Azelis Announces New Managing Director in Japan

Mar 20, 2017 17:00 JST

Source: Azelis

TOKYO, Mar 20, 2017 - (ACN Newswire) - Azelis is a leading global speciality chemicals distributor and employs more than 1,500 knowledgeable people located in 80 locations across the EMEA, Asia Pacific and Americas regions. Azelis has over 30 laboratories and technical centres serving the following industries: Personal Care, Pharma, Food & Health, Animal Nutrition, Specialty Agri/Horti, Homecare & Industrial Cleaning, CASE (coatings, adhesives, sealants, elastomers), Chemicals, Lubricants & Metal Working Fluids and Rubber & Plastic Additives.

Hirotaka Kawano

Azelis is pleased to announce the appointment of Hirotaka (Hank) Kawano as Managing Director of Japan.

Kawano holds a Bachelor's degree in Economics and started his career with a global chemicals company in Japan. He has over 30 years experience in logistics and procurement and is proficient in both English and German.

Laurent Nataf, CEO & President Asia Pacific at Azelis, comments: "We are delighted to welcome Kawano-san to the team and look forward to him growing our business in Japan, with the strong technical expertise and market knowledge he brings to the role."

Kawano succeeds Mitsuru Katada who will retire on 31st March 2017 after having successfully led the company's Tokyo operations since 2014. Nataf adds: "During Katada's tenure, he and his team achieved constant top and bottom line growth. We are grateful for his contributions to the company over the last three years, which will ensure the continued development and growth of Azelis Japan."

Azelis Japan currently have seven full time employees and are active in the fine chemicals and detergents markets.

About Azelis

Azelis is the leading global speciality chemicals distributor providing a diverse range of innovative products and services. Dedicated teams serve customers in the following industries: Personal Care, Pharma, Food & Health, Animal Nutrition, Specialty Agri/Horti, Homecare & Industrial Cleaning, CASE (coatings, adhesives, sealants, elastomers) Chemicals, Lubricants & Metal Working Fluids and Rubber & Plastic Additives. Through sourcing and distribution channels in every major market around the world, Azelis with its corporate service centre in Antwerp, Belgium, offers chemical producers market penetration, in-depth local knowledge, value-added services and tailored multi-territory solutions. Azelis has a turnover of ca. EUR 1.5 billion and employs around 1,500 knowledgeable people located in more than 45 facilities in over 35 countries across the EMEA, Asia Pacific and Americas regions. For more information, please visit: www.azelis.com.

Contact information

Azelis
Marina Kaptein
Head of Corporate Communications
T: +32 3 613 0125
E: marina.kaptein@azelis.com

Ninemer Public Relations
Lee Ling Ling
Senior Account Manager
T: +65 6534 9939
E: leelingling@ninemer.com

Source: Azelis
Sectors: Chemicals, Spec.Chem, Food & Beverage, Healthcare & Pharm