Cor Dillen

Cornelis Petrus Maria Dillen (born 9 August 1920) to Hendrika Maria Mullen and Pieter Johannes Dillen, came from humble beginnings to assume the position of Director of Philips, South America where he headed up the post-war international expansion of Philips in Argentina, Paraguay, Chile and Venezuela under then Philips N.V. Presidents Frits Philips (1961–1971), Henk van Riemsdijk (1971–1977) and Nico Rodenburg (1977–1982).

Life

The eldest of 11 children, and brother to international Dutch Footballer Coen Dillen, he was transferred from Philips's Headquarters in Eindhoven to Buenos Aires in 1949 to restructure the organisation's operations in Argentina. In 1963, he was promoted to the position of Director of Philips in Paraguay (1963–1971), Chile (1971–1974) and Venezuela (1974–1979)-- positions that he held until his retirement in 1979.

During his tenure as head of Philips in South America, he was instrumental in bringing Color television to the continent. Moreover whilst stationed in Chile between the years of 1971 and 1974, he prevented the nationalisation of the company during the Allende-Marxist Government, and steered the Chilean operations through tumultuous times including the Pinochet-Allende coup.

Awards and honours

In 1978, he was awarded the title of Officer of the Order of Oranje-Nassau by the Dutch ambassador to Venezuela in recognition of his meaningful contributions to the growth and the development of Philips in South America, and for his services to both Philips and the Netherlands.

Legacy and Death

In 1979, following 40 years of service to Philips he retired to Santiago, Chile with his second wife Sylvia Miquel-Dillen to take up the Directorship of a Chilean Bank, where he remained up until his death on 19 October 2009 at the age of 89.

Today he is succeeded by four children; Pieter Johannes Dillen, Dirk Hendrik Dillen, Gerardo Enrique Dillen and Carolina Maria Dillen.