In the U.S., where Showa has a large presence, the company's Showa Ameri-cas business made major personnel changes at the top earlier this year, according to Shutt.
Bill Alico, president and chief operating officer of Showa America, has stepped down and will be replaced by Shuji Kondo, a 20-year veteran of its Himeji, Japan-based parent company.
Alico, the longtime leader of Best and later Showa Best in North and South America, will remain with the firm as a member of the board of directors and will serve as a strategic adviser to the company.
Kondo has held several international leadership posts across various Showa regional operations, including those in Japan, Europe and the U.S. He also is a member of the Showa Japan board of directors and is chairman of Showa Europe.
He said that Showa Americas “is an integral part of our global brand, driving innovation, sustainability and customer-focused development in hand protection.”
Alico said he was stepping down because “after 30 years in the industry, the time is right to transition to an advisory role and support our next generation of visionary leaders. Kondo's vast experience will help us to facilitate regional connectivity and strengthen our position as a global powerhouse in hand protection.”
Another change made near the top of its management team at Showa Ameri-cas was the selection of Charles Miller as vice president of sales and marketing, replacing Tom Eggleston, a longtime executive with the company.
Eggleston will become a member of Showa Americas' board of directors and serve as a consultant on initiatives pertaining to sales and marketing.