Leading connected technology provider, Directed Technologies, has today announced the appointment of four new senior leaders as the company expands its operations in key emerging markets and scales its proven solutions with OEMs and major fleets around the world.
Adrian Tamaki joins as Sales Director, LATAM; Cleyo Cha as Country Manager, South Korea; Sam (Takashi) Suda as Chief Representative in Japan; and Vishnu Verma as Country Manager in India.
Tamaki’s focus will be on establishing a footprint in key LATAM markets, a region which has positioned itself as a critical area for technological advancements in logistics and vehicle management. Directed Technologies already works with a major OEM customer delivering leading connected vehicle solutions in Mexico and will look to further leverage its proven success in Mexico, Australia and APAC to help expand across LATAM markets with shared industry focuses, like mining, in countries such as Brazil and Colombia.
Cleyo Cha brings vast experience in connected and telematics services, with a track record of accelerating country and regional growth at companies such as Trimble Inc. and Dell. Cha’s appointment follows Directed’s acquisition of a state-of-the-art manufacturing facility in Incheon. The facility adds strategic manufacturing capabilities and greater capacity, helping position Directed Technologies as one of the only full-stack automotive technology companies that wholly in-house design, manufacture, and manage telematics and IoT fleet solutions globally. The Incheon facility and Directed Korea HQ also cements Directed’s access to regional OEM factories.
Industry veteran Suda brings 36 years of experience, which include senior executive leadership global roles at Hino and Toyota. Suda’s extensive industry connections and deep understanding of OEM partnerships will be instrumental in shaping Directed’s strategy in Japan.
Vishnu Verma, previously of HERE Technologies and Map My India, is tasked with leading Directed’s entrance into the Indian market, another powerhouse of vehicle manufactures of all types.
Directed Technologies is already a proven platform embedded in OEMs across various regions, including Australia, Mexico, and South Africa. The company works with global automotive manufacturers (including the Daimler Group, Volvo Group, Toyota Group, Isuzu UD , Nissan and Ford) and large fleet operators (including FedEx and Australia Post) and provides its customers with tailored factory-fit, or aftermarket solutions ranging from telematics devices and connected vehicle hardware, through to white-labelled fleet management platforms, OEM approved data and end-customer training.
Speaking on the appointments, Brent Stafford, Executive Director of Directed Technologies, said, “Our global growth strategy is built on innovation, customer-centric solutions, long-term partnerships and importantly team culture and talent. The appointment of these senior country leads strengthens our ability to deliver more high-value factory-fit solutions that help OEMs and fleet operators improve safety, efficiency, and connectivity.”
Mark Whitmore, Global Sales Director of Directed Technologies, said, “It’s certainly an exciting time to be at Directed, with the global growth we are experiencing validating our product capabilities and customer-focused sales approach. To be able to bring together such a great team of leaders further strengthens our in-market ability to deliver local solutions that best serve the needs of our customers.”
