Today, SHOWA, a global leader in hand protection, has named Shuji Kondo as Americas president and COO. Bill Alico, former Americas president and COO, will continue with the company and serve as a member of its Board of Directors.

A 20-year veteran of SHOWA, Kondo has held many international leadership roles across regional offices, including Japan, Europe and the United States. Kondo also is a member of the SHOWA Japan Board of Directors and is Chairman of SHOWA Europe.

“It’s an honor to lead the U.S.-based division of SHOWA,” Kondo said. “SHOWA Americas is an integral part of our global brand, driving innovation, sustainability and customer-focused development in hand protection.”

Alico will serve as a strategic advisor to SHOWA. “After more than 30 years in the industry, the time is right to transition to an advisory role and support our next generation of visionary leaders,” he shared. “Kondo’s vast experience will help us to facilitate regional connectivity and strengthen our position as a global powerhouse in hand protection.”

In addition to Kondo’s and Alico’s new roles, Charles Miller has been appointed Americas vice president of sales and marketing. A 23-year veteran of the personal protective equipment industry, Miller most recently spent the last 11 years as Americas central regional manager.

Tom Eggleston, former Americas vice president of sales and marketing, will join Alico as a member of the board and will continue to support strategic sales and marketing initiatives.

SHOWA Americas is the result of the acquisition of Best Manufacturing by the privately held Showa Glove Japan in 2007. In September 2014, the company changed its corporate name and identity, signaling its transformation into a globally unified company. The change simplified the company’s comprehensive hand protection portfolio under one unifying brand and enhanced synergies to more efficiently drive innovation across customer service, distribution, sustainability and research and development.

About SHOWA

Since introducing the world’s first PVC work glove in 1953, SHOWA continues its legacy of innovation to distinguish the company as a global leader in hand protection. With 58 patents owned and more than 100 researchers dedicated to developing new, environmentally sustainable ways to protect hands at work, SHOWA is recognized for its portfolio of more than 1,800 specialized gloves for the industrial, professional and homecare categories.

SHOWA has eight production facilities around the globe and approximately 4,500 employees worldwide. The company’s investment in research and development speaks to its value in innovation-driven excellence, which SHOWA manages at every stage of design and production with 100% integrated manufacturing. To learn more, visit ShowaGroup.com.