JCN Aktuell, January 2008 - jcneckermann.de

AKTUELL
Informations January 08
V
A Celebration of the Future
Traditionally, holiday festivities are a
time to look back over the year that
has passed as well as look forward to
what the New Year has to bring. This
tradition had a special meaning at
J.C. Neckermann when it held the celebration
at the historical garden pavilion of
the Julius Spital in Wurzburg. Franciscan
clergyman Maximilian Bauer was invited,
not just as a guest, but as a family friend.
As he commented to the gathering, “The
M.N.VISIONEN
J.C.NECKERMANN
Best wishes and a rosy outlook for the biodiesel business,
and for new continental opportunities were celebrated at the
annual J.C. Neckermann Christmas party.
Neckermann family has always been a
friend to the Franciscan monastery. This
meant that we always had enough coal
and heating oil, for one thing, and that’s
how it began… (Note: The Neckermann
family has been a major supporter
of the Franciscan monastery
in Wurzburg since 1918.)…This relationship
has continued to this
day.” Father Maximilian went on to
offer a warm traditional holiday
Sabine Strick, F.A.Z.,
Financial Gates GmbH,
Prince Dah Bokpe of
Allada, Chief Represen-
tative for the King of Allada
(Republic of Benin),
Dorothea Renninger,
RZB Raiffeisen Zentral-
bank Austria, Chief
Representative Germany
und Dieter Heisig
blessing, saying “…the word ‘bless’ – benedicere
in Latin – literally means ‘to
speak well’. Thus, when I offer my blessing,
what I am doing is ‘speaking well’ of
that which is being blessed.”
By this definition, there were many
blessings offered both to the Neckermann
family and its enterprise this evening. A
moving highlight of the evening was the
moment when Johannes Neckermann –
self-described ‘family elder’ – came for-
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Johannes Neckermann, Klaus Schmuck, Manager Allianz Climate Solutions Group, with his wife, Marlene Neckermann, Dieter Heisig
Dr. Stephan Reimelt, Member of the Board Ferrostaal Essen, with
his wife Violetta, Helga Rabl and Klaus Moll, Director of the Board,
LURGI AG Frankfurt
Armin Ziegler, HYPO GROUP ALPE ADRIA AG and Rüdiger
Geserick, Director SKW Wittenberg Philipp Neckermann with Isabella Klingel
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J.C.NECKERMANN M.N.VISIONEN
Joachim Strautmann, Managing Director Dresdner Bank
Monaco, und Paula Read, Special Project Manager JCN

ward with a very special gift for Marlene
Neckermann and Dieter Heisig.
“It has been a Neckermann family
tradition to produce exceptional entrepreneurs
from time to time. In the midtwentieth
century, it was Josef Neckermann.
And now, at the dawn of the 21st
century, you two are genuine pioneers in
the biodiesel market. Your success in the
renewable energies sector will most certainly
become a part of family history, and
undoubtedly in history in general.
Forty-four years ago, in 1963 in Dortmund,
Josef Neckermann and his horse
Forster won a Grand Prix de Dressage
from the Minister of the Interior. Of all the
trophies my father won, this one seemed
the most appropriate to pass on. You two
have truly earned a Grand Prix in this
field. I know that Josef wouldn’t have hesitated
to give you a trophy if he could have
seen how completely you reflect his own
entrepreneurial spirit. I’ve had this trophy
engraved with the words: ‘Awarded to
Marlene Neckermann and Dieter Heisig
for exceptional entrepreneurial achievements.’
Philipp Neckermann, Johannes Neckermann, Marlene Neckermann and Dieter
Heisig
“The outlook for the upcoming year is
spectacular,” said Dieter Heisig as he
spoke to the gathering of friends and partners
of J.C. Neckermann. He went on to
introduce the emissary of a new project,
Prince Dah Bokpe of Allada, Chief Representative
for the King of Allada (Republic
of Benin). Mr. Heisig continued, “Africa is
a continent which is often underestima-
ted. But biodiesel can be made from jatropha
as well as rapeseed. And we will be
starting a jatropha cultivation program in
Benin as soon as possible – something
that will benefit the people of Benin and
Africa.”
