YKK AP America Promotes Jun Kobayashi to Senior Vice President, Manufacturing Headquarters

Kobayashi will lead enterprise-wide planning with a focus on more sustainable manufacturing systems that deliver new value for customers and empower people to grow and thrive

ATLANTA, GA – May 7, 2025 – YKK AP America Inc. today announces the promotion of Jun Kobayashi to Senior Vice President of Manufacturing Headquarters, where he will lead enterprise-wide strategic manufacturing planning across both the commercial architectural products business and the residential windows and doors business. In this newly added role, Kobayashi’s responsibilities include long-term manufacturing planning with an emphasis on technological advancement to continuously strengthen product quality and delivery, employee safety and well-being, and decarbonization.

Kobayashi will play a critical role in advancing YKK AP’s efforts to deliver high-quality, technically advanced, energy-efficient products through vertically integrated operations. His leadership supports the company’s ambitious growth plans, including the newly opened $125 million greenfield residential manufacturing facility in Macon, Ga., and the Commercial Business West Coast branch and fabrication facility in Rancho Cucamonga, Calif.

“Jun’s promotion reflects both his exceptional leadership and our commitment to developing internal talent and becoming the most advanced manufacturer in the industries and communities we serve,” said Oliver Stepe, president and CEO of YKK AP America. “This role is vital to aligning our manufacturing strategy with broader goals for innovation, customer service, and sustainability as we scale across North America.”

“I am honored to take on this expanded responsibility at such a pivotal time for YKK AP,” said Kobayashi. “As we pursue our long-term Evolution 2030 vision, my focus will be on creating smarter, more sustainable manufacturing systems that contribute to the global environment, deliver new value to our customers, and empower our people to grow and thrive. This is about building not only better quality products—but a better future.”

A key focus of Kobayashi’s mandate will be advancing the company’s decarbonization goals, including a targeted 80% reduction in Scope 1 & 2 greenhouse gas emissions and a 30% reduction in Scope 3 emissions by 2030. These efforts are exemplified by the launch of BetterBillet™, YKK AP’s in-house produced, low-carbon aluminum billet, which underscores its commitment to responsible sourcing with business partners to create new value and high-performance products.

“From the Macon greenfield plant, to the expansion on the West Coast, to the decisions we make around material sourcing and responsible manufacturing practices, Kobayashi’s leadership will ensure that every investment is aligned with our larger purpose of building a better society through architectural products,” concluded Stepe.

ABOUT YKK AP AMERICA

YKK AP America Inc. is a leading manufacturer of award-winning commercial facade systems and residential windows and doors. Headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia, all building products are manufactured in the company’s world-class production facilities located in Dublin, Ga., Macon, Ga., and Lakeshore, Ontario. Together with its subsidiary brand, Erie Architectural Products (Erie AP), the company serves architects, glazing contractors, homebuilders, and resellers across the country. YKK AP America Inc. is a subsidiary of YKK AP Inc., a global architectural products company based in Tokyo, Japan.

For more information, visit www.ykkap.com.