Geek+ Japan, the Japanese arm of global AMR technology pioneer Geek+, has appointed a new president and CEO, Hirokazu “Hiro” Kato, effective April 2nd, 2022. Hiro joins us from acca international Co., Ltd., a third-party logistics provider he founded and lead since 2006. Hiro brings with him more than 15 years' experience providing fulfillment solutions to global DTC and e-commerce operators in Japan. Outgoing president Tomohiro Sato will be taking a new role at the company, where he will lead its new digital solution businesses, “DOJO” and “G-LOGI.”
Tomohiro Sato and Hirokazu Kato
Background
Since Geek+ Japan’s establishment in 2017, customers in Japan have adopted more than 2,000 AGVs/AMRs, which accounts for more than 70% of the market share. However, the Japanese logistics industry faces an ever-growing challenge of decline in the working population, rise in wages, and growth in its e-commerce sector. In order to cope with these business challenges, Geek+ Japan will transition from a robot manufacturer business model into being a “solution provider.”
Geek+ Japan will introduce three new solutions to the market: “LaaS” or Logistics-as-a-Service, a new subscription from of AGV/AMR service; the “DOJO” facility in Sagamihara, Kanagawa Prefecture, opened to 3PL and e-commerce operators for actual onsite AGV/AMR testing prior to purchase and site implementation; and “G-LOGI”, elastic and flexible fulfillment alternatives aimed at e-commerce operators, allowing our clients access to state-of-the-art AGV/AMR solutions. Geek+ Japan, under Hiro’s leadership, will introduce added-value solutions and new services to meet growing client demands.
New Geek+ Japan representative director Hirokazu Kato said: “I am both very excited and feel a great responsibility in taking up my new role as President and CEO of Geek+ Japan. In today’s logistics industry, what has worked today may not be tomorrow. The industry and the global supply chain are going through a massive transition period; navigating the logistics business has never been this difficult. We understand that Geek+ needs to lead this transition ourselves, starting with our transformation into a solutions provider, to deliver the much needed solutions and value to our clients.
“Since establishing acca international Co., Ltd. in 2006, I have been involved and taken responsibility in handling numerous logistics and fulfillment operations. I have overcome many challenging cases of AGV fulfillment operations, and used this experience to successfully launch many successful sites leveraging AGV/AMR assets. Having experienced the user-side, I am committed to delivering real value and true logistic solutions to Geek+ Japan’s clients.”
Outgoing Geek+ Japan president Tomohiro Sato said: “First of all, I would like to thank all of our customers, employees, family, and friends, for the warm support they have given us to this day. Since our establishment, we have striven to become the AGV market leader in Japan, and, thanks to everyone’s support, we have had the honor to do just that. Under Hiro’s management, I will be taking a new role in launching new businesses "DOJO" and "G-LOGI." Although AMRs are still a niche product, we are confident that our users can further enjoy the AMR experience with our new services.”
Hirokazu Kato’s Profile
Hiro went to England after primary school, returning to Japan upon graduating high school. After graduating from Keio University in 2001, he joined Morgan Stanley’s investment banking division. After leaving Morgan Stanley in 2005, Hiro established acca international Co., Ltd., which provided one-stop fulfillment operations for e-commerce shops, and its “ALIS” order management system (OMS) to omni-channel manufacturers, as well as various software and hardware logistics and e-commerce solutions.
acca international Co., Ltd. began operations in August 2017 and launched a new site at Prologis Park, Chiba New Town, operating EVE robots. In November 2017, acca international joined the Daiwa House Group. In June 2019, they launched NIKE’s dedicated center, "The Dunk." In April 2022, Hiro resigned as President and CEO of acca international Co., Ltd.
Company Profile
Company name: Geekplus Co., Ltd.
President: Hirokazu Kato
Headquarters: 4-20-3 Ebisu, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo Ebisu Garden Place Tower 26F
Technical Center: 1-2 Izumino, Inzai City, Chiba, Prologis Park Chiba New Town 5F
Webpage: https://www.geekplus.jp