Hitachi forms new executive team for the Americas

Atlanta-based Hitachi Construction Machinery Americas has named Hidehiko Matsui its new board chair and CEO effective this April 1, while Simon Wilson will become chief operations officer on the same date.

The duo replaces former CEO Al Quinn and former board chair Sonosuke Ishii, who both announced their upcoming retirements this March.

Matsui is a company veteran, with Hitachi saying he brings a wealth of knowledge from a range of leadership positions he has held in different parts of the world. He has served stints in Europe and Southeast Asia before serving as president of the Hitachi Global Marketing Group and president of the Rental and Used Equipment Business Unit.

Wilson previously served as vice president of construction at Hitachi Construction Machinery Americas and will transition into his new role as chief operating officer this month, having full management control of the company, according to Hitachi.

Now in its fourth year of operation, Hitachi Construction Machinery Americas says it has seen great success in the introduction of Hitachi-branded excavators and wheel loaders to North and Latin America.

The firm says under the leadership of Quinn and Ishii, the network of official Hitachi Construction Machinery dealers has grown to cover most of the United States and Canada and in Latin America, the manufacturer has established official dealers in multiple countries.