Stapleton’s directors resign, Steve Parker moving to Kwik-Fit?

Stapleton’s managing director Kenji Murai and trading director, Steve Parker, have resigned from their positions as directors of Stapleton’s. Yutaka Kimbara has now been appointed as managing director of the leading tyre wholesale business and take over the leadership of the company with immediate effect. The news followed a board meeting yesterday (26 July 2011), which resulted in Stapleton’s directors communicating “a number of changes to its composition.”

New managing director Yutaka Kimbara joined Stapleton’s from Itochu seven years ago and has most recently been responsible for the company’s commercial vehicle and agricultural tyre business.

Kenji Murai was named group head of Kwik-Fit on 1 July a day after the official completion of Itochu’s purchase of Kwik-Fit earlier this year. No details of where Steve Parker is headed next officially been confirmed, but Tyres & Accessories understands that he will joining Murai in the senior management of Kwik-Fit.

An Itochu representative commented: “We would like to take this opportunity to thank Kenji and Steve for their outstanding achievements, and wish Yutaka every success as he looks to build on Stapleton’s heritage and reinforce the company’s market-leading position”.

Related news:

• Stapleton’s MD Murai now in charge at Kwik Fit

• Comment: A change will do you good?

• Itochu: Kwik-Fit and Stapleton’s to remain separate

Itochu Kwik-Fit purchase background:

• Itochu Buys Kwik-Fit for £637 million

• Kwik-Fit confirms Itochu is new owner

• Wholesale changes in UK tyre distribution

• EC approves Kwik-Fit acquisition; 10 new centres planned for this year

• Itochu officially completes Kwik Fit Group purchase