Kuwamura leaves Canon after 38 years
June 7, 2018
(Credit: What They Think)
The OEM has released a memo to its partners, notifying them that its Executive Vice President and General Manager is retiring after almost 4 decades of service.
In the memo, penned by Joe Adachi, Chairman and CEO of Canon U.S.A. Inc., the company has revealed that “After more than 38 years with Canon, Toyotsugu Kuwamura, Executive Vice President and General Manager, Business Imaging Solutions Group, Canon U.S.A., will return to Japan in mid-July and retire from Canon Inc.”
The memo goes on to state, “As you are aware, Mr. Kuwamura accomplished a great deal with BISG, simplifying the marketing structure for the first time in 20 years. He also improved communications by de-centralising the dealer support system, so that through local connections we can provide faster decisions and better support to our dealers across the country. Additionally, he increased the value of the Canon brand with his “One Canon’’ approach.”
Canon revealed that Shinichi Yoshida will be replacing Kuwamura in his role, with this appointment being made effective from 1 July 2018. Yoshida is another long-serving member of the Canon team, having started working for the OEM in 1983 and holding down roles at Canon Europe, Canon Virginia, Canon U.S.A and Canon Canada, where he has been serving most recently as Executive Vice President/General Manager.
Adachi wrote that he was “deeply appreciative” to Mr Kuwamura for his “many years of outstanding service to Canon” and offered his best wishes for Kuwamura’s retirement.
The Cannata Report issued a response to the news of Kuwamura’s departure, saying that it was “both sad and happy” to learn of his pending return to Japan and retirement as during the last three years, they had formed a “wonderful working relationship”.
However, The Cannata Report indicated that Kuwamura’s dedication to his role had been led to a decline in his health, resulting in a “life-threatening heart attack”, and expressed the opinion that he “came back too soon and pushed himself too hard.”
The Cannata Report said it was “a privilege to know him and work with him”, but also said that his replacement, Yoshida, would surely be welcomed back by dealers; the Report stated, “We look forward to meeting with Sam sometime after 1 July to learn more about his mission and if he will continue Toyo’s efforts with dealers.”
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