Tarrytown, NY, March 9, 2017 – Hitachi America, Ltd. today announced the appointment of Mr. Ryuichi Otsuki as Chairman of the Board of Hitachi America, Ltd., the regional headquarters of the Hitachi Group in North America. This position has been unfilled since August, 2016. The appointment will be effective April 1st, 2017.
Mr. Otsuki currently serves as CEO of Hitachi Data Systems Corporation (HDS) and Vice President and Executive Officer of Hitachi, Ltd. Mr. Otsuki began his current assignment in the U.S. in April 2016, and will continue to serve as CEO of HDS going forward in order to ensure that HDS continues its global performance. Mr. Otsuki will now manage both roles simultaneously in the Americas market for Hitachi Group.
“North America is one of the most important focus areas of growth for Hitachi Group.” said Mr. Otsuki. “We need to increase Hitachi’s Group-wide activities in order to serve these dynamic markets, which include energy, security, microgrid and healthcare. I am looking forward to working with Hitachi America, Ltd. to drive Hitachi’s external relations activities that accelerate Hitachi’s Social Innovation Business here.”
In addition to this appointment and the continuation of his role as CEO for HDS and Vice President and Executive Officer of Hitachi, Ltd., Mr. Otsuki will also serve as Chief Operating Officer (COO) of the Services & Platforms Business Unit of Hitachi, Ltd., as of April 1st.
Hitachi America, Ltd. also announced that its president’s office will move from Tarrytown, New York to Santa Clara, California, effective April 1st, 2017, in order to accelerate Hitachi’s Social Innovation Business through the expansion of its IoT platform “Lumada.” Mr. Koji Takaichi, President and CEO of Hitachi America, Ltd., will move his base to the Hitachi Global Center for Social Innovation - North America, located in Santa Clara, California (3315 Scott Blvd, Santa Clara, CA 95054). The Global Center for Social Innovation is Hitachi’s one of the main R&D Centers in the Americas for the development and expansion of Hitachi’s Social Innovation Business, particularly through Collaborative Creation with customers and partners.
As of April 1st, Hitachi’s Social Innovation Business across the Americas will be led by Mr. Hicham Abdessamad, CEO of Hitachi Consulting Corporation, who will be promoted to undertake an additional role as Deputy General Manager of the Social Innovation Business Division of Hitachi, Ltd. Mr. Otsuki, Mr. Takaichi and Mr. Abdessamad will work together to further expand Hitachi’s IoT business in the Americas, which is the birthplace of cutting-edge technologies and many innovations, and to accelerate Hitachi’s Social Innovation Business.