KARIYA, Japan (Feb. 4, 2015) — Automotive supplier Denso Corp. plans to elect Koji Arima president and CEO after the firm's annual shareholders meeting in June and promote current President and CEO Nobuaki Katoh to chairman at that time.
“I am both honored and determined to lead Denso to further success as we continue to focus on developing world-first technologies, innovations in manufacturing, and true globalization,” Mr. Arima said. “I am dedicated to meeting the needs of our current and future customers, as well as fostering a sense of community and collaboration among Denso's 140,000 global employees.”
Mr. Arima, who joined Denso in 1981, is senior executive director of Denso's Manufacturing Innovation Center.
Before assuming leadership of the center, his assignments included serving as president of Denso Manufacturing Italia and as executive director of Denso's Engine Electrical Systems Business Unit. Additional overseas experience included a stint at Denso Manufacturing Tennessee in Maryville, Tenn.
Mr. Katoh has served as Denso's president and CEO since June 2008. He said Mr. Arima “has the qualities Denso needs to stay competitive in the rapidly changing global business environment — a clear vision for the future, strong leadership and global experience, and broad business perspective.”
Denso, based in Kariya, Aichi prefecture, Japan, is a global automotive supplier of advanced technology, systems and components in the areas of thermal, powertrain control, electronics and information and safety. Its customers include the world's major car makers. The company's North American unit, based in Southfield, Mich., employs more than 17,000 people at 33 consolidated companies and affiliates. Of these, 28 are manufacturing facilities located in the U.S., Canada and Mexico. Denso's North American consolidated sales totaled $7.9 billion for the fiscal year ending March 31.