Belgium, the
Netherlands, and Luxembourg-- the Benelux nations--occupy
the geographical heart of western Europe. Here, we survey
the Mitsubishi companies' activities in the region renowned
for windmills, tulips, dikes, lace, endives, and the headquarters
of the European Union.
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Asahi
Glass manufactures a full line of glass products through
its Brussels-based subsidiary, Glaverbel Group, which employs
nearly 13,000 people. Glaverbel is the second-largest manufacturer
of flat glass in Europe. Recent expansion has increased
the production capacity for laminated glass and other high
value-added products greatly at the company's main plants.
In keeping with Asahi Glass's tradition of global management,
European executives fill most of the main management positions
at Glaverbel. |
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"The
door to my office is always open. People feel free to stop
in and raise any issue with me. An open door is important
in fostering good relationships. We have 706 people at this
plant. And I try to make sure that every individual understands
and feels proud of their role in our operations."
Jean-Francois Heris
General Manager, Moustier Plant
Glaverbel Group
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Mitsubishi
Heavy Industries sells diesel engines, makes turbochargers,
and services corrugating machinery at a Dutch subsidiary
(left). A Dutch joint venture with Caterpillar produces
forklift trucks (below). Other Dutch operations of the company
make car air conditioners and service refrigeration equipment.
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| Mitsubishi
Corporation conducts trading and investment in the Benelux
region through Dutch and Belgian subsidiaries. It also owns
a Belgian company that manufactures plastic products. |  |
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| The
Mitsubishi financial institutions are active in all three
Benelux nations. Bank of Tokyo-Mitsubishi operates
in the Netherlands and Luxembourg through locally incorporated
subsidiaries and in Belgium through a branch. Tokio Marine
operates two branches in Belgium and two in the Netherlands.
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| Mitsubishi
Logistics operates in Europe through a Netherlands-based
subsidiary. That operation provides a full range of international
forwarding and warehousing services. |
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NYK
Line is a familiar presence in European ports, especially
in the largest, Rotterdam. The company has four offices
in the Netherlands and Belgium and operates two New Wave
Logistics subsidiaries for providing comprehensive logistics
support, including customs clearance, warehousing, and distribution
services. |
| Mitsubishi
Kakoki markets marine oil cleaners and other marine
equipment and provides related maintenance services through
a Dutch subsidiary. Mitsubishi Corporation is a partner
in that operation. |
| Nikon
serves customers in Europe through a Dutch subsidiary that
imports and markets cameras, microscopes, and other optical
products. Another Netherlands-based Nikon subsidiary handles
financing for the company in Europe. |
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Mitsubishi
Motors
was a Japanese pioneer in automobile manufacturing on the
European continent through its Netherlands Car plant. Originally
a joint venture with Volvo, that plant now is a Mitsubishi
Motors subsidiary. It produces the Mitsubishi Carisma and
other vehicle models. Under Mitsubishi Motors' growing cooperation
with DaimlerChrysler, the Netherlands Car plant will begin
producing the Z-Car global strategic compact model in 2004.
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Mitsubishi
Electric manufactures elevators and escalators (left)
at a subsidiary in the Netherlands (below). Another Mitsubishi
Electric subsidiary in that nation produces electronic systems
and components for automobiles. |
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| Mitsubishi
Rayon is another European manufacturer. It makes resin
materials in the Netherlands. |
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