CHESAPEAKE, VA – Yupo America, the largest manufacturer of synthetic paper in the Western Hemisphere, announces a change in leadership. Mr. Akeo Sawayama assumes the position of President and Chief Executive Officer. He has been chosen to succeed Mr. Masahiko Yano, who recently retired. As President and CEO, Mr. Sawayama is now responsible for driving Yupo’s strategic growth initiatives in the commercial and technical paper markets in North and South America. These initiatives have included recent structural reorganization, capacity enhancements, capital investments, and significant additions to product lines to add value for customers in the graphic communications, converting, packaging, and labeling industries.
“Yupo America has experienced considerable growth in the Americas over the past decade,” says Mr. Sawayama. “I am committed to continuing this trend through a focus on the company’s core strengths: innovation, forward thinking and customer service excellence.”
Mr. Sawayama joins Yupo America from its parent company, Yupo America (Tokyo, Japan), the world’s largest manufacturer of synthetic paper. He has over three decades of experience working with Yupo. Prior to his new role, he served as General Manager of the Technical Research and Development Division and Member of the Board of Presidents. He takes over from Mr. Masahiko Yano, who has held the lead role at Yupo America since 2004 following a successful career at Mitsubishi Chemical Europe and Mitsubishi Petrochemical Co., Ltd.
Mr. Sawayama’s new appointment complements additional changes to the company’s executive leadership structure in Tokyo, Japan. Mr. Satoru Hattori has been promoted to the position of Managing Director and General Manager of the Research Development Division, Yupo America (Tokyo, Japan). He joins Yupo from Mitsubishi Chemical MKV Company, where he served as Managing Director.
Yupo America also announces the retirement of Mr. Hiroyashi Yamada and Mr. Yozo Ohba. Mr. Yamada previously held the position of Senior Managing Director and General Manager of the Research Division, and Mr. Yozo Ohba served as Managing Director.