Staff and local dignitaries welcomed senior VIP’s from Japan on Monday this week, to a special presentation ceremony held at Burnley’s Futaba-Tenneco plant. Senior Executives travelled from Japan to see Mr Kevin Schofield take over from Yutaka Nagasaki, who is returning to Japan after 11 years heading up the Burnley subsidiary.
It was a great honour for staff and managers at the Burnley plant to receive the President of the Futaba Group, Mishima-San and Sasaki-San, one of the Board members, who flew in from Japan at the weekend especially for the historic presentation ceremony. They said farewell to Yutaka Nagasaki, and welcomed the new Managing Director, Mr. Kevin Schofield, the first ever non-Japanese subsidiary MD across the whole of the worldwide Futaba-Tenneco automotive parts giant.
Burnley-born Kevin Schofield will be Futaba’s first non-Japanese subsidiary managing director, an achievement that marks the high point of a long career working up through the ranks at the company, which supplies components to car giant Toyota.
Kevin joined Futaba 17 years ago as a project engineer and has held a number of roles, which led to him being appointed assistant MD five years ago. He was heavily involved in some of the planning decisions that have seen Futaba Tenneco UK reach its current strong business position. New orders mean the company has some much-needed stability in the coming years.
Mr Schofield, who was born and brought up in Burnley and is a Burnley FC season ticket holder, was presented with a signed Burnley Shirt by the Council Leader, Charlie Briggs to mark his achievement.
Kevin addressed the guests, saying: “This a great honour for me and I’m proud to be leading a Burnley business that is thriving and providing much-needed jobs for local people,”
Adding: “Manufacturing has always been the foundation of business success in Burnley and Futaba Tenneco is following that tradition of engineering excellence.
“I’m keen to build upon my predecessor’s many successes and carry the business forward. I want to safeguard the jobs of our employees by ensuring the business grows in a sustainable manner and is strong enough to withstand the current economic climate and any downturns that may come our way in the future.
Mr Schofield formally took over as MD at Monday’s presentation ceremony at the plant in front of staff, the Mayor and Mayoress, and leading members of the council.
Mr Nagasaki is returning to Japan after 11 years as MD of the Burnley business and more than 40 years with the company. During his time in Burnley he has become attached to the local area and is a keen walker. One of his favourite walks is along the Leeds and Liverpool Canal and he has been known to walk up to 20 miles a day, taking photographs of the wildlife, events and people associated with the waterway.
He lived in Padiham and had the honour of meeting the Prince of Wales during his recent visit to the Weavers’ Triangle.
“I’m sorry to be leaving Burnley after all the years I’ve been here,” said Mr Nagasaki. “It’s been an honour working with colleagues and staff and I’ve really enjoyed exploring the local area and getting to know the people who live here.
“I’ve made a lot of friends and I’ll miss them all when I go back to Japan.
“During my time at Burnley I’ve seen the company transformed from an exhaust welding business to one supplying many and varied pressed and welded components to major car firms across the world. In my time there has been massive investment in the plant and in the workforce, with some state-of-the-art presses being installed that are probably the equal of any in Europe.
“I’m looking forward to a new challenge in my life but I’ll always remember my years in Burnley.”
Futaba and Tenneco are world leaders in the manufacture of automotive products and came together to form a joint venture in December 2000. Futaba-Tenneco was created to pursue further opportunities in the design and manufacture of products specifically for the automotive sector.
