Hiroshima, Japan, Mitsubishi Heavy Industries' Board of Directors unanimously approved the immediate appointment of Masami Shimizu to the position of president of Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Printing and Packaging Machinery, Ltd. (MHI-P&PM). Masami Shimizu succeeds Ken Watabe, who served as the first president of MHI-P&PM and guided the new company during its start-up phase.

Masami Shimizu brings a wealth of managerial skills and hands-on experience within the graphic arts industry to his new position. He attended the prestigious Nihon University for his undergraduate and graduate studies where he earned a Master in Mechanical Engineering. In 1978, he joined Mitsubishi Heavy Industries and was assigned to the Production Department of the Paper & Printing Machinery Division as an engineering technician, gradually expanding his responsibilities in this area over the years. Following his appointment to the position of senior manager of the Production Department, he oversaw the renovation of the production management system and headed the production cost reduction project. These and similar key accomplishments were instrumental in setting the course of the company's direction.

With the establishment of MHI-P&PM in July 2010, he was appointed to one of three executive vice president positions created within the highest managerial ranks of the new company and placed in charge of the company's paper converting machinery business (corrugating machinery and box-making machinery) and all production and procurement operations.

Calling upon his more than 30 years of experience, Masami Shimizu and former President Watabe helped mold MHI-P&PM into a leaner organization better equipped to weather the harsh economic conditions still prevalent in many of today's global markets.    In his new role, President Shimizu will lead MHI-P&PM in becoming an even more customer-oriented operation through the introduction of sophisticated technologies designed to advance printers, publishers and the graphic arts industry.