Mr Hajime Sato has retired from KYB Corporation. He joined KYB in 1981 and was based in Europe between 1992 and 2001 as Sales Manager, where he made strong relationships with many KYB customers. He returned in May 2003 as Managing Director, then becoming President of KYB Europe until 2011. He was instrumental to the expansion of KYB in Europe.
Mr Sato returned to Japan in 2011 as Sales Executive Manager of the worldwide aftermarket in the Automotive Components Division. He became Executive Director in April 2016 and was transferred to KYB Thailand for two years as President of the factory. He returned to Japan in June 2018 to take responsibility for the global Automotive Components business, aftermarket and original equipment, as Deputy Managing Officer. In 2022 he joined the Board of Directors for KYB Corporation and became Vice President.
Mr Sato retired in June 2023 and actually occupies a Board external Director position with Sato Shoji Corporation in Japan. His final visit to Europe was to Germany in September last year, whilst the Automechanika Frankfurt trade show was taking place.
Yuto Uchida, Vice President of KYB Europe commented “We thank Sato san for his valuable contribution to KYB Europe over the past 30 years and wish him well for a long and happy retirement”.