At the GACC Midwest Colorado Chapter, we understand that the true value of membership lies in the connections, collaborations, and synergies that emerge when businesses work together.
The Colorado Chapter brings about partnerships by offering a platform that connects businesses with complementary needs and solutions.
This success story showcases the impactful collaboration between the Colorado Chapter's members deuter USA, a manufacturer of backpacks and bags, and IT Zeitgeist, a Colorado IT consulting firm and goes to show how the Chapter fosters meaningful business connections that lead to tangible results.
The Colorado Chapter Advantage and Its Benefits
The Colorado Chapter strives to forge powerful partnerships by connecting our members to foster innovation, growth, and meaningful business development. We know where to look and which of our members to ask for expertise. Whether a company is looking to expand its reach in marketing, enhance its site search capabilities, integrate IT systems, or navigate the complexities of registering a German business in the U.S., the Colorado Chapter facilitates valuable connections to trusted professionals in the GACC network who can provide guidance.
“By offering these valuable resources and building a strong network, the Colorado Chapter ensures that its members can tap into a wealth of knowledge and expertise, helping them to navigate various business challenges with confidence and success,” said Samantha Seems, GACC Midwest Colorado Chapter Executive Director.
Background
Deuter, an iconic German outdoor brand founded in 1898 by Hans Deuter near Augsburg, Germany, has long been a leader in designing high-quality backpacks and sleeping bags. With its U.S. headquarters in Boulder, CO, the company is committed to sustainability, innovation, and expanding its market reach.
In early 2020, deuter USA joined the Colorado Chapter with the goal of expanding its brand's presence in the U.S. and connecting with other businesses that could offer valuable insights and collaboration opportunities. Bill Hartrampf, Sales Leader / Direct Sales at deuter USA, reflected, “It seemed like a good way to expand our brand’s reach and make connections with other members that could be mutually beneficial.”
“The GACC Midwest Colorado offered more than just networking opportunities. It provided access to a community of businesses that understand the unique challenges of working across cultures. This has been instrumental in helping deuter navigate the complexities of U.S. operations and grow our business", shared Bill.
The Colorado Chapter proactively supports its members, which in deuter’s case has positively impacted its business in promotional sales with their lifestyle backpacks, several opportunities to introduce their company and brand to GACC Midwest members, access to the national membership directory, advertising in the printed Colorado Chapter directory, and the Chapter supported hiking events that deuter hosted.
When Barbara Wittman, Founder and CEO of IT Zeitgeist, moved to the U.S. at the end of 2016 to re-establish her consulting business, she quickly realized that business operations differed significantly from what she had known in Germany. The strategies and practices she had mastered over a decade as a business owner no longer fully applied. She sought out like-minded professionals who understood both worlds and could help ease her transition. The GACC was the perfect fit for her, offering not just business support but also a sense of belonging. Her longstanding connection to the German Chamber of Commerce, rooted in her education and apprenticeship in Germany, further drew her to the organization.
“The GACC has helped me build a network of trusted colleagues and friends who not only enrich my business life but also create lasting memories. These connections go beyond professional relationships; they’ve become a source of advice, encouragement, and inspiration, enabling me to navigate challenges with greater confidence,” said Barbara.
She continued by saying, “The benefits extend far beyond traditional networking and business development. The GACC offers a strong, supportive community, a "village" as they say, of people who understand the challenges of bridging two business cultures. This network has made my transition to the U.S. smoother and continues to provide opportunities for both personal and professional growth. It’s a place where I can contribute, learn, and form meaningful connections that support my journey.”
In 2024, Barbara proudly stepped into the role of GACC Midwest Colorado Chapter President, wanting to give back to the community that had been instrumental in shaping her career.
Connecting our Members
This success story highlights the powerful partnership between deuter USA and IT Zeitgeist, which was forged through GACC-CO membership. The GACC-CO played a pivotal role in connecting a member with a challenge to a member with a solution by providing a platform for them to connect.
Through events such as the German American Business Outlook event as well as proactive support from the GACC, members can forge partnerships with each other that have lasting impacts on their operations.
The Collaboration
Like many international companies, deuter faced operational challenges as it scaled its U.S. operations. Colorado-based consulting firm, IT Zeitgeist, was the perfect partner for deuter. Founded and led by Barbara Wittman, IT Zeitgeist specializes in aligning people, technology, and global transformation strategies to help organizations navigate and thrive in the digital age, making them the ideal match to address deuter's challenges.
