About BASF

BASF is the world’s leading chemical company:  The Chemical Company. Its portfolio ranges from chemicals, plastics and performance products to agricultural
products, fine chemicals as well as oil and gas. As a reliable partner BASF helps its customers in virtually all industries to be more successful. With its high-value products  and intelligent solutions, BASF plays an important role in finding answers to global challenges such as climate protection, energy efficiency, nutrition and mobility. BASF posted sales of more than €62 billion in 2008 and had approximately 97,000 employees as of the end of the year. BASF shares are traded on the stock exchanges in Frankfurt (BAS), London (BFA) and Zurich (AN). Further information on BASF is available on the Internet at www.basf.com.

BASF Automotive Solutions

Performance Passion Success
BASF - The Chemical Company - is a leading-edge source of intelligent sustainable solutions to automotive manufacturers and their suppliers worldwide. With a full portfolio of technologies that include coatings, catalysts, engineering thermoplastics, polyurethanes, pigments and colorants, coolants and brake fluids for a broad array of exterior, interior, chassis and under-the-hood applications, BASF - The Chemical Company - develops and delivers the innovations that help the automotive industry improve the quality, appearance, safety, cost competitiveness, performance, comfort, fuel efficiency, sustainability. Website: www.automotive.basf.com

About Russel Reynolds Associates

Russell Reynolds Associates is a leading global executive search and assessment firm. We have more than 275 consultants based in 39 wholly owned offices across the Americas, Asia/Pacific and Europe. Our consultants conduct senior-level search and assessment assignments in a range of sectors for public and private organizations of all sizes.

With our deep knowledge of major industries and our commitment to outstanding client service, we ensure that our clients find and develop the best leadership teams for the ongoing success of their business.
For more information, please visit www.russellreynolds.com.

About Hessen Agentur (HA)

Hessen Agentur (HA) is the official economic development agency of the German state of Hessen. HA supports domestic and foreign companies to take advantage of the many unique benefits of doing business in Hessen by providing services such as

* location marketing & advisory service for investors, business cooperation mediation, EU consultation centers;
* advising on technology intensive industries such as biotechnology, IT, media or nanotechnology via state-initiatives;
* site, urban & regional development as well as applied economic research and advising on monetary promotion programmes.

Hessen is situated at the centre of the European market and is economically one of the strongest regions in Europe. The highest gross domestic product per head of the population has been generated here for years. Furthermore Hessen offers

* a huge market: more than 35 million consumers within 200 km
* gateway Frankfurt airport: Europe’s No. 1 cargo and Germany’s leading passenger airport
* a dense Chinese network with around 7.000 Chinese citizens, Chinese Consulate General, CCPIT (China council for the promotion of international trade)
* strong industries: Hessen is especially top in banking and finance, consulting, ICT, life sciences, biotech, logistics, automotive and chemical engineering
* a leading R&D region: more than 100 research institutes and 18 universities