Server: Netscape-Communications/1.1 Date: Thursday, 20-Nov-97 21:28:39 GMT Last-modified: Monday, 20-Jan-97 17:17:14 GMT Content-length: 4401 Content-type: text/html Global Presence
  Ferro Corporation Global Presence

 

While some corporations have only recently discovered the advantages of international presence and expertise, global operations have been a way of life for Ferro since the early days of the Company. For many years, international operations have been the source of more than half of both sales and profits.

Ferro's early years brought corporate growth primarily in Europe, followed by Latin America and then other areas of the globe. While the Company continually evaluates expansion opportunities worldwide, current activity has been centered on the major growth economies of the countries comprising the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and other areas of the Far East.

Ferro today maintains operations in 22 countries - and has been associated with 13 of those countries for at least 25 years, and seven of those for more than half a century. All told, the Company serves the specialty material product needs of diversified industrial customers in over 100 nations.

Throughout the world, quality products and customer service are Ferro's hallmarks. Particular emphasis is placed on obtaining and maintaining International Organization for Standardization (ISO) 9000 quality certification for every operation. Most businesses achieved certification by the end of 1993, with several scheduled for certification in 1994.

Ferro and its customers benefit from the broad international operating experience of the Company's executive management team, many of whom have years of firsthand management experience at one or more of Ferro's foreign subsidiaries.

Ferro's international management approach is dynamic and responsive, and as conditions change, so does the Company. For example, each Ferro subsidiary or foreign operation traditionally was managed by a managing director resident in an individual country. To better capitalize on the integrated markets in Europe, Ferro adopted a pan-European organization in 1992. In addition, the Company has named global managers for major product lines.

Ferro's global presence is a strong competitive advantage. Ferro's technical, marketing and management personnel are in continuous contact with customers in every major area of the world. Multinational customers can be assured of standard products and consistent quality wherever they have operations. Ferro also benefits from volume purchasing of key raw materials on a worldwide basis and from the cost-effective implementation of best practice product development, production and customer service approaches in its facilities worldwide.