Profile of the Managing Director

Ryuji Yoshikura, Managing Director, worked for 39 years in total at a trading house and an automotive component manufacturer which are both globally operated. He spent more than 25 years for these companies and successfully promoted each company’s globalization and localization as top level of management in Europe, North Africa and the Mideast countries. He keeps diverse human relationships in business and private society and has enjoyed living more than 26 years in total with his family in London.

Education & Qualification

1965 – 1969 Bachelor of Commercial Science & Administration Faculty of Commerce, KEIO University Tokyo
1968 - 1969 Certificate - KEIO English Language School Tokyo
1977 – 1978 Certificate - Completion of Registered Management Consultant Course (Industrial & Engineering business filed) organized by the Association for the Registered Management Consultant in Japan Tokyo
2003 – 2004 Certificate – Completion of Corporate Finance Evening Programme, London Business School London
2009 Completion of business consultant course at TAC School Tokyo

Professional Experience

    (1) 1969~1997
  • Worked for Sumitomo Corporation at Tokyo and Osaka Headquarters and London Branch. Seconded to London twice as representative and General Manager of Marketing & Sales Division No.3 respectively in each time.
  • Promoted global trade (import/export, off-shore, lease, establishing joint-venture) of hard and software in the business fields such as Aerospace, Defence, Machinery & Electric, Automobile, Telecommunication & Electronics and General products.
  • Dealt with global companies from North America (USA, Canada), Europe (UK, France, Germany, the Netherlands, Italy, Spain, Portugal, Switzerland, Hungary, Norway, Sweden, Poland, USSR), the Mideast (Israel, Saudi-Arabia), Africa (South Africa), Asia (Thailand, Indonesia, Hong-Kong, Singapore, Malaysia).
  • Retired as Assistant to General Manager of Electronics & Aerospace Division of Sumitomo Corporation Headquarters in Japan.
    (2) 1997~2008
  • Headhunted by Sumitomo Wiring Systems, Ltd in Japan and seconded to UK as Executive Managing Director of Sumitomo Wiring Systems Europe Ltd.
  • Newly promoted marketing and sales of Sumitomo’s wire harness for automotive industries in Europe. Promoted local production in Europe and implemented management support (as a BOD member and a shareholder) and administration support (investment/finance, logistics, IT, HR) to Sumitomo’s group companies and factories in Europe, North Africa and the Mideast.
  • Directly controlled the company’s organization such as UK Headquarters, 5 Branches (Munich, Wolfsburg, Paris, Turin, Amsterdam), 3 Logistics warehouses (UK Milton Keynes, Barcelona, Rotterdam), 8 manufacturing companies (UK, the Netherlands, Italy, Portugal, Hungary, Poland, Morocco, Dubai) as BOD member and these 8 manufacturing companies plus 2 factories (Slovakia and Romania) as shareholder.
  • Dealt with 132 customers from Europe, North/South America, the Mideast, Asia and Japan.
  • Retired as Executive Managing Director of Sumitomo Wiring Systems Europe Ltd and Managing Director of Sumidenso Administration & Finance (Europe) Ltd in the Netherlands.

Achievement & Major Awards
(Appreciation for his great contribution in the international trade and global management)

1978 Group Award presented by President of Sumitomo Corporation (Headquarters) for obtaining the import & sales right of Jetfoil (Hydrofoil) from Boeing Company in USA and for valuable success & delivery of the 1st Jetfoil to SADO Liners in Japan
1982 Group Award presented by President of Sumitomo Corporation (Headquarters) for a big contract of Rubber Fenders made in Japan for Yambu’al Bahr Harbour Project in Saudi Arabia
1983 Group Award presented by President of Sumitomo Corporation (Headquarters) for a big contract of NATO Defence Systems made in Europe with Japanese Government
1992 Group Award presented by Vice President of Sumitomo Corporation (Headquarters) for a big contract of European Defence Systems made in Europe with Japanese Government
1996 Award presented by Managing Director & General Manger for Europe of Sumitomo Corp. for his significant contribution in automotive business with Magyer Suzuki Company in Hungary
2008 Award presented by Chairman of Cabelauto’s BOD for his most relevant contribution and outstanding support in the creation and development of the joint venture company
2008 Award presented by President of Sumitomo Wiring Systems, Ltd. (Headquarters) for his great contribution in the development of overseas Wire Harness business