Puratos Japan won 1st "The Nippon Export Award 2004" for successful firm in Japan
Puratos Japan won 1st "The Nippon Export Award 2004" was awarded to the most successful company exporting to Japan, importing into Japan or distributing within Japan Belgian-Luxembourg products/services for the year 2004.
For the first time, "The Nippon Export Award 2004" was awarded to the most successful company exporting to Japan, importing into Japanor distributing within Japan Belgian-Luxembourg products/services for the year 2004. The Award Ceremony was held at the Residence of the H.E. Jean- François Branders, Ambassador of H.M. the King of the Belgians on November 25, 2004in the presence of H.E. Shoichi Nakagawa, Japanese Minister of Economy, Trade & Industry.
The "Nippon Export Award" is a new initiative of the Belgian-Luxembourg Chamber of Commerce in Japan (BLCCJ) in order to support and promote the business links between Japanand Belgium-Luxembourg. Over the years, several Belgian-Luxembourg products and services have found their way to the Japanese market and with the Nippon Export Award the BLCCJ wishes to further underline this. In this sense, the Nippon Export Award can be seen as a support tool for Prime Minister Koizumi's goal of doubling foreign direct investment in Japan. The award was open to any company exporting to Japan, importing into Japanor distributing within Japan, Belgian-Luxembourg products/ services. The winner was selected by an independent jury that has experience with the Belgian-Luxembourg and Japanese markets.
The members of Nippon Export Award 2004 Jury were:
- H.E. Mrs. Michèle Pranchère-Tomassini, Ambassador of Luxembourg
- H.E. Mr. Jean-François Branders, Ambassador of Belgium
- Mr. Tomiichi Akiyama, Honorary Advisor, Sumitomo Corporation
- Mr. Kaneo Ito, President, Pioneer Corporation
- Mr. Hajime Sawabe, President and CEO, TDK Corporation
The official selection criteria were:
- The presence in the Japanese market and the company's significant achievement (either growth or size) in trade with Japan.
- Showing vision in new niche markets, daring innovation to embark on new opportunities.
- Perseverance in the conquest of the market, adaptation of the products and services to the Japanese taste and standards.
- Originality of approach (marketing, distribution, environment protection, design, research...)
- The company's spirit (marketing, merchandising...)
On October 13, 2004, the Jury selected Puratos Japan Co., Ltd. as the winner of the Nippon Export Award 2004. On Thursday, November 25, the Award was officially presented to Mr. Duco Delgorge, representative and general manager of Puratos Japan Co., Ltd. at the Residence of the Ambassador of Belgium. The award was presented by the Minister of Economy, Trade & Industry, Mr. Shoichi Nakagawa. Duco Delgorge was presented with an acknowledgment letter from Mr. Guy Verhofstadt, Prime Minister of Belgium and Mr. Jean Claude Junker, Prime Minister of Luxembourg.
Puratos, established in 1919 in Brussels, is a world-wide leading supplier of high quality ingredients to the bakery, confectionery, chocolate, food service and food industry markets. Its products are available in over 120 countries around the world. Puratos Japanwas established in 1985 and has enjoyed uninterrupted growth. The headquarters are based in Jingumae with an Innovation Centre and Chocolaterie located nearby in Kita-Aoyama. The company has 45 employees and an annual turnover of about 2.7 billion yen with products sold throughout Japanto a wide customer base.
Puratos Japan has displayed a long-term commitment to the Japanese market. "We aim to leverage our strengths as a Belgian company where appropriate, but we also recognize the importance of adapting to local needs and tastes" said Delgorge. He went on to stress that support from its Brusselsbased headquarters has played a vital role in the company's performance in Japan. However, his feelings about the award were best summed up with this comment. "We are extremely honoured to win this award and are most thankful to our customers for the great support they have given us over the years. We aim to continue to serve them even better in the future."
Mr. Vincent Pairet, president of the BLCCJ and supervisor of the judging, stressed how the Jury particularly valued Puratos Japan's impact on the Puratos Group, not only financially, but also in terms of operations and philosophy. This has benefited Puratos Group's position, not only in Japan, but also on a global level.
(This article is from BLCCJ's official press release)
For more info on the Nippon Export Award, contact the Belgian-Luxembourg Chamber of Commerce in Japan, Ichibancho Central Building 802, 22-1 Ichibancho, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo102-0082, Japan+(81)3-3237-9281, fax: +(81)3-3237-9282, info@blccj.or.jp
*Photo :
From left to right, Wife of Belgian kingdom ambassador to Japan , Mrs. Mika Delgorge, Mr. Duco B. Delgorge (Representative, General Manager of Puratos Japan), Mr. Shoichi Nakagawa (Japanese Economy, Trade and Industry Minister) Mr. Jean- Françoise BRANDERS (Belgian kingdom ambassador to Japan)