Muratec USA announces leadership changes to drive next phase of growth

Murata Machinery USA Inc. announces key leadership changes. Keiji Yuasa is president and CEO of Muratec USA.

Yuasa brings more than two decades of global leadership experience and operational expertise developed during his tenure with Murata Machinery. Since joining the company in 2005, he has served as Managing Director of Murata Singapore Pte. Ltd. and in Corporate Planning in Human Resources Japan, where he cultivated strong relationships with leaders across multiple business divisions.

Yuasa succeeds Toshiyuki Komori, who served as Muratec USA’s president and CEO for four and a half years. Komori has returned to Muratec USA’s parent company, Murata Machinery Ltd. (MML) of Kyoto, Japan, as Executive Sales Manager for Turning in MML’s Machine Tools Division.

“I am honored to lead Murata Machinery USA at such an exciting time,” Yuasa says. “Building on our proud legacy of innovation and excellence, we remain committed to advancing Muratec’s end-to-end automation solutions and driving sustainable growth across all divisions – empowering our customers to enhance efficiency, competitiveness, and long-term success throughout North America.”

New leadership in two divisions

Muratec USA also announces other leadership changes at the division level. In the Textiles Division, Chuck Butts has been appointed director of operations, effective Oct. 1, 2025. Long-time director of operations David Stalvey, a 37-year veteran of Muratec USA, will remain with the company as textiles advisor.

With more than 30 years’ experience at Murata Machinery USA’s Textile Division, Butts has developed unmatched expertise and leadership through roles that have spanned from field technician to sales manager. As director of operations, he now guides the division with vision and continuity while actively supporting the industry through his involvement with the National Council of Textile Organizations and the Southern Textile Association Board of Governors.

Muratec USA’s Logistics and Automation (L&A) Division has named Kazuyuki Uratani general manager. Masatoshi Wakabayashi, former general manager of L&A, will continue to serve the division as executive director.

In his new advisory role, Wakabayashi will leverage more than 30 years of global leadership experience within the Muratec Group to guide and support Muratec USA’s continued advancement in automation solutions.

Uratani, who joined MML in 1992, has dedicated more than 33 years to the L&A Division, leading Factory Automation sales since 2018 and driving growth through major projects, including partnerships in the EV battery industry. In his new role, Uratani aims to achieve sustainable growth for Muratec USA’s L&A Division and strengthen its North American presence by leveraging his extensive leadership, strategic planning, and material handling expertise.

A legacy of innovation in industrial automation

2025 marks the 90th anniversary of Murata Machinery Ltd.’s leadership in automation innovation. In May 1974, the company established Murata of America Inc. in Charlotte, NC, initially focusing on textile machinery.

Muratec USA now offers a comprehensive portfolio of advanced automation solutions across North America through its four divisions: Logistics & Automation, Machine Tools (Turning and Fabrication), Clean Factory Automation, and Textile Machinery, enabling industries to enhance productivity, efficiency, and operational excellence.

“Muratec USA remains committed to advancing industrial automation and manufacturing excellence across North America,” Yuasa says. “With Mr. Uratani leading our L&A Division and Mr. Butts guiding our Textile Division, I am confident in our full leadership team across all divisions to continue strengthening Muratec’s legacy of innovation, efficiency, and customer-focused solutions, delivering long-term value and industry leadership.”