Kubota Tractor names Yoshikawa president

Kubota Corp. has appointed Masato Yoshikawa as the new president of Kubota Tractor Corporation (KTC), based in Torrance, Calif.

Yoshikawa is a 32-year Kubota veteran and most recently held the position of general manager, corporate planning and control department for Kubota Corporation, headquartered in Osaka, Japan. 

During his tenure with Kubota, Yoshikawa has spent nearly 13 years in U.S.-based assignments, most recently as president, Kubota Credit Corp., from 2003 to 2007. In that capacity, Yoshikawa played a significant role in developing the retail credit segment of KTC’s business, which has greatly influenced the company’s growth in recent years.

“Kubota Tractor Corporation has experienced tremendous growth over the last few decades, and I am proud to be a part of its history,” explained Yoshikawa. He follows former KTC president, Yuichi (Ken) Kitao, who served as president from January 2011 to October 2013, prior to his recent appointment as general manager, Farm and Utility Machinery Division for Kubota Corp. 

Acknowledging KTC’s successive record years under Kitao’s leadership, Yoshikawa added, “KTC’s business growth has great momentum due to a forward-looking and tactical company vision, combined with continuous innovation and expansion of Kubota product offerings. Our recent introduction of Kubota Hay Tools and Spreaders, for example, will both enable our dealers to expand their individual businesses, and also provide our valued customers with comprehensive, trusted Kubota product solutions, all in one place.”

Noting Kubota’s recent expansion of its utility vehicle and zero turn mower business with the introduction of its RTV X-Series and Z700-Series last month, and highlighting the company’s renewed focus on its construction equipment business, Yoshikawa added: “We are committed to continuously innovating our products and processes to meet our customers’ needs, and I am confident that in doing so, we will continue to strengthen Kubota’s brand and position in the U.S. marketplace.”