Today’s interview features Catherine Horgen, Vice President of Microsoft, who talks about Microsoft’s perceptions of the IT service industry in China and the company’s five tech support centers now serving the US, Japan, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and China. She talks about the importance and success of the China center in particular.

Recently, Rabobank acquired a 10% stake in the United Rural Cooperative Bank of Hangzho. What are the future possibilities for international banking and rural cooperatives? We interviewed Bert Heemskerk, Chairman of Rabobank to talk about the issues involved and Rabobank’s further plans in China.

The Broadway musical and stage dramas presented in the famous New York City theatre district have grown to be an US $8 billion/per year industry. In China, a co-venture between Broadway Asia and one of New York City’s largest musical producers has been named Broadway Asia Entertainment. We spoke with Thomas Viertel, CEO of the newly formed company. He tells of their plans to indroduce a full schedule of Broadway’s musical drama productions to China’s stages within three years.

China’s pottery industry is among the oldest in the world. However, in terms of operations and profitability, international ceramics manufacturing giants such as Villeroy & Boch of Germany are highly respected. The company boasts a proud history of more than 250 years. We talked with CEO Vendelin von Boch, the 8^th generation successor to the leadership of the esteemed company, to learn about the key points in their development around the world and how factory automation may affect the company.

 

The security industry is one of the most profitable in China, surpassing even the lucrative telecom industry. The international industry leader at about $11 billion US per year, Tyco Fire & Security has new strategies to expand its market share in China, where it has done business since 1983. Our interview with Mark Berry, Tyco???s top executive in China gives an in-depth look at Tyco???s plans.

More and more foreign capital is pouring into China’s expansion in engineering projects and infrastructure construction. Parsons Brinckerhoff is among the earliest entrants (1983) into this area of building the new China and has been involved in over 300 large projects since that time. Our interview is with Tom O’Neil, President and CEO of Parsons Brinckerhoff, who shares with us his company’s plans and strategies for China operations. He expects their revenues to continue to grow at 10% per year in China, from their current $100 million per year.