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Since stepping into the role of Shimano Europe CEO at the start of the year, Fabio Takayanagi has had little time to pause.
The past three months have been spent on an intensive fact-finding tour across Europe, meeting customers, distributors and retail partners both in the fishing tackle and the bike components business.
“It’s been great – hectic, but great,” he told Angling International. “You really learn what’s working well and where we can improve. The reliability and functionality of our products remain a strong point, even though recent disruption in the logistics chain caused supply delays. We’ve now stabilised that side of the business with an outbound warehouse operation at a new logistics partner in the Netherlands.”
It’s been a full-circle moment for the Japanese executive, who joined Shimano 20 years ago. His first assignment in Europe was to learn the business in what is one of the company’s most important markets. After a year in the Netherlands, he went onto Brazil to launch Shimano’s operations in Latin America across both bike and fishing categories, followed by time in China establishing another fishing business. “Setting up operations in such different regions was a fantastic experience,” he said. “I used Europe as a model but adapted to local cultures and fishing styles. Both Latin America and Asia have become key pillars of Shimano’s global fishing business.”
Despite a cold start to the season, 2026 has begun strongly for the European business. “Order levels are encouraging and the mood among European anglers is positive – something that was especially noticeable at this year’s Carp Den Bosch show in the Netherlands. It was wonderful to see so many smiling faces and fathers bringing their sons and daughters to the event. That’s how our sport stays alive,” he said.
“The market is never simple, but we are optimistic. Our focus is on strengthening relationships with customers and retail partners, continuing to deliver the products anglers want and ensuring excellent after-sales service.”
Understanding local needs remains a key priority. “Europe is incredibly diverse,” he says. “Anglers in each country have their own preferences and our Japanese engineers are working hard to create products that meet those specific needs. We are working closely with retailers to capture this feedback and act on it together.”
Across Europe, he sees real potential. “The UK has an incredibly strong angling culture and Poland continues to surprise us with its energy and enthusiasm. We’re working hard to minimise the impact of global challenges – rising raw material and energy costs, freight issues and container shortages – but we’re fortunate to have reliable partners on our side.”
He added” “Shimano has several stand-out introductions this year across our core categories. In reels we have news from high end introductions such as the VANQUISH Competition to great value models like the NEXAVE. All include advanced Shimano engineering and our core technologies such as HAGANE Gear, SILENTDRIVE and Anti-Twist fin which offer the smoothness, durability, reliability and pure anging pleasure anglers have come to expect from Shimano. We also have some exceptional rods, including the POISON GLORIOUS – at the pinnacle of freshwater lure rods – an expanded range of Zodias rods and a refined SUSTAIN series.
“Beyond rods and reels we are also bringing product news in carp baits, luggage and other accessories. These are just a few amongst several exciting introductions which will surely help anglers fish better, but even more importantly, increase their enjoyment of their time on the water.
“Shimano is rooted in its heritage,” Takayanagi said. “We’ve always listened to anglers because we are anglers. Their feedback is vital, it drives our innovation and connects directly to our corporate mission of bringing people closer to nature. Our goal is not only to deliver exceptional products but to enrich a lifestyle that revolves around fishing.”
Fabio Takayanagi – Shimano
2006 Joined Shimano Japan
2006 Assigned to Shimano Europe for a one-year international assignment to gain experience in the bicycle business
2007 Established Shimano Latin America in Brazil and served as its President since then until now
2013 Returned to Shimano Japan and became responsible for global over-the-counter sales in the Bicycle Components business
2013 Appointed President of Shimano Shanghai and led operations in China
2017 Appointed President of Shimano North America and led operations in the United States
2018 Returned to Japan
2018 Appointed Vice President responsible for Bicycle Components Sales Administration
2020 Appointed Vice President of Corporate Business Management Department
2024 Appointed Executive Officer of Shimano Inc. supervising global Bicycle Components business
2026 Appointed President of Shimano Europe Group
