastest-growing economic regions in the U.S., which is increasingly attracting international companies from the automotive, aerospace, space, defense, and advanced manufacturing sectors.

Litostroj Power is an excellent example of a Slovenian company that has built its American success story step by step. Today, nearly half of its business comes from the United States and Canada, with a significant part of its U.S. presence connected to Alabama, from where it continues to expand into other parts of the country. The speakers emphasized that world-class products and engineering expertise alone are not enough for success. Trust, partnerships, and a willingness to become part of the local community are equally important.

The most memorable takeaway of the morning came from Christoph Dörr’s personal business experience: “An American always buys from his buddy.” The message was clear. In the United States, customers do not buy only products and services. They buy trust, relationships, and people they know.

Following the discussion, participants were invited on a guided tour of Litostroj Power’s production facilities. Surrounded by impressive turbines and hydropower components, we gained a firsthand look at how solutions are created that bring Slovenian knowledge, innovation, and engineering excellence to the global stage. It was an inspiring reminder that great stories often begin much closer to home than we think. P.S. Alabama will also be one of the key stops on the upcoming AmCham business and development delegation to the United States. This October, participants will visit Virginia and Alabama to gain firsthand insights into the local business environment and explore new opportunities for growth.