Iichiro Kitsuda Promoted to Vice President of Sales - At Asahi Kasei Plastics North America Inc.

FOWLERVILLE, Mich., March 14, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- John Moyer, President, Asahi Kasei Plastics North America, Inc. is pleased to announce the promotion of Iichiro Kitsuda to Vice President of Sales.  As Vice President, Kitsuda will become a member of the Executive Team while also maintaining his responsibilities as Automotive Segment Director.  "Iichiro Kitsuda has demonstrated strong leadership directing applications growth of our resin brands in automotive markets and in multiple markets worldwide," said Moyer.  "We look forward to his future success as Vice President and welcome him to the executive management team."   

"I am honored to be on the Asahi Kasei Executive Team and proud of the automotive innovations our resins enable," said Iichiro Kitsuda, Vice President of sales. "Our unique products are reducing weight and improving performance in under-the-hood components and contributing to the development of vehicle electrification, battery and hybrid technology," said Kitsuda.  "Thermylene® glass reinforced polypropylenes are replacing nylon, PBT and long glass reinforced polypropylene (LFT) giving automakers competitive advantages and now more eco-friendly options are available for sustainable growth," continued Kitsuda.

Iichiro Kitsuda has been with Asahi Kasei Plastics for over 11 years, starting as Sales Representative for Thermofil in 2000.  (Asahi Kasei purchased Thermofil in 2000.) In 2002, he was promoted to Sales Manager.  In 2007, Iichiro Kitsuda was promoted again to Development Manager for Engineered Plastics and Polypropylene Products for all new applications.  He then became the Global Director for Geographical Growth focusing on automotive sales in Brazil, China and Mexico, which led to his role as Automotive Segment Director in 2008.  "Iichiro Kitsuda has helped Asahi Kasei Plastics to grow applications for our products worldwide," said Ramesh Iyer, Vice President Commercial Operations. "Our customers appreciate his enthusiasm for automotive innovation."

Asahi Kasei Plastics provides customized resin solutions worldwide to multiple markets.  Their brands, including LEONA™ and THERMYLON® nylons, THERMYLENE® polypropylenes, TENAC™ acetals and XYRON™ modified polyphenylene ether (mPPE) and more are specially formulated to solve complex engineering problems.  Their markets include automotive, commercial transportation, furniture, pool and spa, water treatment, electronics, lawn and garden, and power generation including performance polymers for electric vehicle batteries, solar panels and wind energy applications. 

With 200,000 square feet, almost 200 employees and 280 million pounds of annual compounding capacity, Asahi Kasei Plastics ranks as one of North America's largest compounders. The firm has annual sales over $200 million with more than half of that in the automotive market.  The Michigan based company is one of the largest Asahi Kasei facilities outside of Japan and is expanding sales globally, in Canada, Mexico, Brazil, China, India and Europe. "Today, we have a unique product mix, between our engineering resins and glass filled polypropylenes, that no other compounder in the world has," said Moyer. www.asahikaseiplastics.com.  For latest news and updates, follow Twitter www.twitter.com/asahi_kasei_inc.

Asahi Kasei Plastics is a wholly owned subsidiary of Asahi Kasei Chemicals Corporation (AKCC).  AKCC is a leading producer of high performance engineered thermoplastics, petrochemicals and monomers and performance chemicals.  Their product portfolio serves a diverse range of markets including energy, consumer products, home construction & materials, health care and many others.  Internationally, Asahi Kasei has over $19 billion in annual sales and nearly 30,000 employees.

Asahi Kasei Plastics North America, Inc., 900 E. Van Riper, Fowlerville, MI 48836 USA, 517.223.5221

SOURCE Asahi Kasei Plastics North America, Inc.