TOA Corporation UK, the manufacturer of audio and security equipment, has made two internal appointments. Yuichiro Honjo has been promoted to managing director, pictured right; while Ian Bridgewater becomes director.
Honjo’s career includes various management positions. He has worked at TOA Corporation for the last 15 years, initially as a sales executive, before becoming a marketing executive operating out of the company’s headquarters in Kobe, Japan. He became director of TOA Malaysia and was then charged with setting up a new sales subsidiary in the Vietnamese capital, Hanoi.
Honjo said: ‘I’m thrilled to have been given the opportunity to lead TOA Corporation UK into the next chapter of its history. I aim to continue to provide the industry leading levels of service and innovation that our customers have come to expect, while further maximising our potential in what is a highly competitive market and delivering value in order to improve our financial performance.’
TOA Corporation UK’s new director, Ian Bridgewater, has been with the company for 28 years. He started as a bench engineer, repairing equipment and building systems, before moving to the project team to design and commission systems – eventually becoming head of department. He was appointed technical sales manager and headed the engineering department project team, liaising closely with the company’s research and development operation in Japan.
Bridgewater is tasked with increasing TOA UK’s profile, besides setting the strategic business plan and sales strategy. He said: ‘I’m convinced that our products offer unrivalled levels of performance, flexibility and user friendliness, and look forward to promoting this message to installers and end users. We are currently expanding our voice alarm range, while the expansion of IP audio has pushed us into new markets, with a whole range of new products and technology. I am looking forward to continued expansion and working closely with our highly experienced team in the UK.’
Kazuhiro Takeuchi, chief executive officer (CEO) and president of TOA Corporation, said: ‘Our mission is to reinforce the company’s position as a leader in state-of-the-art commercial audio and security equipment in the UK. Yuichiro and Ian will play a major role in achieving this objective and I wish them every success in their new roles.’
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