Komatsu America Corp. is transitioning at the CEO level, with chairman and CEO Rod Schrader stepping down March 31 and Rod Bull taking over as CEO on April 1.
Schrader plans to retire June 30.
“It has been an incredible honor to lead Komatsu America and its talented team across the U.S. and Canada,” Schrader says. “I am proud of all that we have accomplished, and I have full confidence that Rod will continue to propel the company forward with a clear vision and strategic leadership.”
Bull, who currently serves as executive vice president of Komatsu’s North America region, has nearly 25 years of leadership experience in the heavy equipment manufacturing industry – including 14 years with Komatsu.
“Komatsu has a strong legacy of innovation and excellence, and I am honored to step into the role of CEO,” Bull says. “I look forward to working with our employees, customers, dealers and other partners to build on our success and continue driving growth in the years ahead.”
Bull, who has been with Komatsu since 2011, has held several senior leadership roles at the company, including general manager of the Western U.S. region, vice president and general manager of loader parts and vice president and general manager of the North America mining division.
Schrader, meanwhile, joined Komatsu in 1987 as a product manager. In 2015, he was appointed senior executive officer of Komatsu, which is headquartered in Tokyo. He has served as chairman and CEO of Komatsu America Corp. since 2012, overseeing the company’s large manufacturing footprint, as well as product distribution for construction, forestry, mining and utility equipment, technology and services.
“I want to thank Rod Schrader for his outstanding leadership and commitment to Komatsu over the past 38 years,” says Hiroyuki Ogawa, president and representative director, CEO of Komatsu. “His contributions have been numerous, and we congratulate him on a well-deserved retirement. We are confident that Rod Bull is the right person to guide the company into its next chapter, and are looking forward to his leadership.”
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