ISS has expanded its international reach to Japan through a joint venture with Mitsui & Co., Ltd., Japan's largest company. The 50:50 jv, Bussan ISS Holding Co., Ltd., is to be built on an established cleaning and building maintenance company Nesco, which has 550 employees and an annual turnover of DKK 249 million (£21m 1999).

ISS reckons the market for outsourced facility services in Japan is worth over DKK 300bn (£25bn) annually. "Despite the general, economic slowdown, we see substantial potential in the Japanese facility services market," says Stuart Graham, ISS Group Chief Operational Officer, "With Mitsui & Co. we have found an exceptional and interested partner. By establishing this joint venture company we have taken the first step and simultaneously opened a door to future opportunities."

Mitsui & Co. Executive Vice President, Makoto Ejima, agrees: "The joint venture with ISS is well in line with our corporate vision to move boldly into the 21st century by establishing dynamic alliances with optimal partners. The expertise ISS brings along from their global business will be invaluable drivers for our mutual business interests".

Richard Byatt