AISIN Corporation, the world’s fifth-largest Tier One automotive supplier, recently announced several changes to its North American executive team, effective April 1, 2023. Scott Turpin, president of AISIN World Corp. of America (AWA), shared the news, which impacts multiple divisions within the company.
The executive changes include the appointment of Kazuto Koyama as president and CEO of AISIN Holdings of America (AHA), Seymour, Indiana. Shin Sasaki is now president of AISIN Technical Center of America (ATCA), Northville, Michigan, and FT Techno of America (FTTA), Fowlerville, Michigan. Hiroyuki Kawatsu has been promoted to president of AISIN Texas Corporation (ATX), Cibolo, Texas, while Shuji Oda assumes the role of president of AISIN North Carolina Corporation (ANC), Durham, North Carolina.
Koyama, a 37-year AISIN veteran, will lead AHA, the organization responsible for overseeing manufacturing, research, and development operations in North America. This marks Koyama’s second executive assignment in the region, having previously served in a leadership role at AISIN USA Manufacturing, Seymour, Indiana. He replaces Makoto Kamiya, who will now serve as vice president of ADVICS Corporation, an AISIN Group Company.
Sasaki, who has been with AISIN since 1993, will lead both ATCA and FTTA while retaining his positions as executive vice president of North America OE Sales and Energy Solutions at AWA and executive officer of AISIN Corporation in Japan. He replaces the retiring Tatsuya Iwatsuki.
Kawatsu, who joined AISIN in Japan in 1990, will lead ATX, AISIN’s newest manufacturing plant in North America. He is overseeing the expansion of ATX, including the addition of 430 new employees and the launch of a new production line later this year. He replaces Satoru Kasuya, who is now vice president of AISIN Corporation’s Powertrain Company.
Oda, a machining and production specialist who joined AISIN in Japan in 1992, will lead ANC. This is Oda’s first assignment in North America, and he replaces Shigeo Tsuzuki, who is returning to Japan.
“There’s no doubt that the last few years have been challenging for AISIN and for most auto suppliers and their OEM customers,” said Turpin. “For our executives, it was more than a question of business survival during the pandemic, which meant continuing to meet customer and supplier needs without interruption, while facing extraordinary supply chain issues – it was the true concern that these presidents had for employees and their families. Each of these AISIN leaders – Kamiya-san, Iwatsuki-san, Kasuya-san, and Tsuzuki-san – made health and safety the top priority and established immediate measures to help keep everyone safe. They did what good leaders do: they acted quickly and decisively. And, let’s not forget, while they managed through the pandemic and cared for several thousand AISIN employees, they were also concerned about the health and safety of their own families back home in Japan,” added Turpin. “We thank each of them and their families sincerely and wish the very best in their next assignments.”
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