PETALING JAYA: Panasonic Manufacturing
Malaysia Bhd has appointed Keitaro Tahara as managing director effective June 1, succeeding Takashi Sugihara who left the post due to a change in board representation by Panasonic Holdings Corp, Japan (Panasonic Corp).
Tahara has over 22 years of working experience within the Panasonic Group, joining Panasonic Corp upon his graduation in 2003.
In October 2004, he joined the Living Support System Business Division, handling engineering group design.
In April 2008, he was moved to the Water Heater Development Group.
In April 2015 he headed the Water Heater Development Section before he took an assignment to Malaysia in April 2017.
In October 2021, Tahara returned to Japan and was promoted to the position Development Section 1 Manager for Hot Water System of Panasonic Corporation Heating & Ventilation A/C Company in August 2022.
Recognising his experience and contribution, Panasonic Corp elevated him to the position of general manager of the Global Development Centre, Water Solutions Development Department in April 2025.
In April 2026, he was assigned to Panasonic Manufacturing Malaysia as deputy managing director.
For the fiscal year March 31, Panasonic Manufacturing Malaysia registered a net profit of RM33.9mil, on a revenue of RM689.9mil.
These represented respective year-on-year decreases of 26.5% and 16.1%.
The group attributed the softer income and profitability primarily to lower sales of fan products.
