January 2004 - Association of Dutch Businessmen

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DOING BUSINESS IN… travelled on the same ship as the retired director of the Bank of Java, N.P. van den Berg. During the trip, Zijlker convinced Van den Berg of the prospects of his petroleum venture in Sumatra. In the Netherlands, Van den Berg introduced Zijlker to bankers Gerard Dunlop and Edouard Boissevain. They were prepared to invest each for more than 400.000 guilders. Zijlker and his brother also took part, so that in the end a total of 1,3 million guilders were raised. On June 16 1890 a new company was founded, the Royal Dutch Company for Exploitation of Oil Resources in the Netherlands Indies. Zijlker brought in his concession for which he received 171.000 guilders and shares. Zijlker travelled back to Sumatra to find other areas in Sumatra for exploration. It took another two years before the well in Talaga Toenggal officially started producing. But getting production started had not been easy. Workers at the spot had to improvise with little means and were troubled by tropical storms, mosquitoes and disease. Production started slowly because the lack of capital. The petroleum was refined at the spot in a new built refinery. The In February 1907, the Royal Dutch, which by that time exploited several oil fields and refineries, merged with Shell, a British company which had tankers and also the ability to market the oil, into a new company called the Royal Dutch Shell. Drilling at Telaga Said 1893 At the drilling floor beginnings can lead to big business most important product of the company during the first ten years was Crown Oil, which was sold all over Asia, but especially to Singapore and Penang. Only after raising new capital by selling more shares, production could be increased and activities broadened. This first well would later be known as Telaga Said I, and was the first production site of the Royal Dutch. It would produce oil for more than half a century. During the 1890s a sales department was erected, and the company started to build its own tanker fleet to transport the oil. In 1894 the first profit was made of half a million guilders. A new oilfield was opened in Perlak in North-Sumatra in 1896. By then the company had really started expanding as a result of increasing demand of fuel from Europe. To meet this demand a refinery was build in Rotterdam in 1902. In February 1907, the Royal Dutch, which by that time exploited several oil fields and refineries, merged with Shell, a British company which had tankers and also the ability to market the oil, into a new company called the Royal Dutch Shell. The two companies merged their interests on a 60:40 basis while keeping their separate identities. Throughout the early twentieth century, the Group expanded with acquisitions in Europe, Africa and the Americas. These were exciting times for the oil industry, as the mass production of cars had opened up a vast new market. The 1920s and 1930s were expansion years, with Shell businesses in new regions and new industry sectors; Shell’s first foray into chemicals began in 1929. Today, Royal Dutch and Shell Transport owns investments in numerous companies in which are collectively referred to as the Royal Dutch/Shell Group of Companies. Shell operates in more than 145 countries and territories around the world and employs more than 115,000 people. Aeilco Zijlker would not live to see the success of the Royal Dutch. In December 1890, not long after the founding of the company, Zijlker suddenly died in Singapore, while travelling from Sumatra to Batavia. Singapore would be the last restingplace of this pioneer in the modern petroleum industry in Southeast Asia. By Dorien Knaap First brands of the Royal Dutch Sources: H. Gabriëls, Koninklijke Olie: de eerste honderd jaar (1890-1990) (‘s Gravenhage 1990) W. Wennekes, De aartsvaders. Grondleggers van het Nederlandse bedrijfsleven (Amsterdam 1997). www.shell.com 11 Vol.14 • No. 1 • January 2004
10 QUESTIONS 2 x 5 =10Questions To …Rob Nijst and Lieke Rijken By Walter Moone In January two highly appreciated board member, Lieke Rijken (Honorary Secretary) and Rob Nijst (Honorary Treasurer), will leave Singapore and the ADB. In this months’ 10 Questions To’ we take the opportunity to look back at their stay in Singapore and their work for the ADB and look forward to the new challenges ahead of them and the future of the ADB. 5 Questions to Lieke Rijken Can you give us a short insight of 1 your time in Singapore? I find it an enormous opportunity, both in a professional and a personal way that I had the possibility to stay for a while in Asia. To live and work in a totally different culture, with different people, really opens your mind. You learn that things can be done differently, that people think and act differently but also that a lot of things are the same where ever you go. But also Laksa, Chicken Rice, Hang Boa, cheap taxi’s, expensive wines, the queues for the 10% discount at the petrol stations, SARS, efficient Changi and no chewing gum (very difficult for a person formally responsible for Sportlife!). What are your plans now you leave 2 Singapore? First we go for a long holiday to Australia and New Zealand, then we will head to the Netherlands to continue our careers over there. What achievements as a board 4 member of the ADB make you proud and are there things you wanted but failed to achieve? I am proud of the very interesting program of the last year with outstanding events. What I wanted but failed to realise (especially for me as a female board member!) is that we did not get the name changed. What tips do you have 5 for the future of the ADB? The board is revising its strategy, which has some very interesting elements in it. Watch these developments closely! What will be your fondest 3 memories of living in Singapore? We will miss our Black and White house, the waving palms in our garden, and having breakfast every morning on the veranda. 12 Vol.14 • No. 1 • January 2004
Page 1 and 2: January 2004 MITA 373/03/2001 COMPA
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Page 5 and 6: REVIEW The competitive advantage Vo
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January 2004 - Association of Dutch Businessmen

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