OREANDA-NEWS. August 15, 2012. Hitachi Europe Ltd. announced its sponsorship of the German football team Dusseldorfer Turn- und Sportverein Fortuna 1895 e.V. (Fortuna Dusseldorf) in the Bundesliga. Hitachi Europe is sponsoring Fortuna Dusseldorf in partnership with Hitachi Metals Europe GmbH, Hitachi Chemical Europe GmbH, Hitachi High-Technologies Europe GmbH, Hitachi Transport System (Europe) B.V and Hitachi Air Conditioning Europe, SAS.

Fortuna Dusseldorf's home ground is located in Dusseldorf city, the capital of Germany's largest state, North Rhine-Westphalia. The club has enjoyed a long history since its foundation in 1895. Club highlights include reaching the finals of the German Championship four times, winning once in 1933, and finishing second in the UEFA Cup Winners' Cup in 1979. The club was first promoted to the Bundesliga in 1966. It climbed back to the 2nd division for the 2008/09 season. This year, Fortuna Dusseldorf returns to the top-level Bundesliga for the first time in 15 years.

Dusseldorf is Hitachi's most important European base outside London. Hitachi has eleven group companies and some 500 employees within Dusseldorf city.

Akira Shimizu, Managing Director of Hitachi Europe, said, “Hitachi Europe has a strong presence in Dusseldorf and we feel an affinity towards Fortuna Dusseldorf football club, which enjoys strong support from the citizens of the city. The club is making a worthy return to the Bundesliga this season, and we have high expectations that it will breathe new life into Germany's national sport. I look forward to sharing the club's success with the success of Hitachi Group companies in Europe.”

Peter Frymuth, CEO of Fortuna Dusseldorf, added, “Through this partnership with Hitachi, Infront has secured one of the world's largest companies to stand alongside our ambitious club. The long-term commitment, stretching beyond the current season, demonstrates Hitachi's confidence in our club and in our team. Fortuna Dusseldorf's surge in popularity and the strong media attention surrounding the Bundesliga will help us to repay that trust. In addition, this partnership positively reflects the efforts of the club's dedicated ‘Japan desk' in Dusseldorf - as it is one of the biggest Japanese communities in Germany.”

The Hitachi logo and other branding will be displayed in the corners of the pitch, on two giant screens, and on rotating TV boards along the sidelines and goal line. The Hitachi logo will also appear on the sponsor boards (for TV-interviews within the stadium, in the mixed-zone, and during press-conferences) as well as the club homepage, tickets, and official magazines.