Mazak appoints Richard Smith as new European Group Managing Director

Yamazaki Mazak has appointed Richard Smith as its new European Group Managing Director. He takes over from Marcus Burton, who will remain with the company in a new Non-Executive role.

Yamazaki Mazak has appointed Richard Smith as its new European Group Managing Director.

He takes over from Marcus Burton, who will remain with the company in a new Non-Executive role.

Mr Smith, who will take up his new role in April, will have responsibility for all of Mazak’s operations in Europe, including the manufacturing operations in the UK.

Mr Smith first joined Mazak in 1987 as a Graduate Production Engineer and over the last 30 years has undertaken a number of key roles in manufacturing, purchasing, customer service and product management.

After undertaking several manufacturing operational roles he became European Group Product Director in 2005, working directly with the European sales companies on business development, marketing and sales. His most recent role was Deputy Group Managing Director Europe (Operations), and before that he held the role of Managing Director - UK and Ireland Sales Division. He lives in Worcester and has an MBA from Warwick University.

Mr Smith will be supported by Mr Bruno Munier, who recently assumed the role of Deputy European Managing Director - Sales. Mr Munier joined the business from Sandvik Coromant, where he worked for 19 years, reaching the position of Europe and Middle East (EMEA) President. He brings considerable experience of European organisation and management. He will report directly to Mr Smith and will be responsible for overseeing the sales and marketing strategy for Mazak’s European operating companies.

Mr Smith commented on his appointment as European Group Managing Director: “I am honoured to be given the opportunity to lead the Mazak team in Europe. Having worked closely with Marcus during the last eleven years I am pleased that in his new position we will be able to call on his experience.

“These are exciting times for the company, with the recently announced investment in our European manufacturing plant in Worcester starting to make a real impact, alongside the introduction of many new machines to our range. Our challenge is to continue to support our European customers in their on-going quest to modernise and further enhance their productivity.”