Shimano pays tribute to retiring European group head

More than 100 trips to Japan in over 30 years, but his latest proved to be among the most memorable for Mark van Rooj, the retiring President of Shimano Group Europe.

van Rooj will be handing over the role in Europe to Fabio Takayanagi on January 1 after 34 years with the Japanese fishing and bicycle components brand. Before doing so, he visited the company’s headquarters in Osaka for a farewell.

He was centre stage with Chairman/CEO Yozo Shimano, President Taizo Shimano, Senior Executive Officer Yuzo Shimano and colleagues from the group’s European operation.

“It has been an exciting journey during the years. I realised over the last days the kind of contacts I built up,” said van Rooj. “I was also able to meet many former EU ex-pat colleagues who returned to Japan for my trip.”

Main picture: From left: Taizo Shimano, Yozo Shimano and Mark van Rooj.