(CHESAPEAKE, VA – April 8, 2010) Yupo America, the largest manufacturer of synthetic paper in the Western Hemisphere, recently announced a change in leadership. Mr. Masakuni Fukutome has been appointed President and Chief Executive Officer. Mr. Fukutome will succeed Mr. Akeo Sawayama, who is returning to Yupo America’s headquarters in Japan.
As President and CEO, Mr. Fukutome is now responsible for driving Yupo’s strategic growth initiatives in North and South America. These initiatives include capacity enhancements and capital investments, as well as significant product line additions for customers in the graphic communications, converting, packaging, and labeling industries.
“In recent years, Yupo America has experienced considerable growth across most product categories and geographic markets,” Fukutome said. “I express special thanks to Sawayama-san for leading Yupo through the most difficult business environment in decades.”
“My mission is to maintain Yupo America as a team, adhering to the basics and implementing continuous improvement,” he said. “We will continue to focus on Yupo’s core strengths: quality, innovation, forward thinking and customer service excellence.”
Mr. Fukutome has been with Yupo America in Chesapeake for two years as Chief Financial Officer and Senior Vice President of Administration. In over 30 years of his career in business, Fukutome worked for sister company, Mitsubishi Chemical for more than 17 years, in the IT industry for 9 years, among others. With a background in Finance and Accounting, Fukutome has also held positions in General Administration including Human Resources and IT and Corporate Planning. Mr. Fukutome has worked or studied in the United States for a total of nearly eight years.