Akebono Brake Corporation has appointed Wilm Uhlenbecker as president and CEO, effective immediately.

He will succeed interim president and CEO, Kanji Miyajima, who will now serve as executive advisor to Uhlenbecker.

Uhlenbecker was most recently president of Mahle Behr USA, where he led the acquisition and integration of Delphi’s Thermal Management North American business.

He joined Behr in 2007 as COO of Behr America where he led a successful turnaround of the company through cost reductions and manufacturing footprint restructuring activities. Later he assumed the role of president and CEO of Behr America.

“We are excited to have Wilm join the Akebono family,” said Akebono Brake Industry president and CEO, Hisataka Nobumoto.

“His track record of successful leadership in a multi-cultural global environment speaks for itself. He will be a valuable addition to our organisation.”

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Uhlenbecker’s prior experience includes management positions in engineering, quality, and operations.

He holds a doctorate degree in mechanical engineering and a master of business administration degree from RWTH Aachen University in Germany.

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