• COVER PAGE

  •  INTRODUCTION

  •  EUROPEAN
     CHAMPION:
THE UNITED KINGDOM

  •  THE RUNNER-UP:
      FRANCE

  •  GERMANY GRABS
      THIRD PLACE

  •  BELGIUM, NO. 4

  •  POLAND TAKES
      FIFTH PLACE

  •  IRELAND, NO. 6

  •  HUNGARY TAKES
      SEVENTH PLACE

  •  SPAIN, NO. 8

  • THE
     NETHERLANDS
     RECORD
     BREAKING YEAR

  •  AUSTRIA ROUNDS
      OUT THE TOP 10

According to the EIM, the Netherlands attracted 87 new and expanded corporate facilities last year, securing the No. 9 position among European countries.

In fact, 1998 was a record-breaking year for foreign investment, according to the Netherlands Foreign Investment Agency (www.nfia.nl), with new projects announced for Holland resulting in more than $645 million in capital investment and approximately 5,200 jobs.

The Netherlands performed particularly well in attracting head offices, shared service center and call centers, as well as distribution centers and companies involved in information and communications technology, biotechnology and foods.

A sampling of major new facilities includes Kafus Environmental Industries' $120 million Amsterdam panelboards plant, Wurth's $69 million Venlo wholesale machinery logistics center, Reebok's $35 million Rotterdam shared services and distribution center and Ingram Micro's 550,000-sq.-ft. (51,100-sq.-m) Heerlen distribution center. Ingram Micro's new pan-European facility will be one of the largest and most technologically advanced distribution operations in Europe.

"We are very pleased that Ingram Micro chose the Netherlands for such an innovative project," says NFIA Executive Director Robert Schipper. "Choosing the right location to establish European operations is critical to the success of a company. We are confident that the company will benefit from the Netherlands' strategic location and efficient infrastructure and work force."

For a complete report on the Netherlands, see the October/November 1998 Site Selection.