Denso Corporation today announced plans to elect Koji Arima as its new president and CEO after the annual shareholders meeting in June. Current president and CEO Nobuaki Katoh will be promoted to chairman.

 “I am both honored and determined to lead Denso to further success as we continue to focus on developing world-first technologies, innovations in manufacturing, and true globalization,” Arima said. “I am dedicated to meeting the needs of our current and future customers, as well as fostering a sense of community and collaboration among Denso’s 140,000 global employees.”

Arima joined Denso in 1981, after earning a bachelor’s degree in engineering from Kyoto University in Kyoto, Japan. He currently serves as senior executive director of Denso’s Manufacturing Innovation Center.

Before assuming leadership of the Manufacturing Innovation Center, Arima’s assignments included serving as president of Denso Manufacturing Italia and as executive director of the Engine Electrical Systems Business Unit. Additional overseas experience included a stint at Denso Manufacturing Tennessee in Maryville, Tennessee.

Katoh has served as Denso’s president and CEO since June 2008. Katoh led Denso through the economic recession that followed the Lehman Brothers bankruptcy and the instability caused by the Great East Japan Earthquake, focusing on sustainable growth and increasing localization.

“It has been my honor and pleasure to serve as Denso’s president for the past seven years,” said Katoh. “Arima has the qualities Denso needs to stay competitive in the rapidly changing global business environment, a clear vision for the future, strong leadership and global experience, and broad business perspective.”

Denso, which is a leading global automotive supplier of advanced technology, systems and components in the areas of thermal, powertrain control, electronics and information and safety, supplies to all the world's major carmakers. Worldwide, the company has more than 200 subsidiaries and affiliates in 38 countries and regions (including Japan) and employs nearly 140,000 people. Consolidated global sales for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2014, totaled US$39.8 billion (Rs 251,416 crore). Last fiscal, the company spent 9.0 percent of its global consolidated sales on research and development.