Isuzu Truck SA welcomes new CEO

Hiroaki Sugawara (centre) has joined Isuzu Truck South Africa as CEO of the local operation, replacing Hiroshi Nishizaka (left), who has been reassigned to Australia after four years of dedicated service in South Africa.

“I am glad to join Isuzu Truck South Africa, and to continue the success path instituted by my predecessor. Beyond its renowned expertise among global customers, Isuzu Trucks has a solid reputation in South Africa, which puts it in a good position to meet its ambitious growth strategy in an ever-challenging economic environment,” says Sugawara.

Sugawara brings with him a 35-year tenure with Isuzu, having started his career in 1980 as an electrical engineer, when he was involved in planning the new automated chassis assembly and the new cab assembly line for the N-series.

From 2002 until 2012, Sugawara was the general manager and group leader of the Service Marketing Department in Japan. He was promoted to general manager of the Parts Planning Department in 2012.

In 2014 he accepted the position of general manager for the Sales Promotion Department, before furthering his career to general manager for the International Sales Department, where he was in charge of western and southern Asia and South Pacific area.

“We are pleased to welcome Hiroaki Sugawara to our team. We predict that he will make a meaningful contribution to Isuzu Truck South Africa by utilising his engineering, marketing and management expertise in the automotive and transport sectors,” comments Craig Uren, COO of Isuzu Truck South Africa (right).