Topcon appoints new global marketing manager, new MD of Europe operations

Topcon Positioning Systems (TPS) has appointed Ewout Korpershoek, formerly managing director of Topcon Europe Positioning (TEP), as chief marketing officer responsible for all marketing and product management functions at TPS and TEP.

Korpershoek, who was also named chairman of the TEP board of directors, has been a member of TPS’ strategic management team and executive committee since July 2010. He has also been appointed to the executive committee of the positioning business unit of Topcon Corporation where he will be in charge of global marketing.

Tony Hirayama, currently CEO of the company’s Spanish operation Topcon Positioning Iberia/InlandGEO, as well as being a director of TEP, will become the new managing director of TEP.

Hirayama – who previously had a role with Topcon Precision Agriculture in Australia – will also remain in his current positions.

Ewout Korpershoek	Tony Hirayama

Ray O’Connor, president and CEO of TPS and managing executive officer of Topcon Corporation paid tribute to Korpershoek’s abilities, describing him as a “tremendous leader”.

“His management of TEP has seen it through both rapid growth and an austere economy,” said O’Connor.

“Ewout’s vast experience, creativity and keen judgment have provided the solid foundation for success.

“I have asked him to be our first chief marketing officer, reporting directly to me, using his talents to lead and unite TPS and TEP in the critical areas of marketing and product management.

“Combined with his new responsibility for global marketing on the Topcon executive committee, we now have the opportunity to serve our many markets with a unified message and the strongest products worldwide.”

On Tony Hirayama’s appointment, O’Connor said that no one in the Topcon executive management team had more diverse leadership experience.

“His years at TPS, then at headquarters, then in Australia and Europe with precision agriculture, and as a director of TEP make him ideally equipped to lead TEP as we continue to add new markets and growth opportunities.”

In his new position, Korpershoek will manage the first steps of true globalisation of Topcon marketing and product management.

Under his leadership the TPS and TEP marketing, product management, and training teams will integrate their talents and resources to harmonise the Topcon brand message and customer experience in the western hemisphere.

“I am very excited to have this opportunity,” Korpershoek said.

“This integration has been an objective of both TPS and TEP for a long time and I’m honoured to be asked to lead it. I’m also very happy that Tony will be my new partner at TEP.

“He is a distinguished and dedicated leader and I will depend on his global perspective very heavily as we move forward.”

About his appointment to managing director, Hirayama expressed his gratitude to Steve Hirano, Topcon executive officer and general manager of the global positioning business unit, and O’Connor.

“I appreciate the trust that Mr. Hirano and Ray have given to me,” he said.

“It is a great honor to take on this new role and big responsibilities at TEP. We have a big challenge under the current unpredictable economy in Europe.

“I am thankful for the solid course that has already been established within TEP, and the opportunity to work closely with Ulrich Hermanski and Jan van der Weijden as we lead the TEP team to continue the growth that it has experienced under their direction.”

Korpershoek, who joined TEP in 1991, will remain a resident of the Netherlands, but spend extensive time working at TPS.

Hirayama, who joined Topcon in 1985, will relocate to the Netherlands in the near future, but continue to spend time in Madrid at Topcon Positioning Iberia/InlandGEO as required.