Toyota Announces Management Changes
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IRVINE, Calif., (August 2, 2005)-Toyota today announced several management changes, including Tatsuo Matsuura to chief executive officer (CEO) for Toyota Industrial Equipment Manufacturing (TIEM) and Susumu (Sonny) Toyoda to president and chief operating officer (COO) for TIEM. Both Toyoda and Matsuura also have been named to the TIEM and Toyota Material Handling U.S.A., Inc (TMHU) board of directors, where Matsuura will serve as chairman.
Tatsuo Matsuura also recently assumed the position of executive vice president for Toyota Material Handling Group (TMHG). In his new roles at TMHG, TIEM and TMHU, Matsuura will be responsible for Toyota's continued leadership in the North America lift truck market, including sales, marketing, manufacturing and distribution.
As president and COO, Toyoda will be responsible for overseeing the U.S. manufacturing facility for Toyota lift trucks in Columbus, Indiana.
"Tatsuo Matsuura's years of experience at Toyota and Sonny Toyoda's production expertise make them the ideal leaders for TIEM," said Tetsuro Toyoda, president of Toyota Industries Corporation (TICO).
Matsuura and Toyoda will be taking the reins from Yoshimitsu Ogihara, who will be leaving his post as president and CEO for TIEM after 30 years with Toyota Motor Corporation (TMC) and more than nine years with TIEM. He will return to Japan as a senior technical advisor to Toyota and its suppliers.
"Yoshimitsu's daily leadership at TIEM will be sorely missed," said Ted Toyoda. "During his nearly 40 years with the company, he has proven himself a leader, savvy businessman and role model."
Matsuura also is senior managing director for TICO. He will remain in that position while taking on the additional roles at TMHG, TMHU and TIEM.
Both Matsuura and Toyoda have led exemplary careers at Toyota. Prior to this position, Matsuura held the titles of managing director, director and project general manager for TICO. He earned his degree in economics from Nagoya University in Aichi, Japan.
Toyoda has been with Toyota for seven years. Prior to this position, he worked as executive coordinator for TIEM where he oversaw sales, production, control and logistics. Before that, he was project manager for TICO and also has held positions with TMC. Toyoda has a bachelor's degree in German literature and a law degree from Waseda University in Tokyo.
TMHU is headquartered in Irvine, Calif., and offers a full line of high-quality lift trucks sold under the Toyota brand. Built on a reputation for excellence, Toyota is known for its quality, reliability and durability.
Third-party research indicates Toyota lift trucks rank highest in value and quality among the top competitors. Most of the Toyota lift trucks sold in the United States are manufactured in Columbus, Ind.
Toyota's commitment to excellence in customer service extends nationwide. Seventy authorized Toyota Industrial Equipment dealers with a total of 186 dealership locations throughout the United States offer comprehensive customer service support, including one-stop shopping for both new and Certified Used lift trucks, parts, service and financing. For more information on TMHU, please visit www.toyotaforklift.com or call 1-800-226-0009.
