FT: Asahi head sees 'huge' profitability hike from glass ops reorganisation

Announcing the reorganisation into two global strategic business units for flat glass and automotive glass, he said he has high expectations for a rise in profitability from the synergies effect and for greatly enhanced efficiencies by combining the group's three geographical poles.Previously these poles - North America, Europe and Asia - were run independently.Ishizu said he expects "a huge amount of profitability increase from the consolidation".Asahi officials said examples of the increased profitability are to be found in the coordination of research and development activities between the geographical regions and in faster passing on of new market applications such as in glazing.Ishizu said "it is hard to say a quantitative figure" for the estimated rise in profitability from the reorganisation.Asahi Glass Co Ltd president Shinya Ishizu said he expects a "huge" increase in profitability from the reorganisation of its worldwide glass operations including the planned buyout of its Glaverbel SA unit.

Announcing the reorganisation into two global strategic business units for flat glass and automotive glass, he said he has high expectations for a rise in profitability from the synergies effect and for greatly enhanced efficiencies by combining the group's three geographical poles.

Previously these poles - North America, Europe and Asia - were run independently.

Ishizu said he expects "a huge amount of profitability increase from the consolidation".

Asahi officials said examples of the increased profitability are to be found in the coordination of research and development activities between the geographical regions and in faster passing on of new market applications such as in glazing.

Ishizu said "it is hard to say a quantitative figure" for the estimated rise in profitability from the reorganisation.