Evergreen Group

Infobox_Company
company_name = Evergreen Group
company_
company_type = Public
foundation = 1968
location = Taipei, Taiwan
key_people = Dr. Chang Yung-fa (Chairman)
num_employees =
industry = Transport
Hotel
products = Shipping
Cargo
Freight distribution
Air transportation
Hotel
revenue =
subsid = Evergreen Marine
EVA Air
UNI Air
Evergreen International
Evergreen Aviation Technologies
Evergreen Air Services
Evergreen Air Cargo Services
homepage = http://www.evergreen.com.tw/

The Evergreen Group is the organizational designation used by a Taiwan-based conglomerate of shipping, transportation, and associated service companies. The Evergreen Group arose in 1975 from the diversification of the original Evergreen Marine Corporation, which was established in 1968 and currently operates as the world's fourth largest containerized-freight shipping company. Today, the Evergreen Group encompasses the Evergreen Marine Corporation, Evergreen International Corporation, EVA Air, Evergreen Aviation Technologies Corporation, Evergreen Air Services Corporation, Evergreen Air Cargo Services Corporation, and Evergreen International Storage and Services Corporation. [ [http://www.evergreen.com.tw/ www.evergreen.com.tw/] ] Additional divisions and subsidiaries exist within several Evergreen Group companies, such as Uniglory Shipping Corporation and Uni Air.

Evergreen Marine Corporation

S.p.A.

Evergreen International Corporation

Evergreen International Corporation includes Evergreen International Hotels, which operates the chain of Evergreen hotels and resorts worldwide, a Cultural Development Division, and the Evergreen Symphonic Orchestra.

Evergreen International Hotels

:

Taiwan

* Evergreen Laurel Hotel, Taipei
* Evergreen Laurel Hotel, Taichung
* Evergreen Laurel Hotel, Keelung
* Evergreen Plaza Hotel, Tainan City
* Evergreen Transit Hotel, Taoyuan

Japan

* Evergreen Marinoa Hotel, Fukuoka

Thailand

* Evergreen Laurel Hotel, Bangkok

Malaysia

* Evergreen Laurel Hotel, Penang

France

* Evergreen Laurel Hotel, Paris12

EVA Air

. The parent company of EVA Air, EVA Airways Corporation, has extensive synergies with the Evergreen Aviation Technologies Corporation, Evergreen Air Services Corporation, and Evergreen Air Cargo Services Corporation.

UNI Air

, operating a network of intra-Taiwan routes and flights to several international destinations in the Southeast Asian region.

Evergreen Aviation Technologies Corporation

In 1998, Evergreen Group's EVA Air partnered with General Electric to form the Evergreen Aviation Technologies Corporation (EGAT), a heavy maintenance and aircraft overhaul service. EGAT provides safety, repair, and refit services for EVA Air and other airlines' aircraft. In 2006, Boeing awarded EGAT an exclusive contract to convert three Boeing 747-400 aircraft into ultra-large Boeing 747 Large Cargo Freighter Dreamlifters for the new Boeing 787 Dreamliner program.

Evergreen Air Services Corporation

Evergreen Air Services Corporation provides logistical and material support in the airline industry.

Evergreen Air Cargo Services Corporation

Evergreen Air Cargo Services Corporation provides logical and material support in the air cargo industry.

History

Dr Chang Yung-fa, Chairman of the Evergreen Group, was born in Taiwan in 1927. After graduating from Taipei Commercial High School at the age of 18, he went to work in the Taipei office of a Japanese shipping line.

After World War II, he joined the seagoing staff of a local shipping company as 3rd officer. His subsequent career was spent with various local companies and he progressed smoothly through the ranks to 2nd officer, chief officer and eventually to captain.

Foundation of Evergreen Marine Corporation

In 1961, Chang and some friends jointly established a shipping company and having helped this company to develop, he decided to branch out on his own, establishing Evergreen Marine Corporation on September 1, 1968 with just one secondhand 15,000 dwt vessel, Central Trust.

Over the next four years, Chang built his fleet up to 12 vessels, running them empty when necessary to convince his customers his services were both as regular as clockwork and as reliable as the sunset. Within a year, he had expanded to the Middle East. Within three, Chang was dispatching Evergreen ships to the Caribbean.

