Last week, Kubota North America (KNA) announced leadership changes following the Kubota Corporation (KBT) Board of Directors meeting held earlier in Osaka, Japan.
Ishii Nobuyuki (surname first) is the new Chief Executive Officer of KNA and Senior Managing Executive Officer of KBT, while Todd Stucke has been appointed the President of Kubota Tractor Corporation (KTC) and Executive Officer of KBT, both effective January 1, 2024.
These two appointments succeed Hanada Shingo (surname first), who will be promoted to Director and Senior Managing Executive Officer, returning to Kubota Corporation in Japan.
Ishii, a 40-year Kubota veteran, will succeed Hanada and will also take on the role of KTC Chairman, providing support to Stucke as the new President of KTC.
Ishii has held various roles in his Kubota career, including President of Kubota Europe until 2016. He also previously worked in the US as Vice President of Kubota Engine of America from 2003 to 2008. In his current role as General Manager of Farm and Industrial Machinery Strategy and Operations in Japan, he supervises Kubota’s entire overseas operations.
“Over the past few years, under Mr. Hanada’s leadership, Kubota has successfully built our North America regional function,” said Ishii, newly appointed CEO of KNA. “The market contributes significantly to Kubota’s overall business and remains an integral part of our vision to provide solutions to address global issues related to food, water, and the environment. I’m proud to continue the tremendous momentum Mr. Hanada was able to achieve in his tenure.”
Kubota North America is comprised of Kubota Tractor Corporation, Kubota Credit Corporation, based in Grapevine, Texas; Kubota Canada Ltd., with operations based in Pickering, Ontario, Canada; Kubota Manufacturing of America, based in Gainesville, Georgia; Great Plains Manufacturing, based in Salina, Kansas; and Kubota Engine of America, based in Lincolnshire, Illinois.
“Kubota is constantly evolving, and we remain committed to the growth mindset we have adopted, working together toward our 2030 Vision, which is to become a major brand globally,” stated Stucke, newly appointed President of Kubota Tractor Corporation and the first American to lead the role in the company’s more than half-century history.
Continued Stucke: “It’s important for us to stay focused on this transformation as we embark on this next phase in the evolution of our business, and I’m thrilled to be leading our talented team in doing just that while working closely with our strong Kubota dealers with an ‘On Your Side’ approach.”
A 35-year industry veteran with experience in both equipment and agriculture, Stucke is currently the Vice Chair of the Association of Equipment Manufacturers (AEM) and will become Chairman of the Board in 2024. He has previously served two terms as treasurer of the AEM Board as well as Ag Sector Board Chair in 2020.
Additionally, Brian Arnold, current President of Kubota Manufacturing of America and Vice President of Kubota North America, has been appointed as an Executive Officer of KBT and will take on the role of Head of Manufacturing for KNA. He succeeds Azuma Takanobu (surname first), Executive Vice President of KNA, who is being promoted to Managing Executive Officer of KBT and will return to Japan.
Arnold was the first American to serve in the role of KMA President since the company established manufacturing in Northeast Georgia in 1988. Arnold joined KMA in 1995 and will maintain his dual role as KMA President in addition to his newly appointed role for KNA.
“We are committed to growing and enhancing our manufacturing footprint to expand our product lines and infrastructure to better meet the needs of our customers and dealers,” said Arnold. “We are advancing our manufacturing with more automation and sustainable solutions than ever before—it’s what we do, and it will continue to drive how our teams make decisions about our products in order to provide more solutions to our North American dealers and customers.”
Kubota Corporation, based in Osaka, Japan, and together with its subsidiaries, manufactures and sells a range of machinery, including tractors, construction equipment, lawn and garden equipment, hay tools, and other performance-matched implements, to the North American market. For more company information, visit www.KubotaUSA.com or www.Kubota.ca.
Ganbarimasu, good luck!