The Japan Times WORLD EYE REPORTS LOWER SAXONY
©THE JAPAN TIMES	Thursday, January 24, 2002

A catalyst for change

Engelhard Technologies of Lower Saxony is the market leader for catalytic converters in the European automobile industry. However, the company's approach does not limit it to this region. "We are a global company, but we don't see our customers as being European, North American, or Japanese," says Dr Hermann Fischer, its managing director. "We focus on the needs of individual companies such as BMW, Peugeot, Ford, Nissan or Volkswagen. We are extremely customer-focused."

Maintaining long-term relations with Japan is top priority for Dr. Hermann Fischer.

Engelhard has built its worldwide presence on individual customer attention. "Our longest relationship has been our joint venture in Japan with Nippon Engelhard Chemcat," he continued. "Our partners there design for the Japanese original equipment manufacturers, and we supply the Japanese carmakers in Europe, the U.K., and South Africa. Engelhard Corporation U.S. (the parent company) and Nippon Engelhard Chemcat are the cornerstones of our entire worldwide business." Engelhard's operations in Lower Saxony are especially important in the development of diesel engine technology. "This is a very exciting time, because diesel technology is becoming cleaner and more energy efficient than ever," explained Fischer. "Diesel will become more attractive as fuel costs go up, and the cars have never been more powerful and comfortable. We are in the middle of developing catalyst-based soot filter systems that will remove the fine carbon particles present in diesel exhaust."

Catalytic converters enable car engines to run cleaner and more efficiently, so it is critical to be involved in the manufacturing process early on. "We are very close to the OEMs, because as soon as they start to design a new engine, we are involved in the process. We work together from the very beginning. This is a condition for eventual customer satisfaction."

"Engine makers need a quick-reacting and innovative partner, and this is something we have to continually work on. We are always at work on improving ourselves. When new engines are created, partners are needed. Our record speaks well of our strengths. Our customers see this and choose to work with Engelhard," Fischer concluded.

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