GIKEN Announces a Change of President and New Management Execution Structure

GIKEN LTD. finalised the executive personnel changes of its President at the 42nd Annual General Meeting of Shareholders and the Board of Directors' Meeting held on 28 November. Atsushi Ohira, who previously held the position of Executive Vice President, has been promoted to President and CEO, while Shinnosuke Moribe, the former President, will now serve as Executive Chairman. Akio Kitamura, who held the position of Executive Chairman, has been appointed as Honorary Chairman. In addition, the management execution structure will be changed to speed up company decision-making, improve the efficiency of business execution and strengthen the functions of the Board of Directors.

【Comment】
I strongly believe that the 'press-in industry' will continue to expand worldwide. I have been travelling internationally for almost two decades, and nowhere else have I encountered a construction technology with such a broad range of benefits and high added value as the press-in technology. What sets the GIKEN Group apart is that we don't merely sell machines, but we can provide comprehensive solutions to our clients. We provide construction technology solutions to clients who face various construction issues. By demonstrating the superiorities of the press-in technologies, we help our clients to initiate projects and create a 'press-in market'. We then support them through the sales of our machines, technical guidance, and maintenance services, enabling them to improve their performance and profits. As a result, we are able to expand the 'press-in industry'. This successful model in Japan is expanding globally and now gaining traction. In many parts of the world, people's livelihoods remain uncertain due to various constraints. As a development-oriented company, the GIKEN Group will continue to develop new machines and construction methods based on press-in technologies to help solve construction problems and achieve a sustainable society both in Japan and overseas. Until now, Honorary Chairman Kitamura, Executive Chairman Moribe, and all executives and employees have worked together to establish a strong foundation for growth. Moving forward, we are entering a new phase of great global expansion. We will strive to achieve our management policy of "Changing Worldwide Construction through Implant™ Method" to the best of our abilities.

【Profile】
Born in Nakatosa, Kochi Prefecture. After graduating from the Faculty of Engineering at Oita University of Technology (now Nihon Bunri University), he joined GIKEN SEKO CO., LTD. in 1981 and was seconded to GIKEN LTD. in 2009, where he was appointed Operating Officer and engaged in the construction solutions business. He subsequently served as Executive Director and President at GIKEN SEKO, and was appointed Executive Chairman of the board in 2022. He has also held top positions at overseas group companies, including President of Giken Seisakusho Asia Pte. Ltd. in 2020, President of Giken Europe B.V. in 2022, President of Giken America Corporation in 2023, and since March 2022 has served as Executive Vice President of GIKEN LTD. and has been in his current position since 28 November 2023.

【Purpose】
The new management structure will more clearly separate the “decision-making and supervisory functions of management” from the “business execution functions”, speeding up the decision-making process and improving the efficiency of business execution, while at the same time strengthening the functions of the Board of Directors. The previous operating officer system was employment-based, but an “Entrusted operating officer system” has now been introduced. By assigning entrusted executive officers with responsibility and authority for business execution to each business and division, we will further enhance the decision-making and supervisory functions and business execution functions respectively.

【Outline】
・The President and CEO shall concurrently serve as CEO as the chief executive officer in charge of business execution.
・Each business unit and division is led by an entrusted operating officer (executive director or managing director) who has the responsibility and authority to execute the business operations. This executive officer acts as the head of the business unit and works closely with the operating officers who lead the frontline operations.
・Entrusted operating officers have the same or greater authority over business execution as conventional directors.

【Commencement Date】
28th November 2023.

■Profile of GIKEN Group
GIKEN developed SILENT PILER^TM, the world’s first reaction-based hydraulic pile jacking machine, installing piles without noise or vibration. GIKEN Group now actively promotes its press-in technology worldwide and contributes to the construction industry by proposing and implementing innovative solutions. The innovative press-in technology provides a unique solution and the adoption of this technology has spread to over 40 nations and regions.