Taro Kitamura will also lead Yanmar’s Recreational Marine Business Unit
Taro Kitamura has been appointed president of Yanmar Marine International (YMI) and head of Yanmar’s Recreational Marine Business Unit, effective April 1.
The 30-year company veteran will replace current YMI president Shiori Nagata, who has been promoted within Yanmar Holdings Co Ltd in Japan after overseeing a five-year period of growth for the Netherlands-based recreational marine division.
Kitamura joined Yanmar’s head office in 1990 as procurement buyer, moving to the international procurement office at Yanmar Europe and then Yanmar Italy from 2000 to 2005 before completing 10 years with Yanmar Co Ltd as procurement manager.
After spending the last three years as group divisional manager procurement based in Osaka, Japan, he is now relocating to the Netherlands following the appointment.
“I am honoured to be appointed as the new president of Yanmar Marine International and feel especially privileged to be joining the marine division at such an exciting time,” says Kitamura.
“After five years of growth following the move to the new Almere headquarters, I am looking forward to taking over the current business strategy that Shiori Nagata has successfully established and cultivated, with continued investment in new products, technology and partnerships and a closer connection to consumers.
“The next challenge will be to develop the Yanmar brand to ensure it is associated across the world with offering exciting and fulfilling experiences, as well as technologically advanced products,” he adds.
“We also feel there is a great opportunity in the Asia Pacific area, where the marine recreational sector is still limited compared to the rest of the world. By utilising the resources and capabilities of the YMI organisation and recreating our current business collaborations that are thriving in Europe and the US, we will be focusing on expanding our business in the region.”
In further company developments, Marcel Borsboom has been named general onboard system business director of YMI. As the managing director of Vetus since 2009, he will retain this position and will also oversee management of additional Yanmar companies Flexofold and Smartgyro.
Borsboom first joined Vetus in 2002 and was a key member of the team during the successful acquisition of Vetus by Yanmar in 2013.
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