Ted Bregar is relinquishing his duties as president of Yanmar America and will become chairman and senior executive advisor, reporting to Tetsuya Yamamoto and the Yanmar America board.
Tim Fernandez will become the new president of Yanmar America, also reporting to Yamamoto. Robert Abend has been appointed vice chairman and executive advisor and Junichiro “Jimmy” Onishi has been promoted to vice president of Yanmar America and will report to Fernandez.
The company said increased business complexity, combined with a need to increase the support of globalization and the expansion of Yanmar Holdings Ltd., was the reason for evaluating and restructuring some of its key leadership positions. The changes are effective June 1.
Bregar will be responsible for finding new business opportunities for Yanmar, serve in an advisory role for the new president of Yanmar America and take on additional duties requested by the board.
“Yanmar America has made much progress in the past three years in charting a new direction for our businesses in the Americas,” Bregar said in a statement. “Now it is time to begin a new chapter at Yanmar America where this strategic direction is fortified and supported by operational excellence. At the same time, we will continue to support Yanmar Holdings‟ drive for globalization and creating new business opportunities. I will be focused exclusively on expansion of Yanmar’s business. This is an exciting opportunity for me to use the accumulated experience of my career.”
Fernandez will be focused on operational excellence in Yanmar America’s main lines of business. He joined Yanmar in 2010 after a 20-year career with Yamaha Motor Corp. While at Yanmar he has led the industrial engine, energy systems and marine engines business units.
Most recently, Fernandez assumed Bregar’s duties for several months during a medical absence last year.
Abend will work with Bregar to focus on business development. Abend also will relinquish his day-to-day operating responsibilities at Yanmar America to concentrate on his new responsibilities.
Onishi has a background in the Yanmar organization in Japan, where he has been building marketing structure and processes.
