The Province of Liege is geographically situated in the centre of a network of more than 8 major car manufacturers, including Daimler-Chrysler, Ford Motor, General Motors (Opel), Nedcar, Renault, Toyota, Volkswagen and Volvo Cars. Top priority for the Province is to create the best possible distribution opportunities for the automotive industry and car component suppliers. These opportunities are not only based on efficient communication routes and real experience in logistics and automotive technology, but also on favourable financial conditions and assistance. On top of that, the local Walloon Government and the European Union offer attractive incentives on automotive investment options, which can reach up to 30% depending upon the type of investment.

The Province of Liege has a long automotive tradition. From 1895-1950 the whole region flourished as a result of the automotive industry, with renowned models such as Nagant, Minerva, Singer, Imperia and FN manufactured or assembled in Liege. With 75% of production being exported, between 1895 and 1915 Belgian cars were considered among the best in the world. Today, the Province itself does not house any large construction plants, however, it is home to some 30 enterprises that earn their living by either manufacturing parts for the automotive industry or by shaping and equipping vehicles.

The Province of Liege is not only the home base of the steel group Cockerill Sambre, owned by Usinor which supplies steel to all the European car constructors, but also of Continental, producing tyres for trucks, and Faymonville, manufacturing trailers, bodies and caravans, as well as Jonathan’s Industries, preparing car-interiors and providing coach work-parts. An example of a company in Liege that is specialised in a specific product is Bundy SA, who produce braking mechanisms. Moreover, from Liege Airport the automotive sector is further served by leading carrier company TNT.
 

Cockerill Sambre committed to innovation in the automotive steel industry

The Liege based Cockerill Sambre Group, owned by the French steel group Usinor, is one of the 10 European members of the ULSAB project. This project is committed to innovation in the automotive steel industry by using technologies such as hydro-forming and advanced high strength steels with a view to reducing weight and production costs in automotive manufacture. Cockerill Sambre is selling products mainly on the European market, while its production units are located in Belgium and Germany, with affiliates in Belgium, France and Luxembourg. As a medium-sized steel company, the Group is dominant in worked up products with a client base drawn from both the car industry and the domestic equipment sector.

Moreover, Cockerill Sambre has an advanced galvanisation line in Liege. Called Eurogal, this line is devoted to steel work for the automotive industry. And together with Hoogovens and Sidmar, Cockerill Sambre is a participant in the Segal production line, which bases its products on advanced steel technology. Segal pursues a programme with the research centres of the parent companies, the Centre for Research in Metallurgy (CRM) and the University of Liege. The factory is located in the harbour area of Liege and is directly connected to the European distribution network, providing fast and efficient road, rail and water links.

For further information, please contact Mr Alain Druez, Tel: +32/4/236.72.47 and Fax: +32/4/273.98.01
 

TNT an excellent partner for the automotive industry

From its ‘state-of-the-art’ Air Hub in Liege, TNT specialises in logistics and offers global logistic solutions to the automotive industry from the client’s order through to delivery to the end-user. TNT is the European based leader in global express distribution, logistics and international mail and offers import capabilities in more than 50 countries around the world. Among its specialised automotive service clients are Fiat, General Motors (GM), Honda, Hyundai and Volvo.

Owned by TNT Post Group (TPG), it is a publicly quoted company, which was listed on the Amsterdam and New York stock markets in the summer of 1998. Headquartered in Amsterdam, The Netherlands, TNT Post Group employs more than 50,000 people in over 200 countries, carries 134 million items a week by either its 35 planes or 17,000 vehicles and enjoyed sales of Euro 7 billion ($ 7.4 billion) in 1997. TNT has built its European hub in Liege, processing 200 airplane containers per hour and serving 150 destinations. This represents a significant opportunity for foreign investors to set up European Distribution Centres and enjoy the region’s central position in Europe and its excellent transport facilities.

For further information, please contact Mr Luc Dezeure, Sectormanager Automotive, Tel: +32/2/754.46.20, Fax: +32/2/754.42.85 and E-Mail: Luc.Dezeure@tnt.com

Part of the latest generation of eco-tyres produced by Continental Benelux

The Continental plant in Liege produces a part of the latest generation of eco-tyres that are economic and environmentally-friendly, in both their use of raw materials and the advantages they offer customers. In general, Continental tyres are recognised as an excellent compromise between economy and environment, due to their low rolling resistance (less fuel consumption) and high mileage performance.

The Continental tyre factory in Liege is owned by the German company Continental AG, the second largest European tyre producer, with more than 52 plants and over 57,000 employees around the world. Total Continental sales are up to Euro 6.8 billion (USD 7.2 billion) (1998) worldwide, 72% of which is attributable to tyres of various brands of passenger cars, commercial vehicles and two-wheelers, and 28% to industrial and other products.

In Belgium, the Continental Group is market leader in car tyres (35% market share) and second in truck tyres (22% market share). The Liege plant specialises in the production of truck and coach tyres, with about 95% of its production being exported. The plant also produces high tech truck race tyres that have won all the truck race championships over the past 10 years.

For further information, please contact Mr Guy Libens, Sales Director Truck Tyres Division, Tel: +32/2/710.23.10 and Fax: +32/2/710.23.88
 

New applications of noble wood on recyclable material by Jonathan’s Industries

Jonathan’s Industries is investing in and developing new technologies and exclusivity in design. The company was born at the end of 1994 out of Jonathan Car Styling International SA.

Jonathan Car Styling International was set up in 1986 by François Bandura and Meusinvest, with a view to bringing the wood panelling of cars back into fashion. The company then consisted of a handful of enthusiastic craftsmen and soon the young company entered the European automotive accessory market, building up a client base including names such as Mazda, BMW, Toyota, Schnitzer and Brabus.

Its revolutionary application of noble wood on recyclable materials used in the industrial world, resulted in 1993 in an important 4-year contract with the Swedish manufacturer Volvo, through the Allibert Industrie agency - the leading European car parts manufacturer. Today, Jonathan’s Industries serves the whole European automotive industry from its central base in the Province of Liege.

For further information, please contact Mr Pierre Brissa, Tel: +32/4/278.75.00 and Fax: +32/4/278.11.91