This project reflects the ethical beliefs
of both Marlene Neckermann and Dieter
Heisig, in part because “it is very import-
Mr. Christian Schimik, Dr. Pia Beckmann, Würzburg Mayor and Dr. Stephan Reimelt, Member of the Board Ferrostaal Essen
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Prince Dah Bokpe of Allada with his daughters Ina and Anna
Prince Dah Bokpe with his daughters, Marlene and Philipp
Neckermann in the historic wine cellar
Dieter Heisig and Father Maximilian Bauer of the Franciscan Monastery
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Lawyer Prof. Hans-Benno Ulbrich with his wife and Joachim Spatz,
head of the FDP party in the Würzburg city council, with his wife
Dieter and Ursula Knispel, Fa. R. Schröder, Hamburg,
and Johannes Neckermann

Franz Brosch, Director of the Bavarian Business
Association and Dieter Heisig
ant that we find (biofuel) products which
do not compete with the food market.”
“We will do our best to show the world
something completely new.” Prince Dah
Bokpe described the complexity and
benefits of the J.C.N. jatropha project in
Benin. “This project will not increase food
prices, but will make use of something
already available, and develop it as needed.”
(Ed. Note: Jatropha is a tropical and
sub-tropical native plant, and provides
plant oil for one of the most efficient biofuels
in the world.) We are at the beginning
of an undertaking that can make a real difference,
and this makes me very happy. I
would like to ask you all to help us, to walk
with us. The first step must always be
taken. Good intentions are not what lift
our spirits – what we need is action,
strengthened with the willingness to take
a chance. When we help change things
for the better, we don’t just do something
for ourselves, we uplift society as a
whole.”
Future projects, both for business and
pleasure, were discussed over traditional
regional dishes such as trout, wine cream
soup, roast goose and spiced ice cream.
Father Maximilian opened the feast with
the words, “I wish you all many good
thoughts, and may you exchange many
good words, friendly glances and have a
blessed evening.” These wishes seemed
to be fulfilled for all present. ◆
Working to improve German-African relations
Prince Dah Bokpe of Allada was born in Cotonou, Benin,
in 1962. He studied at the Karl Marx University in
Leipzig and the renowned School for Transport Engineering
in Gotha, completing a master’s degree in
Engineering. His continued his training in transportation
planning at the Berlin Technical University. He
also deepened his studies of the humanities. Prince Dah
Bokpe never lost his deep attachment to his homeland
or to the African continent, and has contributed his time
to assisting development in business, tourism and technology
transfer in Benin and other African nations.
In Germany and Africa alike, Prince Dah Bokpe has
founded numerous businesses, including a German and
African bank. He oversees and supports the Prince Dah
Bokpe of Allada Foundation, he is the Chief Representative
for European affairs for the King of Allada, and
has acted as International Executive Secretary for the
Académie Diplomatique Africaine since January 2007.
Armin Ziegler, HYPO GROUP ALPE ADRIA AG, director Roger Fritz and
Antje Geyrhalter, HYPO GROUP ALPE ADRIA AG AG
FESTIVE FACTS
Benin, formerly known as Daho-
mey, was an African kingdom
before becoming first a French colony
and then one of West
Africaʼs model democracies. Beninʼs
population voted for
political change in 1990, and a
presidential, multi-party democracy
was established. Free elections
and a free market system were instituted
and guarantees made
for freedom of opinion, freedom of
assembly and freedom of the
press. The Republic of Benin is
located on the Bight of Benin, and
has a territory of approximately
112,680 square kilometers. The
country of seven million borders
Nigeria, Niger, Burkina Faso and
Togo. Ninety percent of the economy
is based on agricultural production,
with cotton being the
primary export crop. Aside from the
intensively farmed areas between
the coast and the Atakora Mountains,
the countryside is mostly
savannah.
Jatropha carcas, known as the
Barbados or Physic nut, is a robust
shrub that does well in arid climates.
It requires little to thrive,
and can be used to produce an oil
with a 60 octane level (compare
this to rapeseed at 30-40 octane).
This makes it one of the most
effective bio-oils in the world.
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On October 1, 2007, the Saxony-Anhalt
Minister for Economics and Employment
and the Minnesota Commissioner
for Agriculture signed a memorandum
of understanding regarding the clean
energy and biofuels sectors. A model
partnership was born.
J.C.Neckermann laid the cornerstone
for the future of biofuel in 2004 with its first
biodiesel refinery in Halle an der Saale
(Saxony-Anhalt). The second refinery in
Wittenberg, the largest integrated refinery
and oil mill in the world, catapulted the
German state into national leadership
when it comes to biofuel production. The
growing state has many similarities with
the US state of Minnesota, especially
when it comes to being at the forefront of
clean energy.
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United We Stand
J.C.Neckermann initiated a partnership for clean
energy and biofuels between Saxony-Anhalt in Germany and
Minnesota in the United States.
