Introductory Note and Definitions
The objective of the Company Briefing and Flat Glass Industry sections is to provide background information on the world’s flat glass industry and, as an industry leader, the position within it of the NSG Group. In June 2006, Nippon Sheet Glass Co., Limited acquired Pilkington plc through NSG UK Enterprises Limited; a wholly owned subsidiary. The decision was subsequently taken to brand the enlarged Group as ‘NSG Group’ and to use the ‘Pilkington’ brand for all of the Group’s Flat Glass businesses.
Consequently, in these sections, all references to ‘Pilkington’, with the exception of a few historical allusions, relate to the Flat Glass businesses of the NSG Group. Where the operations of the whole Group are referred to collectively, the terms ‘NSG Group’ or ‘the Group’ are used. The Group’s Flat Glass businesses comprise Building Products businesses in Europe, Japan, North America, South America, China and South East Asia, which are managed on a regional basis, and the Pilkington Automotive business, which is managed globally.
It should be borne in mind that the Flat Glass businesses of the NSG Group account for just under 90 per cent of the NSG Group’s business by sales and that the Group also has a third business line, Specialty Glass, accounting for around 10 per cent of Group sales, which is not covered by this publication. As a result, any figures referring to ‘Pilkington’ or ‘NSG Group Flat Glass’ sales and operating income are lower than those for the NSG Group as a whole. The strategic direction of NSG Group itself is covered in Part Three of this publication.
The operating currency of the NSG Group is the Japanese yen. However, for ease of reference the currency used throughout this publication is the euro and any figures relating to financial performance are therefore approximate. This publication should be read in conjunction with the NSG Group Annual Report 2008, for the fiscal year ended March 31 2008.
Available for download: Pilkington and the Flat Glass Industry 2008 publication