News Release

Increased business complexity, combined with the need to increase support of globalization and expansion of Yanmar Holdings Ltd., has caused Yanmar America to evaluate and restructure some of its key leadership positions effective June 1, 2014.   

Yanmar America is pleased to announce that Mr. Ted Bregar will relinquish his duties as President of Yanmar America and assume the responsibilities as Chairman & Senior Executive Advisor to Yanmar America. Ted will report to Mr. Tetsuya Yamamoto and the Yanmar America Board of Directors.

In this role, Ted will be responsible for finding new business opportunities for Yanmar, serve in an advisory role for the new President of Yanmar America and take on other duties as requested by the Yanmar America Board of Directors. Ted will not be participating in the day-to-day management or activities of Yanmar America. 

Mr. Bregar indicated that, “Yanmar America has made much progress in the past three years in charting a new direction for our businesses in the Americas. Now it is time to begin a new chapter at Yanmar America where this strategic direction is fortified and supported by operational excellence. At the same time, we will continue to support Yanmar Holdings’ drive for globalization and creating new business opportunities. I will be focused exclusively on expansion of Yanmar’s business. This is an exciting opportunity for me to use the accumulated experience of my career.”

Yanmar America is further pleased to announce that Mr. Tim Fernandez will become the new President of Yanmar America. Tim will report to Mr. Tetsuya Yamamoto and the Yanmar America Board of Directors. 

In his new role, Mr. Fernandez will be focused exclusively on achieving operational excellence in Yanmar America’s main lines of business in order to achieve the ‘Premium Brand’ value proposition for our dealers, distributors and end users.

Mr. Fernandez joined Yanmar America three-and-a-half years ago after a 20 year career with Yamaha Motor Corporation. While at Yanmar, he has led the Industrial Engine, Energy Systems and Marine Engines Business Units. Most recently, Tim assumed Mr. Bregar’s duties for several months during his medical absence last year. He has over 26 years of diverse and extensive experience with multi-national retail dealer and O.E.M. distribution channels. 

As noted by Mr. Bregar, “Tim is an innovative and persuasive leader with a strong vision, work ethic and servant-leadership style which have helped him to develop high performing teams. Mr. Fernandez is well suited to lead Yanmar America and achieve new levels of operational excellence.”

In a statement to Yanmar’s internal and external stake holders, Mr. Fernandez said, “Yanmar has a long, successful history in the world based on quality products and services engineered to conserve fuel and serve mankind. I am proud and excited to have the opportunity to continue this history, and to help lead Yanmar America into the future by capitalizing on exciting new, emerging technologies all built around our state-of-the-art diesel engines that are the heart of our industry leading marine and industrial OEM applications, as well as Yanmar agriculture, construction, power generation and air conditioning products. I am looking forward to continuing Yanmar’s position as a valued partner to our many customer groups by providing them and their customers with the best possible combination of power solutions and services, all provided and supported by the best team in the business – Yanmar employees worldwide.”

Thirdly, Mr. Robert Abend has been appointed Vice Chairman & Executive Advisor. In his new role, Mr. Abend will report to Mr. Bregar and the Yanmar America Board of Directors.

In his new role, Mr. Abend will work with Ted Bregar to focus on business development. Mr. Abend will also relinquish his day-to-day operating responsibilities at Yanmar America in order to concentrate his efforts on his new responsibilities.

Said Mr. Bregar, “With his extensive commercial and technical background, industry insight and 30 years of experience as a Yanmar employee, Rob is the perfect fit for helping to lead efforts to expand Yanmar’s businesses and global reach.”

Finally, Mr. Junichiro “Jimmy” Onishi has been promoted to Vice President of Yanmar America, and will report to Mr. Fernandez.

Mr. Onishi has a distinguished background in the Yanmar organization in Japan where he has been instrumental in building marketing structure and processes.

Mr. Fernandez indicated that, “Mr. Onishi has added considerable value to the Yanmar America organization since his arrival in 2012. He is particularly well suited to help Yanmar America build operational excellence and advance Yanmar’s Premium Brand value proposition. I look forward to working closely with him on a daily basis.”

These moves will allow Yanmar America to become focused exclusively on sales, marketing and customer support of current products and services, and in parallel, will allow Yanmar Holdings to develop future businesses of a regional and global nature.

For more information on Yanmar America, please visit us.yanmar.com or call 770-877-9894.

About YANMAR America Corporation:

YANMAR America Corporation, located in Adairsville, GA, is the regional headquarters of YANMAR Co., Ltd. a global company based in Osaka, Japan. YANMAR Co. Ltd., was established in 1912, and in1933 became the world's first manufacturer to develop a practical small diesel engine. Today, YANMAR is a recognized leader in the design and manufacturing of advanced performance diesel engines and diesel-powered equipment for a multitude of market segments including marine and industrial engines, construction equipment, agricultural equipment and energy systems. YANMAR America Corporation is located at 101 International Parkway, Adairsville, GA 30103. For more information, please visit us.YANMAR.com.