Richard Smith will take on the role from Marcus Burton this April and have responsibility for all of Mazak’s operations in Europe, including the UK.
Smith has been at the firm since 1987, where he joined as a graduate production engineer, and has spent the last 30 years in a number of roles – most recently acting as deputy group managing director Europe (operation).
He will also be supported by Bruno Munier, who recently assumed the role of deputy European managing director – sales. Burton will remain at the company in a non-executive role.
Says Smith: “I am honoured to be given the opportunity to lead the Mazak team in Europe. Having worked closely with Marcus during the last 11 years, I am pleased that in his new position we will be able to call on his experience.
“These are exciting times for the company, with the recently announced investment in our European manufacturing plant in Worcester starting to make a real impact, alongside the introduction of many new machines to our range. Our challenge is to continue to support our European customers in their on-going quest to modernise and further enhance their productivity.”
Yamazaki Mazak operates across the globe, including The Americas, Africa and The Middle East, Asia and Oceania, and Japan.
