Foreign investments: facts and figures
What does the foreign investment panorama look like in Liege? Here are some data that will give you an idea of the number of foreign companies in the area as well as their country of origin, and the last developments in 1995.
Which companies are present in Liege? Where do they come from?
A first selection has been made with the following criteria (updated 7/12/95):
- all sectors included: production, distribution, commercial and services
- located in the Province of Liege
- companies owned at least 25% by a foreign company (one, two or three together)
Total: 473 companies
Another selection has been made on the following basis: (updated 1/1/96)
- production plants only
- located in the Province of Liege
- companies owned at least 50% by a foreign company
- companies employing at least 10 people
Total: 159 companies
- France:
Air Liquide, Browning, Spacebel Instrumentation, Mio, Techspace Aéro, Corman, Degremont Benelux, FNNH, Interlac,...
- United States:
Cabot Plastics Belgium, Copeland, Hexcel, Durco Europe, Jacobs-Suchard (Philip Morris), Marine Power Europe, Owens Corning, Boston Scientific Europe,...
- Germany:
Siemens, Veka Platten, Pneu Uniroyal Englebert, ACE, Boehringer Ingelheim SA,...
- United Kingdom:
ECC International, Cidre Stassen, Polypal, Bundy, Hickson Manro,...
- Holland:
Frans Maas, Segal, Phenix Aluminium,...
- Switzerland:
Nestlé Belgilux, Galliker Transport SA, Alvi,...
- Sweden:
Mölnlycke, Nordifa,...
- Italy:
Fiat Hitachi-Belgium,...
- etc.
In which sectors? Results 1995.
Countries:
- USA: 32%
- Germany: 13%
- United Kingdom: 10%
- Sweden: 7%
- France: 7%
- Rest of the world: 31%
- Steel industry: 36%
- Chemicals: 22%
- Food: 19%
- Energy: 16%
- Others: 7%
Here are some examples of companies which have chosen Liege as a starting point on the road to European success. They explain their choice and how they feel today.
Marine Power Europe is another US company (Brunswick group) located in Liege and specialized in boat engines and small boats. Mr Fabry, Managing Director, explains: "Why Liege? There was the attractive location in the heart of Europe, and it turned out to be a good choice from the logistics point of view. The presence of a specialized workforce was another argument that proved to be right." And what about the quality of life? "Very good", says a young American engineer, "people are very friendly; we are well received, there is no personal conflict. There are lots of shops, restaurants and amenities."
Owens Corning is the world leader in fiberglass production. In 1978, it chose to come to Liege to set up its European plant for Thermolan insulation materials. The company describes its winning hand in much the same way. "The decision for the Liege area rests on five major criteria: it was first a geographical choice, the central location of Liege is ideal for distribution in Europe. This main argument was reinforced by an impressive network of motorways, the availibility of a highly qualified and multilingual workforce, investment incentives from public authorities and the area's knowledge of the steel industry. We are satisfied by the results and the ability of the personnel to adapt to the norms of each particular market."
Nordifa is a Swedish company specialized in special textiles for industrial applications. Three major divisions can be made: tubulars for pipelines, dry and wet filtration, and special ones such as products for the automobile industry, protective gloves, etc. The company decided to settle in Liege in 1985 in order to have a platform in Continental Europe. Stefan Sardh, Nordifa Chief Executive Officer and Félix Theissen, Managing Director of the Liege plant, explain why Liege was chosen. "Liege has an excellent geographical location coupled with very good connections (high speed trains, highways), there was an existing textile plant and we received very good incentives from the Walloon Region.
We are still very happy here, turnover is good and we have made a substantial increase in profits. In 10 years we have had no strikes related to the company. The local workforce has managed to comply with a demand of very high quality and of high manufacturing products. Employees are of course multilingual, we have English, German, Flemish, Spanish (Spain could be a big market), and Italian speaking people. We have had excellent cooperation from the University of Liege since 1987, with whom we carried out some experiments about tubulars (tubulars were discovered in Liege and are now sold all over the world). And the cherry on the cake... Liege is a friendly city, the old town is very charming with nice shops and many excellent restaurants."
Boston Scientific Europe has been working in the field of healthcare in Liege-Petit Rechain for three years now. This US company is active in less invasive medical devices. Through all its divisions, the Boston Scientific group is a world leader in this sector and is characterized by its growth strategy.
The Liege plant is working well. In July 1995 an automated distribution centre was set up to guarantee a direct service in the whole of Western Europe. The plant's main activities are still concerned with production. The group divisions distribute these products throughout the world (except the USA).
Jean-Paul Lahier, Vice-President, explains the reasons for this success: "The market is favourable and conditions are perfect in the Liege unit, social climate is highly positive, know-how and productivity are excellent. We are growing everyday."
