DENSO has appointed Haruhiko Hal Kato president of DENSO Products and Services Americas (DPAM). Kato succeeds Yoshihiko Yamada, who retired after 38 years with the corporation. Kato joined DENSO in 1986 after earning his bachelor's degree from Kobe University and began his career in air conditioning systems research and development.

He has held various positions of increasing responsibility within the corporation's global network, including overseas assignments at DENSO International Asia Pte. Ltd. in Singapore from 1995 to 2001 and DENSO Europe B.V. in Amsterdam from 2001 to 2006. In 2012, Kato became general manager of the Aftermarket Business and Product Development group of DENSO'S Climate, Heating and Cooling Product Division at corporate headquarters in Kariya, Japan.

In April 2015, Kato relocated to Southern California to join DPAM as the company's senior executive coordinator. As president of DPAM, Kato will oversee 470 employees at the company's facilities in Long Beach and Murrieta, CA. His duties include managing the sales, manufacturing and distribution operations of all groups under DPAM DENSO Light Vehicle Parts, Commercial & Heavy Duty, MovinCool, Robotics and Automated Data Capture (ADC) devices.