News

Tokyo, Japan – March 9, 2026 – Mitsubishi Materials Corporation today announced the appointment of Mirko Merlo as President of its Metalworking Solutions Division, effective from April 1, 2026. An accomplished global executive with a strong track record in organizational transformation and value creation, Mr. Merlo will lead the division’s next phase of international growth and strategic expansion.

He succeeds Kazuo Ohara, who will retire after many years of dedicated service and leadership within the Group.

Previously serving as Chief Strategy and Sales Officer of the Metalworking Solutions Company, Mr. Merlo played a key role in modernizing the organization’s operating model. Under his leadership, the company implemented significant structural and operational enhancements, including process optimization, integration of shared services, and comprehensive cost-efficiency initiatives. These efforts strengthened operational resilience and reinforced the division’s long-term competitiveness.

In his new role, Mr. Merlo will oversee continued international development across established and emerging markets in Europe, Asia-Pacific, and the Americas. The division remains focused on delivering high-performance solutions that address increasingly complex application requirements and evolving sustainability expectations worldwide.

Commenting on his appointment, Mr. Merlo stated:
“Together with Moldino and Mitsubishi Materials Hardmetal, we will leverage our robust technical capabilities and profound customer relationships to deliver innovative, high-performance solutions. Our focus will be on supporting demanding applications with a comprehensive, reliable service portfolio that generates measurable value.”

Tetsuya Tanaka, Chief Executive Officer and President of Mitsubishi Materials, added:
“Mirko Merlo’s strategic vision and collaborative leadership will be instrumental in advancing our internationalization strategy and strengthening our market position. His strong focus on operational discipline, customer value, and sustainability supports both our short-term priorities and long-term objectives.”

This leadership transition reflects Mitsubishi Materials’ continued commitment to building a resilient, customer-focused organization capable of delivering high-impact technologies and services across global markets.