Barbara was well familiar with deuter having grown up in Germany; Deuter is an iconic, staple brand. Living at the foothills of the Alps and being active outdoors, Barbara remembers that having a deuter backpack was almost a rite of passage.
“For me, deuter is intertwined with major milestones and early adventures. I proudly carried my first small hiking backpack in 3rd grade on Wandertag (hiking day), and when I embarked on my first trip to the U.S. at 16, a larger deuter pack became my trusted travel companion. It felt only fitting that deuter would also be part of one of my biggest life adventures exploring Colorado,” shared Barbara.
As its U.S. operations struggled to keep up with growing demand, deuter faced a critical issue with warehouse space.
“Deuter was facing a crisis with warehouse space that was insufficient for the volume of product we were selling. Storage and receiving time were both pain points,” commented Jonathan Degenhardt, Managing Director at deuter and ORTOVOX.
Deuter needed a solution that could scale efficiently and integrate seamlessly with their existing systems. IT Zeitgeist’s expertise in managing major technical projects such as Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) transformation and complex integration made IT Zeitgeist an ideal partner to support deuter’s growth and operational optimization efforts.
In addition to Barbara’s expertise, Bill Hartrampf, Direct Sales at deuter, believed that as a native German, she would be able to work more effectively with deuter’s IT team in Germany.
Deuter engaged IT Zeitgeist to help assess and select a third-party logistics (3PL) provider, ensuring that the new partner could work effectively with deuter’s ERP system and international IT team.
With deep roots in both Germany and the U.S., IT Zeitgeist offered a unique blend of cultural and technical expertise that was crucial to the success of its collaboration with deuter. “Our experience navigating the difference between German and American business environments helped ensure that deuter’s globally distributed team remain aligned, productive, and cohesive despite differing goals, styles, and cultural perspectives,” commented Barbara.
Barbara and her team at IT Zeitgeist took charge of the integration project, managing everything from system compatibility testing to coordinating with multiple international teams.
“We facilitated key milestones, including systems integration planning, testing, and the development of comprehensive process documentation to enable a smooth and scalable implementation,” said Barbara.
A key contribution was the creation of a centralized information management system, which continues to serve as a vital resource for deuter's operations.
Thanks to IT Zeitgeist's expert project management, the project was completed on time and under budget. As a result, deuter now boasts a best-in-class fulfillment center on the U.S. West Coast that can dynamically scale based on seasonal demands, solving their storage and fulfillment issues.
Beyond Operations: Leadership Development
The partnership between deuter and IT Zeitgeist went beyond solving operational issues. In 2024, two members of deuter’s team participated in IT Zeitgeist's Digital Wisdom Collective, a leadership development program designed to cultivate innovation and strategic thinking.
“This evolving collaboration has empowered deuter’s employees to lead strategic initiatives and drive sustainable digital transformation independently,” said Barbara.
For deuter, the partnership with IT Zeitgeist not only solved logistical challenges but also laid the foundation for future growth and leadership development. The partnership is a shining example of how membership in the German American Chamber of Commerce - Colorado Chapter leads to lasting synergies and measurable business success. It is a testament to the power of the GACC-CO network which fosters connections and creates a space for businesses to work together.
“Our work with deuter is a perfect example of how collaboration among GACC-CO Chapter members creates lasting synergies. It’s about aligning people, processes, and systems to drive success, and we’re proud to be a part of their journey,” added Barbara.
Interested in learning more about the benefits of GACC-CO membership? Join us today and start creating your own success story.
About IT Zeitgeist:
IT Zeitgeist aligns people, technology, and global transformation strategies to help organizations navigate and thrive in the digital age. Led by Barbara, a strategic advisor, certified business coach, and transformation guide, the IT Zeitgeist team combines cultural and technical expertise to partner with digital leaders. Together, the team drives impactful change, optimizes operations, and delivers measurable results. IT Zeitgeist's mission is to empower organizations with practical, sustainable, and ethical digital strategies that foster long-term success across global markets.
In addition, IT Zeitgeist offers a leadership development framework through the Digital Wisdom Collective which is a mentoring program founded by Barbara to empower digital trailblazers and cultivate innovation from within organizations.
Barbara Wittmann, Founder and CEO
barbara@itzeitgeist.com
www.itzeitgeist.com
About Deuter:
As Europe’s leading backpack manufacturer, we have been shaping the international mountain sports scene for more than 125 years. Our product innovations, German craftsmanship, and cutting-edge designs result in products that are without compare.