Yoshikazu Makino, President and CEO, DENSO International Europe B.V. Executive Director, DENSO Corporation

Yoshikazu Makino is president and CEO of DENSO International Europe B.V., the European headquarters located in Weesp, the Netherlands, and executive director of DENSO Corporation in Kariya, Aichi, Japan.  

After receiving a bachelor’s degree in Engineering from Yokohama National University, Makino joined DENSO Corporation (formerly Nippondenso Co., Ltd.) in 1978. Makino was first appointed to the Air-conditioning Engineering Division 1, where he helped develop air-conditioning components such as heat exchangers and actuators.

In 1982, Makino was appointed to the Air-conditioning Business Unit, where he worked on product planning for air-conditioning products. In 1987, he received a MBA from the University of Michigan for business administration. In recognition of Makino’s administrative expertise, he was transferred to Michigan Automotive Compressor, Inc., a production company for compressors in Michigan, United States. During his tenure, he was responsible for business planning. 

After returning to Japan in 1994 and completing an assignment with the Air-conditioning Business Unit and Air-conditioning Planning Division, Makino was promoted to director of the Cooling Systems & Components Planning Division in January 2001. As director of this division, Makino was responsible for business planning and cost management activities. He was appointed to the director of the Thermal Systems Business Group Planning Division in January 2002, where he led global activities such as establishing new companies and expanding the production capability of existing plants.

In June 2005, Makino was named one of DENSO’s executive directors. He became president of DENSO International Asia Pte. Ltd., Asia/Oceania headquarters located in The Aries, Singapore, in June 2007 and held responsibility in this position until June 2009.

In June 2011, Makino was appointed to the president and CEO of DENSO Europe International B.V. Prior to being named to his new position, Makino oversaw the Global Business Planning Division at DENSO Corp., where he contributed to the strengthening of regional management capabilities in growing markets such as China, India and Brazil.

DENSO, a leading global supplier of advanced automotive technology, systems and components, employs approximately 120,000 people in 35 countries and regions, including Japan. Consolidated global sales for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2011 totaled US$37.7 billion.

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