JUNE 30, 2009--Edmund Optics (EO; Barrington, NJ, USA; www.edmundoptics.com), a provider of optical components, has appointed Timothy Paul Kennedy to the position of president, Edmund Optics Japan.
Kennedy replaces veteran Isao Wakasa, who pioneered the development of the EO sales location in February 1994 and recently retired in May 2009. With Kennedy's background in both optical engineering and sales, he is aggressively developing new customers in Japan. "EO is dedicated to maintaining and building an even stronger presence by investing in manufacturing and marketing operations in Japan. We are a global company and our Japanese relationships and marketplace are a major part of Edmund Optics," says Kennedy.
Kennedy's responsibilities include sales, marketing, and operations strategy for the Tokyo team, as well as regional participation in the strategic sales growth for all of Asia. He brings five years of experience directing the sales and marketing team at EO Singapore, including the development of the Korean office, multiple Asian web sites, and a fully translated Japanese Master Source Book. Kennedy has a BS in optical engineering from the University of Arizona.
"We are incredibly impressed with Tim's ability to work with customers from basic technical applications to complex vision system solutions for applications such as flat panel inspection. He likewise has done an excellent job teaching others the EO team management structure and culture, allowing us to truly create a global operation focused on the same mission. He is both a rising star in the EO executive team as well as an accomplished engineer, and I look forward to continued sales growth in Japan under his leadership," says Robert Edmund, CEO.
Toshio Horii was appointed general manager, EO Akita, Japan after the completion of EO's acquisition of this plant at the end of December 2008. Previously known in Japan as Saito Optics, this new manufacturing division of Edmund Optics is responsible for precision grinding and polishing of spherical optics. EO has also made investments in the plant's metrology, automated centering, and cleaning technology.
Horii, who is a native of Akita, brings more than 20 years of manufacturing experience both in the US and Japan working for US precision broadcast T&M, LCD, automobile, semiconductor, and robotics firms. Horii holds a BS degree in electrical engineering from Nippon Electronics College. "Horii's focus will be to further develop the factory's optical manufacturing capabilities, concentrating in the next months on training the staff on innovative manufacturing techniques and production planning with the goal of satisfying the growing needs of EO's customers," says Walter Czajkowski, vice president, global manufacturing.
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-- Posted by Vision Systems Design, www.vision-systems.com