According to the project team for the
International-Regional Partnership Saxony-Anhalt
& Minnesota (IPSAM), “Both
states have led the way in their respective
nations when it comes to the development
and support of biofuels. Both are ardent
supporters of biofuel research and development,
and both states have a dynamic
agricultural industry. A partnership for
clean energy and biofuels could benefit
both sides, both in the area of renewable
Dr. Reiner Haseloff,
Minster for Economy
and Employment for
Saxony-Anhalt,
Minnesota Governor
Pawlenty, Alfred
Schwan of Schwan’s
Food Company
and Minnesota
Commissioner for
Agriculture Gene
Hugoson
energies and in the economic development
of the respective states.”
The project team for this very promising
partnership has developed a detailed
A Clean Energy Partnership
that sets new standards. Dr.Reiner Haseloff
concept for the upcoming collaboration.
J.C.Neckermann, with its considerable
experience in the energy sector and comprehensive
practical background in executing
large-scale projects, will provide
the administrative support for the partnership.
American project coordinator

Paula Read has supervised a variety of
international renewable energy projects
and has many years of experience in
communications. The third partnership
support partner is the Earth Council Geneva
(ECG), a member of the worldwide
Earth Council, founded in 1992 at the UN
summit in Rio de Janeiro. With its trailblazing
international center for e-learning,
the ECG acts to improve awareness and
capacities for meeting global energy and
environmental challenges. Since its founding
in 2001, over 5000 participants have
taken ECG online courses for government
and business employees in several
languages. (See http://earthcouncil.com
for more information.)
The main objectives of the partnership
project are an indication of the vast
“The main objectives of the IPSAM
project are an indication of the vast potential of
this trans-Atlantic collaboration.”
potential of this trans-Atlantic collaboration.
The partnership will:
� Foster industrial development,
exchange and initiatives
� Support research and development
of new technologies
� Encourage biofuel crop cultivation in
the agriculture community as well as
exchange experience to improve results
� Increase awareness of clean energy
and biofuel issues among all stakeholders
� Create a replicable model for international
collaboration:
The schedule is ambitious, and many
individual projects are planned for 2008.◆
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A woman with vision
American environmental strategist Paula Read works with J.C.Neckermann to develop collaborative
projects with international perspectives.
„ Many regions around the world have policy exchange, workshops for clean
found diverse solutions to the global energy, discussion forums between agri-
energy and environmental challenges cultural experts, and information pro-
they face. Some are developing solutions grams.
which have already been optimized else- The partnership projects are set to
where. We want to build bridges and sup- begin within the next few months. “We hope
port the exchange of knowledge and ex- to create a model with this collaboration,”
perience in these areas. The goal is to explains Read. “International, regional
help accelerate the implementation of partnerships can be highly productive.
workable solutions. National energy and This collaboration is meant to be prac-
environmental policies are very important, tical: It is oriented towards tangible re-
but initial solutions and initiatives often sults. We want to see real business devel-
start at a regional level. This is true in both opment, new investment potential, know-
the United States and Germany. Many regions
also share climatic and economic
parameters – this is certainly the case
with Minnesota and Saxony-Anhalt.”
ledge exchange that accelerates the
Paula Read, who has a master’s degree
in Environmental Decision-Making,
has worked on forward-looking projects
with J.C.Neckermann since 1997.
She has shared the Neckermann family’s
interest in environmental issues from the
beginning, and has a deep respect for the
loyalty and long-term relationships that
exist between JCN and its partners. “And
we will see even greater success in the future…,”
she says.
Avariety of biofuel, innovative technology
and alternative biofuel crop projects
are currently underway, and the partnership
project is about to be officially
launched. Describing the development of
the state partnership, Ms. Read explained,
“I visited both states a number of
times, and saw a many similarities: The
objectives and initiatives when it came to
new strategies for energy and fuels, similar
issues in the agricultural sector, and a
similar climate. There are also historical
and cultural ties – for example, over half of
Minnesota’s population is of German descent.
Minnesota was also interested in forming
a partnership with one of Europe’s leading
regions for new energies.
The project will foster academic and
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implementation of new technologies while
saving time and money.”
The American strategist, who is based
in France, believes in realistic goals.
“Sometimes, collaborations are endangered
from the start because the objectives are
too vague, or because no one is making
sure milestones are being met. With JCN
as an administrative partner, and the support
we have gotten from both partner states
at the very highest level, I am sure that
this partnership will provide a model for international
cooperation in this field.” ◆
“And we
will see even
greater
success in
the future…”

Outstanding
entrepreneur of taste:
Johannes Neckermann
is a member of the
Confrérie des Chevaliers
du Tastevin.