The founder of Evergreen displayed innovation and far-sightedness that led not only to him building up the world's largest container ship fleet, but also one of the world's most technologically-advanced; one that permits him to set the pace that others can only learn to follow.

Back in 1975, Chang realized that containerisation was the way forward. He built four advanced S-type container ships and launched his US East Coast service. Fifteen months later, he added the US West Coast to his network, just at a time when Americans were developing a real taste for the economical, well-made products fast pouring out of Asian factories.

Europe followed in 1979 and Evergreen quietly prospered much to the consternation of the established lines from Europe and the United States who could not match his prices and service.

By 1984 he started his most ambitious service yet - two 80-day round-the-world services, one circling the globe in an easterly direction, the other westward. Departing every 10 days, the 20 G-type container ships he employed had a capacity of 2,728 containers each and could travel at a speed of 20.5 knots.

Even Chang's rivals acknowledge his skill, not only in predicting market trends but also in ensuring the appropriate infrastructure and technology.

The name "Evergreen" stands for life and vitality in Chinese culture. Green also happens to be Chang's favourite colour. All his containers are painted green, and even his headquarters in Taipei is covered with green tiles. Evergreen employees speak almost reverently of Chang, praising his wisdom, intelligence, modesty and egalitarian spirit.

Chang alone sets the rigorous standards for all new employees. Fresh graduates are hired direct from Taiwan's universities. Applications far outstrip jobs available but the lucky few are well rewarded for their talents, commitment and dedication.

As the company has grown, Chang is no longer able to make all the business decisions alone as he did in the early days and recognises the need to delegate responsibility. He has chosen his top executives well and has the confidence to allow them considerable freedom in handling Evergreen's international operations.

It comes, perhaps, as no surprise that a man who has shown an uncanny flair for far-sightedness throughout this career, would realise that Evergreen was approaching its limits for seaborne expansion. So Chang took a step back and began looking around for new opportunities, first on land and then in the skies.

"We are diversifying into international business," Chang said at the time, "including hotels, resorts, leisure businesses and the service industry -- all non-polluting industries."

Expansion and formation of Evergreen Group

The Evergreen Group has expanded beyond the shipping industry to encompass operations in energy development, air transport, hotels and resort services. This international conglomerate based on the integrated development of services on land, sea, and air has built an enviable reputation for outstanding performance. The country’s first private international airline, EVA Airways Corporation was established on March 8, 1989 and on July 1, 1991, formally inaugurated its first flight and began a new era of national commercial aviation.

EVA Airway’s main principles are those of “flight safety and speed, warm and complete service, effective and innovative operation,” and we demand their application throughout all of our operations. The company is now recognised as one of the world’s best airlines. From its inception, EVA Airways unstintingly invested in flight safety, quality of service and related software equipment, business management and personnel training.

In line with the development of its airline industry, Evergreen has become the first Taiwanese enterprise to gain a worldwide foothold in the hotel industry, capitalising on the group’s 25 years of experience in international shipping and its unique universal vision.

Harking back to the ancient Roman custom of awarding wreaths of laurel to heroes and poets, the Evergreen Group names its hotels “Laurel” to symbolise the fine design, extensive facilities and personalised service. For business or pleasure, guests can enjoy Evergreen’s luxurious and warm service all over the world.

In 1998, Evergreen purchased the Italian shipping line Lloyd Triestino renaming as Italia Marittima S.p.A on 1 March 2006, thus providing it with a firm foothold in the European Union. It consolidated this position in 2002 with the establishment of Hatsu Marine in London, a UK-flag shipping company that today operates some of the largest and most sophisticated vessels in the Evergreen Group fleet. The Evergreen Group, with over 18,000 employees and more than 240 offices/agents worldwide, now comprises over 50 major corporations worldwide, three of which are listed on the Taipei Stock Exchange.

External links

* [http://www.evergreen.com.tw/ EVERGREEN GROUP]
* [http://www.evergreen-hotels.com/ EVERGREEN INTERNATIONAL HOTELS]
* [http://www.orchestra.evergreen.com.tw/ EVERGREEN SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA]
* [http://www.egat.com.tw/html/ENG/home.htm/ EVERGREEN AVIATION TECHNOLOGIES CORP]

References