News & Press Releases

News & Press Releases


Yasukuni Yamasaki, founding CEO of Primetals Technologies

London, June 11, 2019

Notice on demise of our founding CEO Yasukuni Yamasaki

It is with deep regret and profound sadness that we inform you that Mr. Yasukuni Yamasaki, the former CEO and Chairman of the Board of Primetals Technologies Limited, suddenly passed away on June 7, 2019 due to a heart attack.

Statement by Satoru Iijima, Chairman of the Board and CEO Primetals Technologies:

 It is very hard to believe that both myself and our team members were with him during a Shareholder's Committee Meeting held in Tokyo on June 4, in which he showed his energy and passion as usual.

The funeral ceremony is scheduled on Thursday, 13th in Tokyo, Japan.

Looking back on his career, Yamasaki-san devoted most of his long career to the metals machinery businesses with energy and passion at Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Mitsubishi-Hitachi Metals Machinery and Primetals Technologies since he joined MHI in 1973.

All who worked with him will appreciate that he was such a honest, open and warm-hearted person, admired by everyone for his passion and fascination for the metals machinery. He really loved the metals industry, Primetals Technologies and our people.

As CEO at the foundation of Primetals Technologies, Yamasaki-san was dedicated to making his company the sustainable market leader in the metals industry.

We should all honour his memory by dedicating ourselves to continuing to work to make his aspiration come true.

Thank you, Yamasaki-san, and may you rest in peace.

Satoru Iijima
CEO & Chairman of the Board

Yasukuni Yamasaki, founding CEO of Primetals Technologies

Primetals Technologies, Limited, headquartered in London, United Kingdom, is a pioneer and world leader in the fields of engineering, plant building, and the provision of lifecycle services for the metals industry. The company offers a complete technology, product, and services portfolio that includes integrated electrics and automation, digitalization, and environmental solutions. This covers every step of the iron and steel production chain—from the raw materials to the finished product—and includes the latest rolling solutions for the nonferrous metals sector. Primetals Technologies is a joint venture of Mitsubishi Heavy Industries and partners, with around 7,000 employees worldwide. To learn more about Primetals Technologies, visit the company website www.primetals.com.