Johannes Neckermann is the son of Josef
Neckermann, one of Germany’s
most successful businessmen of the 20th
century. The younger Neckermann
settled in Schuyler Lake, New York, to
pursue his life’s passions: art, wine and
innovative ideas.
Neckermann Consulting offers an
eclectic mix of services. At the same time,
it highlights one of the tenets of the
Neckermann family philosophy, namely,
that culture and pleasure are an integral
part of success! Johnannes Neckermann
brings international experience, long-term
business relationships and boundless enthusiasm
to everything he does. A graduate
of the New York University School of
Commerce and a member of Rotary International,
his ties to both American and international
business interests run deep.
He has been chosen as a Paul Harris Fellow,
a Rotary award for outstanding service.
Neckermann International Business
Consulting provides comprehensive services
to trans-Atlantic business interests,
assisting in the choice and development
of ideal business locations, international
contacts and marketing strategies.
Neckermann Old Master Painting
Consulting specializes in the masters of
17th and 18th century art. It is considered
to be the leading authority on the Rüdisühli
artist family of the Basel School.
The best choice of business locations in
upstate New York
A genuine passion
The Neckermann family tradition of producing outstanding
entrepreneurs is carried on in the United States: Johannes
Neckermann is a successful consultant for artworks by the
great masters, exceptional wines and forward-thinking business
concepts and partners.
The consulting team offers expert advice valued all over the world. Neckermann
to collectors and art dealers, completes holds numerous seminars, and teaches
reports on works by Italian masters from the Wine Wise course at the State Univer-
the 17 – 19th centuries, resity
of New York. He also
stores paintings, and pro-
trains sommeliers, consults
vides artwork appraisals.
top restaurants on the best
Johannes Neckermann
wines for their cellars, and
gained the necessary expert-
assists wine collectors in
ise for his Neckermann Wine
making the right investment
Consulting from Grand Seig-
choices. On the more private
neur of Burgund Charles
side, this vast oenological
Piat, who helped guide him
knowledge is expressed in
into the illustrious circle of
the form of Château Necker-
the Confrérie des Chevaliers
du Tastevin. More recently,
Neckermann has assumed
the chairmanship of the Italian
L’Ordine della Vite.
The experience gained
during forty years as a top
Johannes
Neckermann is a
world-class
consultant for
trans-Atlantic
relationships.
mann Private Label, a collaborative
effort between
Neckermann and Hermann
Wiemer, one of the best US
winemakers. The wine is produced
at Finger Lake, New
York. See
wine connoisseur is highly
www.neckermann.org ◆
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Red carpet for bio-energy in China
The Science & Technology Symposium in Jiangyin City was a demonstration of shared efforts
in energy and environmental protection. Saxony-Anhalt and Jiangyin signed a Letter of Intent
to cooperate, and Philipp Neckermann was roundly applauded for his presentation of
GATE/JCN activities.
The outlook was bright for the delegation
from Saxony-Anhalt when they
visited China from October 24 to November
4, 2007. The 17th Science & Technology
Festival and Science & Technology
Promotion Conference for Energy-Saving
& Environmental Protection in Jiangyin
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J.C.NECKERMANN M.N.VISIONEN
City offered the ideal opportunity to discuss
shared interests and goals. Secretary
of State Schubert from the Saxony-
Anhalt Ministry of Economics and Employment
and his Chinese counterpart,
Party Secretary Zhu, signed a letter of intent
for cooperation in the fields of energy
2
Secretary of State
Schubert from the
Saxony-Anhalt
Ministry of Economics
and Employment
and the business delegation
are welcomed
in Jiangyin City.
and the environment. Together, they presented
the newly founded Environment
and Energy Technology Center.
The business delegation made a
number of interesting contacts, with an
eye towards practical collaborations. Philipp
Neckermann’s presentation on

3
GATE/J.C.Neckermann activities in the
bio-energy sector was highly praised. He
spoke about what JCN Renewables had to
offer the economic tiger of the East when it
comes to experience and technological expertise.
The future-oriented strategies and
performance statistics from the refineries
in Halle/Saale and Wittenberg provided
persuasive arguments. But it wasn’t all business:
Both sides developed a deep regard
and respect for one another. As Philipp
Neckermann remarked in his travel journal,
“Our hosts throughout the entire trip, from
Jiangyin City, to Beijing, to Qingdao and
Shanghai, were friendly, warm, attentive
and very hospitable.”
