Livermore, CA – In a move designed to provide new focus and added investment, Topcon Corporation is re-tooling its European operation into the model of its corporate and American organization. Effective July 1, 2005, Topcon Europe will become a holding company made up of two separate companies—Topcon Europe Positioning (TEP) and Topcon Europe Medical (TEM).
“We are very pleased with the progress Topcon has made in both the European medical and positioning instruments markets as an integrated company. This new organization will allow each group to focus dedicated resources on the particular opportunities within their specific market,” said Koji Suzuki, Topcon president. “Experience has demonstrated that this approach, along with our ‘Time-to-Market Number One’ initiative will bring positive results to Topcon, our distributors and customers,” Suzuki said.
Heads for the two new companies are Toshio Ushiyama, president of TEM, and Hiroshi Sakai, president of TEP. Ewout Korpershoek has been promoted to executive vice president of TEP. Ray O’Connor, president of Topcon Positioning Systems, has been appointed chairman of the Topcon Europe board of directors for TEP.
“This move to focus our divisions has paid huge dividends in the North American markets,” said O’Connor, who heads Topcon’s operation in the Americas. “We began operation under this model in 2001 and have experienced dramatic growth in our markets since then. We believe similar outstanding growth can be obtained in a shorter period in Europe,” O’Connor said.
Like in the North American markets, the key to the success of TEP will be the continued expansion of need for automated and integrated positioning and machine control solutions for construction, surveying and civil engineering. According to Korpershoek, the European construction industry has always been eager to accept new technologies. “The main thing we need to do is improve our ability to market and deliver the amazingly productive Topcon products. This new organization will allow us to put a laser focus on these issues and help our diverse customers realize the benefits of our technology,” Korpershoek said.
