First American appointed as head of Yupo Corporation America
By Canadian Packaging Staff
General Flexibles Paul Mitcham Yupo Corporation Yupo Corporation AmericaPaul Mitcham named top dog with Fukutome, Schultz and Barrett also promoted to new posts at Yupo.
CHESAPEAKE, VA—Yupo Corporation America, the largest manufacturer of synthetic paper in the western hemisphere, has named Paul Mitcham as president and chief executive officer (see image to the left).
Fukutome Masakuni (surname first), whom Mitcham succeeds, is returning to Yupo Corporation’s headquarters in Japan as general manager of its administration division.
Mitcham will direct Yupo Corporation’s strategic growth initiatives. According to the company, by the end of this year Yupo Corporation America will expand its Chesapeake facility to higher capacity, add additional employees, and explore new markets in specialty packaging.
Mitcham’s ascension to the dual leadership posts marks the first time in Yupo company history that an American has been promoted to such a position.
Mitcham began with the company in 1999 with a background in paper manufacturing, marketing and sales and was most recently Yupo’s vice-president of sales.
“With special thanks to Fukutome-san for his leadership during the past three years, Yupo Corporation has experienced growth across most product categories and geographic markets,” says Mitchell. “We will continue to implement continuous improvement and focus on Yupo’s core strengths—quality, innovation and customer service excellence.
“Yupo will move forward and seize upon opportunities for growth by continuing to produce great products even as we continue to be a good corporate citizen to our community and within our industry.”
Fukutome had been with Yupo Corporation America in Chesapeake for five-and-a-half years, including two years as chief financial officer and senior vice-president of administration. In a career spanning over 30 years, Fukutome worked for more than 17 years at Yupo’s parent company, Mitsubishi Chemical, and in the IT sector for nine years, among other positions.
In other company news, Yupo also announced that Steve Schultz, an industry veteran with three decades of experience in specialty packaging innovations and sales, will become Yupo’s new vice-president of sales.
Tom Barrett, Yupo sales executive, will assume the responsibilities for managing the Technical Service Group.
For more information on Yupo, visit www.yupousa.com.
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