Robert Kleemaier (asker) Nov 12, 2010:

backgrounder Can't give any direct quotes, Phil, but the preceding sentence refers to the acquisition of the offices/branches in NL of one or more competitors, which are then 'grafted' onto the organisational structure of the NL company in question. Presumably the recipient co. is the subsidiary of a holding co. The context thereafter doesn't shed any further light on the corporate structures, but it does discuss the impact of the transfer(s) on the pension schemes of the incoming employees as they are absorbed into the new co. HTH.

philgoddard Nov 12, 2010:

It would help if we had some context - what comes before and after this? Does it not go on to elaborate in the next sentence?

Jack den Haan Nov 12, 2010:

Oops, I overlooked the fact you mentioned that Y is indeed a company...

Jack den Haan Nov 12, 2010:

It depends... In my view it would depend on whether Y is a geographical place name, Robert. If that is the case, then yes, your source term would mean "at a great distance". If Y is not a geographical place name, but, for example, a company name, the sentence could refer to an organisational structure in which X and Y are only remotely related, probably through some sort of network of subsidiary companies. In that case, I don't think 'at a great distance' would work. Perhaps something like 'remotely related' would be a solution, but you might need to base your translation on a slightly different wording of the source text.