• Mr. Tran will also serve as GM, TDK Americas HQ and support TDK Sensor System Business Company

August 24, 2021

TDK Corporation (TSE: 6762) announced today the appointment of Mr. Jim Tran to General Manager, Americas HQ and CEO TDK U.S.A. Corporation, effective immediately.

Mr. Tran is an experienced executive in the wireless communications industry, starting with 2G and throughout the transition to 5G, and has served in various leadership roles ranging from general management to product management to engineering management and design. Most recently, he was Senior Vice President and General Manager for the Handset Products Business at Qualcomm, responsible for Snapdragon chipset and software portfolio. Previously, Mr. Tran was Vice President and General Manager of Broadcom’s Mobile Communication Business Unit from 2006-2011, and prior to that, Senior Director of Product Management for RF and Analog products at Qualcomm. Earlier in his career, Jim took on engineering and management roles at Sony Corporation and Boeing.

In his new role at TDK, Jim will focus on corporate technology marketing in conjunction with research and development by collaborating with TDK’s global HQ’s functions such as the corporate technology group, corporate marketing group, and new business incubation teams. Jim will also serve as a Chief Marketing Team Member in the Sensor System Business Company.

“As TDK continues to make solid progress in its role in the digital and energy transformation of multiple industries, we are always on the lookout for top tier talent with system and ecosystem knowledge,” said Shigenao Ishiguro, Chief Executive Officer of TDK Corporation. “Jim further strengthens our America’s team, and will make significant contributions to our global sensor system marketing efforts.”

“We are very pleased to have Jim as a key member of our global sensor marketing effort, as semiconductor sensors are becoming an even more essential part of everyday products,” said Noburo Saito, CEO of TDK Sensor System Business Company.

“TDK has a long and successful track record in connecting material science to products that are relevant to customers and to society as a whole,” said Jim Tran. “It is an honor, and indeed very exciting, to join such an esteemed organization at a time when deep tech is in high demand for enabling the next generation of communication, computation, and AI.”

Mr. Tran will be based on the west coast and supported by Jeffrey Williams, who will remain as TDK U.S.A. Corporation (TUC) President and DGM of the Americas HQ, responsible for TUC's administrative functions.

About TDK Corporation

TDK Corporation is a world leader in electronic solutions for the smart society based in Tokyo, Japan. Built on a foundation of material sciences mastery, TDK welcomes societal transformation by resolutely remaining at the forefront of technological evolution and deliberately “Attracting Tomorrow.” It was established in 1935 to commercialize ferrite, a key material in electronic and magnetic products. TDK's comprehensive, innovation-driven portfolio features passive components such as ceramic, aluminum electrolytic and film capacitors, as well as magnetics, high-frequency, and piezo and protection devices. The product spectrum also includes sensors and sensor systems such as temperature and pressure, magnetic, and MEMS sensors. In addition, TDK provides power supplies and energy devices, magnetic heads and more. These products are marketed under the product brands TDK, EPCOS, InvenSense, Micronas, Tronics and TDK-Lambda. TDK focuses on demanding markets in automotive, industrial and consumer electronics, and information and communication technology. The company has a network of design and manufacturing locations and sales offices in Asia, Europe, and in North and South America. In fiscal 2021, TDK posted total sales of USD 13.3 billion and employed about 129,000 people worldwide.