Canon Virginia Inc. has named Yusaku Azuma as
president and CEO. Azuma replaces Takayoshi Hanagata, who becomes chairman of
the Newport News based manufacturer. Azuma also will serve as president and CEO
of Industrial Resources Technologies Inc., a joint venture between Canon
Virginia and Canon USA in Lake Success, N.Y. IRT is located in Gloucester and
reclaims toner cartridges.
“I look forward to working with Canon Virginia employees, our community and business leaders to help take Canon Virginia to the next level of manufacturing excellence,” Azuma said in a statement.
Azuma takes over following a major expansion. Canon recently opened a $600 million, 700,000-square-feet production facility in Newport News that will produce toner cartridges for laser printers in the North American market. Azuma began his career with Canon in 1983. In Newport News, he served as project leader for the development of IRT. In 2008, Azuma was named senior vice president and plant manager of Canon Virginia following a stint at the company’s plant in Japan where he worked as general manager of the Technical Engineering Solutions Division.
Canon Virginia, a subsidiary of Canon USA — the U. S. operation of Japan-based Canon, Inc. — is one of the largest employers in Newport News with more than 1,000 workers.