Teijin Automotive names Twining as president of North American unit

Teijin Ltd. and Teijin Automotive Technologies are undergoing multiple executive shifts to give younger employees their shot at leadership.

Teijin Automotive Technologies has named Chris Twining, its current chief operating officer, as president of Teijin Automotive Technologies North America, effective April 1, a Feb. 7 news release said.

Teijin Ltd. named Akimoto Uchikawa as its new president and CEO, replacing Jun Suzuki, who will remain with the company as chairman, the release said.

Steve Rooney, who currently serves as CEO of Teijin Automotive Technologies and general manager of the composites business unit, will retire from the company March 31, 2023.

Twining, who has been with the company since 2001, will continue to report to Rooney. Twining will continue in his role as chief operating officer for the global composite unit, Rooney told Plastics News, sister publication to Rubber News.

Until his retirement, Rooney will continue his roles as CEO and general manager "from a Japan perspective for their global composite business unit," he said, and his position as a group corporate officer inside of Teijin.

"It's my time to move on," Rooney said. "This transition period prior to my retirement will enable (Twining) to continue his oversight of the manufacturing side of the business while taking on an even greater leadership role."

"(Twining) and I are closely aligned with our strategic direction and vision for the organization," he said. "We continue to work very closely together to make sure we kept… in alignment of what our future looks like, what businesses (and) new material technologies we're working on."

"It's my time to move on," Rooney said. "This transition period prior to my retirement will enable (Twining) to continue his oversight of the manufacturing side of the business while taking on an even greater leadership role."

"(Twining) and I are closely aligned with our strategic direction and vision for the organization," he said. "We continue to work very closely together to make sure we kept… in alignment of what our future looks like, what businesses (and) new material technologies we're working on."

"We've built a very strong team," Rooney said, adding that team members below Twining will also be promoted in the near future.

The company is hoping to move "younger folks into leadership positions who are well-rounded and have been with our company for quite a while and deserve these opportunities," he said.

Twining "has worked closely on the operations side of the business with Rooney over the past 11 years and will continue to oversee the operations of all North American and global facilities, as well as taking on additional leadership responsibilities," the release said.

"I am confident that Teijin Automotive Technologies will continue to be a recognized global leader in sustainable, lightweight composites under Chris' capable leadership," Rooney said.

Teijin Automotive Technologies, which formed after rebranding five companies last year, develops and produces composite components, including carbon and glass fiber, for the global automotive and transportation industries. The company has 29 operations in 8 countries and employs more than 5,000 people.