Following a final meeting and a farewell
feast in Beijing, the German delegation returned
home, looking forward to deepening
the East-West relationship. ◆
“Our hosts
throughout the entire
trip, from Jiangyin
City, to Beijing, to
Qingdao and
Shanghai, were
friendly, warm,
attentive and very
hospitable.”
Philipp Neckermann
Secretary of State Detlef
Schubert and Party Secretary Zhu
present the Partnership for Saxony-
Anhalt and China.
Philipp Neckermann and Bettina
Quäschning, Marketing Division
for Saxony-Anhalt Ministry of
Economics and Employment, IMG,
and their hosts
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M.N.VISIONEN
Equestrian Fame, Version 2008
The latest project for Marlene Neckermannʼs M.N.Visionen explores the life of an exceptional
hero, who rose to world fame on the back of proud Lipizzaner horses.
The Neckermann family’s ‘other’ passion
is creative: M.N.Visionen is the
in-house production company for music
and film. The company consistently produces
high quality projects, including the
recent film, Klimt, which starred John Malkovich
and Veronica Ferres. The latest
project taps into a part of the family’s own
history, the passion for horses.
Mane Majesty - The life of Franz Ackerl,
Lipizzaner master
Franz Ackerl knew as a child that he
wanted to ride horses. He served in the
Austrian cavalry, and following WWI, he
was assigned to the Spanish Riding
School in Vienna to train horses in the
classic school of riding. A virtual Errol
Flynn of horseback riding, Ackerl soon
made a name for himself in Berlin as rider
and trainer. He was in close contact with
the German aristocracy, and in high demand
as a riding instructor amongst wellbred
ladies and their daughters.
Resisting the siren call of the sweet
life, Ackerl applied his abilities and his
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breathtaking Lipizzaner horses to the
world of the circus. Giving up a life of
European aristocracy to travel around the
world with his circus troupe, he gained renown
as an athlete, a businessman and a
womanizer. But Ackerl’s relationship to
his horses was far more profound than to
most humans. He had a deep instinct for
their character, their feelings, and did
everything he could to ensure the wellbeing
of the animals in his charge, even if
it meant risking his own life. He braved
bomb attacks to rescue his horses, and
even led them by foot from Hungary to
Dresden to save them.
A story of romantic entanglements
and drama, deep insights into the relationship
between humans and animals,
the remarkable determination of performers
to carry on with the show no matter
what. A film that brings to light the elite life
inside the Spanish Riding School in
Vienna, the intimate circus world and the
very special relationship between high society
and riding. And, finally, the story of a
man to whom nothing was more important
A family affair: The recently completed riding stables of M.N. Visonen - Marlene Neckermann
will be immortalized when film shooting begins there in summer 2008.
than making his dreams become reality.
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A family affair
The new riding stables of M.N.Visionen
– Marlene Neckermann, rebuilt on
medieval foundations in the Frankish region
of Germany, will be the location for
the film production, scheduled to begin in
summer 2008. Ms. Neckermann is herself
a dressage rider. ◆
V
AKTUELL
J.C.NECKERMANN M.N.VISIONEN
IMPRINT
Publisher:
J.C. Neckermann GmbH & Co KG,
Sterngasse 3
97070 Würzburg,
Telefon: 0931 / 40 48 690
E-mail: info@jcneckermann.de
M.N.Visionen
Sterngasse 3
97070 Würzburg
Telefon: 0931 / 970 97 87
www.dieter-heisig.com
Editor:
Redaktionsbüro Niemeier
Rothenwörth
Telefon 08722 / 910103
E-mail: info@rb-niemeier.de
Copy:
Redaktionsbüro Niemeier
Design:
Max Handschuh (MaxDesign),
Telefon 0821 / 66 74 99
Fax: 0821 / 66 10 91 31
E-mail: mhandschuh@t-online.de
Photos:
Rudi Merkl, Thomas Veszelits, Philipp
Neckermann
Reproductions:
Repro Bayer
Lindwurmstrasse 88
80337 München
Telefon: 089 / 74 60 139
Fax: 089 / 74 60 625
E-mail: info@bayermedia.de
Printing:
Druckerei Hügelschäffer GmbH
An der Schießstätte 1-3
D-97350 Mainbernheim
E-mail: info@huegelschaeffer-online.de
Telefon: ++49 (0)9323 / 8716-0
The paper for J.C.Neckermann and M.N.Visionen
Aktuell was made using cellulosic material from
sustainable forests.