Masahiro Ota named president, CEO of Fujifilm Graphic Systems U.S.A.

FUJIFILM Graphic Systems U.S.A., Inc. has named Masahiro Ota the company's new president and CEO. Mr. Ota replaces Hiro Tada, who has taken a new position as president and CEO with Fujifilm's Medical Imaging Division.

"Fujifilm is well-positioned to face this challenging market, thanks not only to our ability to produce quality, reliable plates and prepress equipment, but also our ability to integrate new technologies--such as digital printing and wide format imaging--into our customers' operations," said Mr. Ota. "I'm looking forward to the taking on the challenges of this new position and working with our employees as well as our industry partners."

Mr. Ota joined Fujifilm in 1980 and first worked in human resources in the Fujinomiya site and in planning and administration for the recording media business in both Japan and Greenwood, SC. He also worked in international marketing for the Graphic Systems Division in Japan.

Most recently, Mr. Ota was president of Fujifilm Starlight Graphic Systems (Shanghai) Co., Ltd. Created out of a partnership with the China Academy of Printing Technology, Fujifilm Starlight Graphic Systems represented a new sales company that departed from the traditional distributor model.

Within four years, Fujifilm Starlight Graphic Systems captured the top position in China's graphic systems market, increasing sales of both conventional and CTP plates and systems. With the structure created by Mr. Ota, Fujifilm Starlight grew rapidly and saw great success, and is expected to continue to do so.

In 2007, Mr. Ota was named guest professor at the prestigious Bejing Institute of Graphic Communications.

As president and CEO of FUJIFILM Graphic Systems U.S.A., Inc., Mr. Ota will be responsible for guiding the company's U.S. efforts in the commercial printing and graphic arts market, including managing the relationships with Fujifilm Group companies Fujifilm Sericol and Fujifilm Hunt Chemicals.