HUNTINGTON BEACH, CA – September 28, 2012 – Cleveland® Golf/Srixon® has announced that Hideki Sano will be named Chairman of the company, effective January 1, 2013. Sano is filling the vacancy left by former CEO, Greg Hopkins.
Sano joined the Sumitomo Group in 1977 after earning a Master’s degree in Engineering from Osaka University, in Japan. Sano worked his way up the ranks of the Dunlop Sports division, being named Executive Officer of Production Engineering in 2004 and was invited to become a member of the Board of Directors in 2007. Based in Kobe, his most recent role was travelling the world as Executive Director of R&D, Production, Purchasing and Logistics, as well as maintaining his membership on the Board. “I am looking forward to helping guide Cleveland Golf/Srixon to further becoming a globally recognized and trusted company through continuous efforts to enhance our brand values,” said Sano. As Executive Director of Dunlop Sports, he will continue to be responsible for Global R&D, Production, Purchasing, and Global Supply Chain and serve as General Manager of the North American Division.
Yasushi Nojiri, President and Representative Director of Dunlop Sports states, “We are very proud of Cleveland Golf/Srixon and how those brands are enriching the sporting lives of passionate customers with advanced technology. I fully expect that making this organizational change in the North American business unit, with the team being led by Sano, will bring further improvement of the brand value of Cleveland Golf/Srixon.”
For more information on Cleveland® Golf/Srixon®, Never Compromise® and Cleveland Classics™ apparel or their staff players, please visit www.clevelandgolf.com, www.srixon.com, www.nevercompromise.com and www.clevelandclassicsapparel.com.
Based in Huntington Beach, CA, Cleveland® Golf, Srixon®, Never Compromise® and Cleveland Classics™ apparel are brands that enjoy a strong presence on competitive tours worldwide and are under the umbrella of Dunlop Sports based in Kobe, Japan. Their professional staffs includes players such as Graeme McDowell, Keegan Bradley, Vijay Singh, David Toms, and many others. Cleveland® Golf was founded in 1979 to produce high quality replicas of classic golf clubs from the 1940’s and 1950’s but soon became regarded as an innovative producer of original equipment in its own right. Srixon®, with more than 80 years of golf ball manufacturing experience, is committed to producing the highest quality, technically innovative golf balls which offer maximum performance to golfers of all levels of ability. Cleveland® Golf, Srixon®, Never Compromise® and Cleveland Classics™ apparel remain steadfastly committed to providing “Tour proven, premium golf equipment to passionate golfers at prices that ensure value to consumers.” For more information, please contact Keith Patterson, PR/Media Relations Manager (714.889.5808) or visit us online at www.clevelandgolf.com, www.srixon.com, www.nevercompromise.com and www.clevelandclassicsapparel.com.
Contact:
KEITH PATTERSON
MEDIA & PUBLIC RELATIONS MANAGER
5601 SKYLAB ROAD
HUNTINGTON BEACH, CA 92647
(TEL) 714-889-5808
(E-MAIL) KeithPatterson@clevelandgolf.com
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