Honda executive to discuss leadership in a changing industry

Koki Hirashima, president and CEO of Honda of America Manufacturing Inc., will be the guest speaker Thursday (Nov. 13) at an Asian Studies Forum.

The 4 p.m. presentation will be held in the Lenhart Grand Ballroom Community Room (202B) of the Bowen-Thompson Student Union. Making a rare campus appearance, Hirashima will discuss “Honda and Ohio: Leadership in a Changing Auto Industry.” The program, hosted by BGSU’s Asian Studies Program, is open to students and the public.

Hirashima is responsible for the company’s manufacturing operations in Ohio, which include a motorcycle plant, two auto plants and an engine plant. A managing director of Honda Motor Co., he also is in charge of manufacturing and engineering operations throughout the Americas.

The successful executive, who joined Honda in 1969, left Japan to become chief engineer of the Marysville, Ohio, auto plant in 1993. He quickly rose through the ranks. Over the next five years he was promoted to vice president, senior vice president, executive vice president, and, in 1998, to president.

Under his guidance, the plant’s capabilities have been significantly expanded to meet growing customer demand.

Hirashima also has been responsible for the North American launch of new models of the Accord, Civic, Element, Pilot, Odyssey and Acura TL sedan. In addition, he has overseen development of new technology, including the new Honda V6 engine built at the company’s plant in Anna, Ohio, and implementation of the New Manufacturing System to optimize production efficiency, speed and flexibility at the East Liberty auto plant in 2000 and the Marysville plant in 2002.