By Valerie Coffey
Yazaki North America (YNA; Canton, MI), a supplier of vehicle power and data solutions to the automotive industry, announced in October the appointment and major realignment of top executives. In making the announcements, George Perry, YNA president and CEO, said the changes are an important part of the company’s executive development program, and foster continuous improvement as the executives bring a fresh perspective to their new posts.
Riku Yazaki, the grandson of Yazaki Corporation founder Sadami Yazaki, was appointed president of the Components Business Unit, overseeing operations including product design and development, quality assurance, and cost maintenance of connectors and terminals. Yazaki was previously the president of the company’s General Motors Business Unit. Before coming to North America, Yazaki also held numerous key management roles, including General Manager YC Planning Division, World Wide Strategy (WWS) Director for Yazaki Europe; Director, Thai Yazaki Corporation; Deputy Plant Manager, Shimada Japan Factory-Yazaki Instrument Company; and Director of Yazaki EDS Samoa, Ltd.
Two appointments mark the first time women have held the title of president in the history of the company. Barbara Long was named president, DaimlerChrysler Business Unit (DCBU). In addition to a long history of success in sales and program management leadership positions in DCBU, Long had been vice president of the company’s Alpha Group, serving heavy-vehicle original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) and large tier-one suppliers to car and truck OEMs. According to Yazaki, she redefined the Alpha business and repositioned it on a path to profitable growth. In her new role, Long is responsible for the overall management of current DCBU programs and growth opportunities for Yazaki as a strategic supplier to DaimlerChrysler.
Colleen Haley was named president of the newly formed Ford Business Unit (FBU). She will also assume the role of Yazaki’s Ford WWS head. Haley had been vice president of Purchasing & Quality. In her new role, Haley is responsible for the overall management of current FBU programs and growth opportunities for Yazaki as a strategic supplier to Ford.
“These two women are strong, effective leaders whose integrity, clear vision, and strategic focus will enhance our efforts to move Yazaki and its customers toward greater success,” said Perry. “Yazaki will benefit greatly from their leadership and management capability.”
Bob Crumley was named executive vice president of Product Planning, Purchasing and Logistics. He was previously CEO of SY Systems Technology America. Reporting to Crumley will be Bob McDonald, recently named vice president, Purchasing, and David Conrad, vice president, Logistics. Crumley will also oversee the R&D function, along with the Marketing and Product Management functions formerly part of the Development and Planning group.
Bryan Jinnett was named vice president, Quality and New Yazaki System (NYS). He will also chair the company’s Quality Directors’ Council. Jinnett has played a leadership role in the implementation of NYS, Yazaki’s lean production/lean thinking initiative in the Americas’ plants, and has been instrumental in the development of a strong cadre of NYS professionals throughout the organization.
Bob McDonald was named vice president, Purchasing. He had been director, EDS, Electronics & Instrumentation Purchasing. In his new role, he will also oversee global coordination of Americas Region activities through membership on Yazaki’s Global Purchasing Committee.
Bill Wilson was named executive vice president, Transplant Business Unit (TBU), and will succeed Tomohiro Nakajima, TBU president, who will return to Japan in February 2006. Over the next six months, Nakajima will assist Wilson in gaining a more thorough understanding of the policies, strategies, and competitive strengths and challenges associated with each of the automakers served by the Transplant Business Unit. Wilson had been president of the company’s Component Business Unit.
Jim Romine was named president, General Motors Business Unit (GMBU). Romine brings more than 25 years of Chrysler-related electrical distribution system (EDS) experience to his new role. He had been president of Yazaki’s DaimlerChrysler Business Unit and WWS head for DaimlerChrysler-affiliated companies served by Yazaki. Myron Trenne was named vice president, Alpha Group. Trenne was previously vice president of R&D, where he led new technology product developments that used vehicle power and data-network solutions. Nigel Thompson was named executive vice president of Strategy, Finance, and Business Systems. Thompson had been executive vice president of Development & Planning. In his new capacity, Thompson will retain responsibility for cost planning, including affiliate negotiations; strategic planning, which includes competitor analysis, alliances, joint ventures, acquisitions, and divestitures; and the company’s business systems.
