Right Mix

Michel Raas is the managing director of Ferrostaal Piping Supply B.V. in Holland. The company is 100-percent owned by Ferrostaal AG in Essen, Germany, which itself is owned by MAN in Munich. From his previous experience, Raas is well familiar with the IPF atmosphere. His answers to our questions showed that he was satisfied with what he saw:

In Comparison: Compared with the previous forums, this one is unique in that the speakers are first class and you get to meet a lot of new people as well as the people from previous forums and ask them about their developments and progress. And in two days I can achieve more than I can if I traveled four weeks around the world.

Toward Ambitions: NPC is for sure on the right track to achieve its high ambitions. Now the oil and gas prices are all very good. I think now is the right time to do what they want to do. From my experience, NPC is a very well-educated and well-experienced partner. Also, financial-wise they know what they need and who to work with, and they work with fully professional people.

Business with Iranians: Iranian people are well-trained and the best purchasers in the world. They can negotiate for hours and hours, and they reach their target for sure. They are in my opinion real professionals. They also try to establish a long-running relationship and do not aim at just a single business deal.

IPF 2002: I think Iranians have to be careful if they intend for the IPF to grow bigger than it is now. NPC has here the right mix and right formula. I don’t think this should change too much. This is a first class environment where you can meet a lot of foreign people.