France Awards the National Order of Merit Chevalier to Kubota Chairman Kimata

Kubota Corporation (Head Office: Naniwa-ku, Osaka, Japan; President and Representative Director: Yuichi Kitao; hereinafter, “Kubota”) announced that its Chairman and Representative Director, Masatoshi Kimata, has been awarded the National Order of Merit Chevalier from the Republic of France. The National Order of Merit was founded in 1963 and is presented to persons who have made “distinguished contributions to France in the areas of cultural and economic activities.”

The Kubota Group set foot on French soil in 1974 when it established present Kubota Europe S.A.S. to export its tractors to European countries. More recently, in 2014, in an attempt to make a full-scale entry into the European upland farming market, we established a manufacturing plant for upland farming tractors in France. At present, about 1,000 persons are working at five local subsidiaries, which are responsible for research and development, production, sales, and after-sales services. In recognition of his long-standing services to economic development and the creation of jobs in the country, Chairman Kimata has been honored by the Republic of France.

1. Conferment Ceremony

Date: June 30, 2021

Place: French Embassy, Tokyo (Minato-ku, Tokyo)

Ambassador Philippe Setton and Chairman Masatoshi Kimata

2. Comment from Masatoshi Kimata, Chairman and Representative Director, Kubota Corporation

It is a wonderful honor to be awarded this decoration, which would not have come about without the dedicated efforts of everyone concerned. I shall thus accept this honor on behalf of all the employees of the Kubota Group, past and present.

Ever since 1974, when Kubota first made inroads there, France has hosted our core operations in Europe, allowing us to increase our presence in the region by distributing tractors, construction machineries, and industrial engines. The establishment of the upland farming tractor plant in the country made it possible for us to not only supply “Made In & For Europe” products but also make a full-scale entry into the upland farming market in Europe and the world, and it now counts as a strategically vital location for the Kubota Group. We now have an organization in place there for start-to-finish operations from R&D, manufacturing, to sales and after-sales services, and we are able to cater to the specific requirements of the market.

Also, in appreciation of the enduring hospitality that France has extended to us, the Kubota Group is actively engaged in philanthropic activities there.

 References

Kubota’s locations in France