Canada-Japan Business Symposium 2009

Canada-Japan Business Symposium

- Manufacturing Collarborations in Yokohama -

Be sure to mark Wednesday November 4th, 2009 in your calendars to come and hear from a former Executive Vice President & Vice Chairman at Nissan Motor Co. regarding the development and distribution roadmap for the electric car, the LEAF.
With Nissan this year moving its headquarters to Yokohama City, the Governor of Kanagawa Prefecture, Mr. Shigefumi Matsuzawa will present the competitive attributes of the region, which continue to attract world class companies.
A panel discussion will follow highlighting innovative Canadian manufacturers sharing their strategies for successful entry into Japanese market.


Date: Wednesday, November 4, 2009 (9:00am – 1:30pm)

Venue: International Center - Mississauga
6900 Airport Road Entrance 6b, Suite 120 Missisauga, ON, L4V 1E8

Keynote Speakers:

"Kanagawa's Attractive Investment Environment"

Shigefumi Matsuzawa, Kanagawa Prefecture, Governor
With over 30 years experience in Kanagawa public office, Governor Matsuzawa was an early supporter of the Japanese adoption of an open-policy Government. During his tenure, he has authored numerous publications on Japan’s need for reform, positioning him as a senior member in the recently elected Democratic Party of Japan. He is currently in his 2nd term as Governor of Kanagawa.



"R&D & Manufacturing in Kanagawa Prefecture - Case Study of Nissan Motor Co., Ltd. -"

Tadao Takahashi, Former Executive Vice President, Nissan Motor CO., Ltd and President, Kanagawa-ken Employer's Association
Former Vice-Chairman & Executive Vice President of Nissan Motor Co., LTD,
Joining Nissan in 1968, Mr. Takahashi’s career has focused in the manufacturing and engineering divisions of the company, ultimately positioning him as a member of the Board of Directors in 1998. In 2005, Mr. Takahashi also became the President of Kanagawa Prefecture’s Employer's association.

Luncheon Speaker:

Donald W. Campbell, Former Deputy Foreign Minister and Canadian Ambassador to Japan
Prior to his current role at Davis LLP, Mr. Campbell had a distinguished career with Canada’s Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade, including a term as Canada’s Ambassador to Japan from 1993-1997. In 2003, Mr. Campbell was appointed by the Prime Minister to co-chair the Canada-Japan Forum, an external advisory group established by the two respective governments to provide advice and to promote the bilateral relations between Canada & Japan. Mr. Campbell serves on the board of directors of a number of corporations, including Toyota Canada Inc.

Program:

8:15 – 9:00 Registration & Networking
9:00 – 9:15 Event Overview & Opening Remarks

9:15 – 10:30 Keynote Presentations
Shigefumi Matsuzawa, Kanagawa Prefecture, Governor
-“Kanagawa’s Attractive Investment Environment”
Tadao Takahashi, Former EVP & Vice Chairman, Nissan Motor Co. Ltd. & President, Kanagawa-ken Employer’s Association
-“R&D and Manufacturing in Kanagawa Prefecture – Case Study of Nissan Motor Co., Ltd”

10:45 – 11:50 Panel Discussion -Canadian Companies Succeeding in Yokohama, Kanagawa-


-Deval Desai, Magna International Inc., Executive Director, Strategy & Planning
Deval Desai serves as Executive Director of Strategy and Planning at Magna International. In this position, Mr. Desai is responsible for market intelligence and strategic business development of Magna’s operating group companies, as well as strategy and planning for Asia and other emerging markets. Prior to joining Magna, Mr. Desai was a Business Development Manager and an Engineering lead with North American Lighting, a Koito Group Company. Mr. Desai holds a Master’s in Mechanical Engineering, a Master’s in Management and an MBA in International Business.






-Jay McNaughton, Wescast Industries, VP, Sales & Innovation
Jay graduated with an HBSc in Science and afterwards started and developed his own small business over a 6 year period. He subsequently went back to school to obtain an MBA focusing on International Business, Finance and Marketing. He has spent over 15 years in the automotive industry in senior positions such as corporate development, sales, operations, and mergers and acquisitions. Coupled with his international studies, he also lived in Spain where he led the integration of a Spanish acquisition into the parent North American organization. This integration focused on the implementation of common financial and costing systems as well as European business development activities between North America and Europe. Jay also worked as the General Manager of a plastic injection tool and mould manufacturer and developed key operation systems to implement lean practices. Jay joined Wescast in 2001 in Sales and Marketing, and in July 2003 was promoted to Director of Corporate Development and in October 2005 Vice President Strategic Development. In 2006, Jay lead the start up of Wescast’s China Facility in Wuhan and in 2007 lead the start up of Wescast’s Stainless Steel Facility in Stratford, ON. Jay was promoted to Vice President Sales and Innovation in October 2008 and is currently responsible for global sales with offices in North America, Europe, China and Japan.


-Patrick Bothwell, Escalator Hand Rail, Senior Corporate Manager, Formerly EHC Japan K.K. Representative Director
Patrick Bothwell became Corporate Senior Manager - Sales at EHC Global in 2007. In this position, Mr. Bothwell leads a global team of 23 managers responsible for over $35 million in annual sales to the elevator and escalator industry. Mr. Bothwell continues to serve as the Representative Director of EHC Japan K.K., which included the responsibility of establishing the Japanese subsidiary. Mr Bothwell has firsthand experience of setting up and operating sales, manufacturing, and service facilities in Japan. He is fluent in written and spoken Japanese with 20 years experience in Japan.




-Steve Rodgers, GS Global Solutions, President
Steve Rodgers currently serves as the President of GS Global Solutions, a consulting firm focused on providing competitive intelligence on the global automotive industry. Prior to establishing GS Global Solutions, Mr. Rodgers spent 22 years with Magna International serving as the VP, Global Business Development covering the Asia-Pacific region focused on the countries of Japan, Korea, China, India & Thailand. Mr. Rodgers is a member of the Board of Directors of both Exco Technologies and the ZENN Motor Company and also Senior Advisor to Optessa. Mr. Rodgers served as the Chairman of the Automotive Parts Manufacturer’s Association (APMA) from 2005-2007 and is Chairman of the GreenARC Industry Working Group.






Panel Moderator: David P. Worts, Japan Automobile Manufacturers Association of Canada, Executive Director

12:00 – 13:25 Luncheon Session
Don Campbell, Former Deputy Foreign Minister and Canadian Ambassador to Japan

13:25 – 13:30 Closing Remarks

Registration:

Registration is free of charge and will be conducted on a first-come, first-served basis. To confirm your participation, please complete the registration form and send it to TOR@jetro.go.jp or On-line registration.
Registration confirmation as well as updated event information will be provided.