Denso, a global mobility supplier that has its North American headquarters in Southfield, Thursday announced it has added software-based solutions to its hardware expertise. As part of the change, the company has realigned its North American organizational structure.
The reorganization is designed to accelerate and strengthen business execution, research and development, collaboration, and other efficiencies.
Specifically, Denso’s North American regional headquarters is adding a connected services department that will advance its focus on automated and connected driving. The department will collaborate with Mobility Systems Business Group and Denso Ten to combine the strengths and expertise of the companies. Norihito Tanahashi, senior vice president, will lead the department.
Denso has also created an R&D department in the North American Production and Innovation Center Division. The department will broaden the company’s R&D capabilities outside of Japan and is designed to expedite innovation for advanced production systems. John Baciak has been named director of the department at the Southfield location.
The company also has changed or combined several departments to strengthen its core engineering services. Comfort R&D will be led by Rob Brinker, director; energy efficiency R&D will be overseen by Sergio Pujols, director; and the thermal planning, program management office will be led by Tim Roland, director.
Denso’s global headquarters recently announced changes to the global organization that are designed to strengthen its automated and connected driving solutions, create new thermal and powertrain systems and products, and promote professional development and information security.
“Throughout Denso’s 70 years, we’ve worked hard to reinvent our solutions and maintain a leadership role in the auto industry,” says Kenichiro Ito, CEO of Denso International America Inc. “We’ve learned that a big part of innovation is change. Our industry is undergoing drastic change.
“This is a critical time for our customers, and to remain competitive and ensure our success as we enter a future of electrification and automated driving, we must be focused on finding new value. We will continue to elevate our organizational structure, our executive roles, and locations for R&D labs that will allow us to quickly and efficiently reshape the future of mobility.”
As part of its advanced R&D strategy, Denso recently announced the opening of its Montréal Innovation Lab in Canada, which will focus on advanced technology such as artificial intelligence.
Denso is a $41.8-billion global mobility supplier. It employs more than 170,000 people at its 220 facilities in 35 countries to produce thermal, powertrain, mobility, electrification, and electronic systems. Its global headquarters are in Japan. Denso employs more than 24,000 engineers, researchers, and skilled workers in 31 sites across the U.S., Canada, and Mexico.
