The top executive of Mercedes Benz USA says moving the German luxury carmaker’s American headquarters from New Jersey to metro Atlanta is “his biggest professional challenge.”
Steve Cannon, speaking Thursday to the Atlanta Press Club, said it was hard telling loyal employees that their lives would be uprooted. He said he spoke to them on Jan. 6, fielding questions and hearing their anxieties.
“That was a hard moment,” he said.
Still, Cannon said he is certain the move, which is under way, was the best choice.
“I’m 100 percent convinced this is the right thing to do to establish the company in a new environment and hit reset for success for the next 50 years.”
Cannon said about 35 percent, or about 200, of the New Jersey employees will move to Georgia. The company will hire the rest, ramping up to 600 total by 2016.
Why is Cannon so sold on metro Atlanta? Quality of life, the strong business community and a growing economy, he said. The company chose Sandy Springs with employees in mind: it’s an easy commute whether workers choose to live intown or in the suburbs.
“We want to thrive as a family and thrive as a business.”
