May 10, 2007

DSM appoints new leader for DSM China Ltd

Press release
 

DSM has appointed Jiang Weiming as President DSM China as of May 1, 2007.

Formerly Senior Vice President Strategic Projects Asia at DSM's Corporate Planning Department, Jiang succeeds Stefan Sommer, who will continue his assignment as strategic advisor to DSM's Managing Board. Jiang's new appointment underlines the strategic importance DSM attaches to China as an emerging market, the company said.

DSM's target is to achieve sales in China of more than US$1 billion by 2010, which represents a doubling compared with 2005, said Jan Zuidam, Deputy Chairman of DSM's Managing Board.

Zuidam added that Jiang's appointment indicated the company's "firm belief" that China will contribute significantly to its Vision 2010 goals. 

Before joining DSM, Jiang worked 15 years for Novozymes in several management positions in the Asia-Pacific and China. He was actively involved in the development of a biotech-industry platform in the country.

Jiang also contributed to an increased awareness and implementation of sustainable entrepreneurship in China, among other things in his capacity as Vice-chairman of the China Business Council for Sustainable Development, a position that he will continue to fulfill as president of DSM China.

Since announcing its strategy Vision 2010 - Building on Strengths, one of the three drivers of which is an increased presence in emerging economies, DSM has made concrete progress in China.

In 2006, DSM's sales in China amounted to almost US$775 million, an increase of 25 percent compared with 2005. DSM has significantly increased its product portfolio and manufacturing footprint in China, investing a total of more than US$120 million over the past year.

DSM said its January announcement of building a brand new DSM China Campus in Shanghai marked another milestone underlining its commitment to China. The company seeks to expand its R&D activities in China with the new facility.