SCHAUMBURG, Ill.—Kuriyama of America Inc. has hired its new president from within the company. Brian Dutton, an 18-year Kuriyama veteran, has assumed the role previously held by Lester Kraska, who stepped down earlier this month.
Dutton officially took the executive post April 8.
Kraska will continue working for Kuriyama, a producer of thermoplastic, rubber and metal hoses and related fittings, as vice president of sales and marketing, according to the company.
"Kuriyama extends its appreciation and sincere thanks to Mr. Kraska who has served as president since 2008," Kuriyama stated in an April 17 news release.
Kuriyama said Dutton has experience across all parts of the company, previously serving as hydraulic product manager, general manager, director of sales and marketing and vice president. Before he came to Kuriyama nearly two decades ago, he worked with companies in sales, operations and product management in industrial rubber and fluid and power transmission markets, according to Kuriyama.
Part of Kuriyama Holdings Corp., the company began in 1968 and serves industrial and commercial markets.