Battle Creek, Michigan
DENSO Manufacturing Michigan, Inc. (DMMI)

Akio (Alex) Shikamura has assumed the presidency of DENSO Manufacturing Michigan, Inc. (DMMI) effective this spring. His predecessor, Takeshi (Jim) Tsuboi, has returned to Japan to continue his career in the Thermal Systems Division at DENSO Japan.

Shikamura joined DENSO in 1977 and was previously general manager of Air-Conditioning Engineering Department 1 at headquarters in Kariya, Aichi Prefecture. Through the years, he has worked in various capacities in the Air Conditioning Engineering area, in both Research & Development and Design. He also spent four years with the Production & Sales Group at DENSO Sales California from 1992-1996.

In an interview in DMMI’s “Shop Talk” newsletter, Shikamura pointed to what he’d like to accomplish. “I want to make DMMI an excellent operation—flagship company in the world of DENSO. DMMI has the longest history overseas and everybody targets DMMI as what they want to become,” he said.

“I read a book about Walt Disney,” continued Shikamura. “He said ‘If you can dream it, you can do it.’” I agree with that. All associates have to have the same dream. Once we decide on the dream, I’m sure we will be successful.”

— Lois Matthews