PLYMOUTH, Mich. – Aisin Seiki announced that Yoshiaki "Yoshi" Kato has been named president of Plymouth-based Aisin Technical Center of America (ATC-A), effective April 1.
Kato, 59, joined Aisin in 2006 and most recently was senior managing officer of the company’s Research & Development Sector in Japan. Previously, he spent more than 25 years in a variety of engineering and product development positions with Toyota Motors Co., including several years in senior management at the Toyota Technical Center in Ann Arbor, Mich. Kato, who earned a bachelor of science degree in electronics engineering from Nagoya Kogyo University, replaces Takashi "Jay" Aoyama, who remains with ATC-A as senior technical adviser.
ATC-A was founded in 2008 to lead the company’s engineering and product development expansion in the U.S. marketplace. As its capabilities continue to grow, ATC-A works closely with customers in strategic product development – taking on more local engineering, design and technical initiatives and responsibilities.
Kato says managing the complete product lifecycle makes ATC-A a more agile operation better able to engage and serve local customer needs, while building trust and exceeding expectations.
"Our ambitious goals include developing products that respond specifically to the needs of our customers in markets in the Americas today and in the future," says Kato. "This enormous pursuit is only possible through a global team and a harmonious effort. ATC-A receives support from our Japanese counterparts, but more importantly, we have assembled here a deep knowledge and skills base, and our team members represent a strong, local foundation."
In addition to rapidly expanding engineering and design capabilities, ATC-A has state-of-the-art lab facilities that allow various evaluation tests and procedures to assure quality of its products in performance; environmental; strength and durability; electronics; and NVH.
Kato also is responsible for FT Techno of America (FTTA), the 950-acre test track and proving ground in Fowlerville, Mich. The facility supports vehicle performance evaluations for major OEMs, suppliers and government and academic institutions.
