Mr. Immelt said he could not end his talk without touching on one of GE's less successful activities in Europe, its attempt to acquire Honeywell that had been blocked by the European Commission. The decision dealt a blow to morale at both companies and created a false perception that GE was not linked to European markets and customers. "We just can't live with the thought that you may not like us, " he said. With the appeal still pending Mr. Immelt declined to discuss any details.
In conclusion, Mr. Immelt said that GE remained strongly committed to globalisation and Europe. "We' re going forward aggressively in globalisation," he said. As GE began its second century as company, it saw rcs data a future without limits.
For more information on the European Policy Centre, please consult the website
Jeffrey R. Immelt, 46, is Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer of GE. Immelt, the 9th CEO in GE's 120-year history, was appointed to this post on September 7, 2001. Previously, Immelt served as President and Chairman-elect of GE from November 2000, when GE's Board of Directors selected him to succeed John F. Welch. From 1997 to 2000, Mr. Immelt had been President and CEO of GE Medical Systems. He began his GE career in 1982, and following a brief assignment with Corporate Marketing, held a series of leadership roles with GE Plastics in sales,
Cooperation was at the heart of GE's success in Europe as well as other parts of the world. Specific examples included Tungsram in Hungary and Thomson CGR global diagnostic imaging and Snecma commercial engines in France. GE's approach was to invest in capability and grow exports from each investment. Mr. Immelt said that GE's goal was to become Number 1 in Europe and to that end it planned to invest more in customers, business development and communications.