PFU (EMEA) Taps Global Veteran Shimizu to Steer Next Growth Phase

LONDON, UK – May 20, 2026 – PFU (EMEA) Limited, a key player in document imaging and IT infrastructure, has announced a significant leadership transition, appointing Mr. Yasunari Shimizu as its new President and Chief Executive Officer. The appointment signals a new strategic chapter for the company as it looks to build on a period of profound transformation and capitalize on its global expertise to drive future growth in the European, Middle Eastern, and African markets.

Mr. Shimizu steps into the role succeeding Mr. Hiroaki Kashiwagi, who has retired from the position after a five-year tenure marked by significant change and strategic repositioning. The company has confirmed that Mr. Kashiwagi will work closely with his successor in the coming months to ensure a seamless and stable handover of leadership.

A Legacy of Transformation

Mr. Kashiwagi’s leadership, which began on April 1, 2021, is widely credited with navigating PFU (EMEA) through a critical "period of transformation in an evolving market." His tenure was defined by a pivotal corporate shift: the acquisition of PFU Limited by Ricoh in September 2022, which transitioned the company from being a part of Fujitsu to a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Ricoh Group. This move fundamentally reshaped PFU's corporate identity and strategic alliances, setting the stage for deeper integration within the broader office and digital solutions ecosystem.

Under Mr. Kashiwagi's direction, the company also began to expand its strategic focus beyond its renowned ScanSnap and fi-Series document scanners. Recognizing the changing needs of the modern workplace, PFU (EMEA) diversified its portfolio to include "Smart Meeting Devices," such as advanced conference products and projectors. This diversification represented a deliberate move to address the growing demand for comprehensive collaboration tools, particularly in the wake of widespread adoption of hybrid work models.

The board and senior leadership have been vocal in their appreciation for the outgoing CEO's contributions. "On behalf of the Board, I would like to thank Mr. Kashiwagi for his leadership and service over the past five years," stated Brian Fortune, General Manager of Sales for PFU (EMEA) Limited. "His vision and dedication have set us on course to keep leading the market through our commitment to innovation and quality." These efforts have established the "strong foundations" upon which Mr. Shimizu is now tasked to build.

A New Leader with a Global Vision

The appointment of Mr. Yasunari Shimizu brings a leader with a wealth of international experience to the helm of PFU's EMEA operations. His background includes extensive leadership roles within PFU's Japanese and various overseas companies, providing him with a holistic understanding of the company's global strategy and diverse market dynamics. Most notably, his recent tenure as the Chairman of PFU America, Inc. demonstrates proven success in managing and growing the business in another major international market.

This global perspective is seen as a key asset as PFU (EMEA) continues to navigate the complexities of the regional technology landscape. The board has expressed strong confidence in his ability to steer the company forward. "The Board is delighted to welcome Mr. Shimizu," Mr. Fortune added. "His experience and leadership style make him exceptionally well suited to guide PFU (EMEA) Limited as we continue to execute our strategy and deliver value for our customers, partners, and employees."

For his part, Mr. Shimizu has expressed enthusiasm for his new role and the opportunity it presents. "I am honoured to join PFUE as President & CEO," Mr. Shimizu commented. "I look forward to working closely with the team to build on the company's strengths and lead the organisation through its next chapter." His leadership is expected to blend strategic continuity with a fresh, globally-informed approach to innovation and market expansion.

Navigating a Dynamic Market Landscape

Mr. Shimizu takes charge at a time when the document imaging and IT infrastructure sectors are being reshaped by powerful technological forces. The overarching trend of Digital Transformation (DX) continues to compel organizations to digitize workflows, automate processes, and unlock the value of their data. PFU's core mission to "contribute to customers' business process reforms and Digital Transformation" places it at the center of this movement.

The new leadership will need to navigate a market increasingly influenced by artificial intelligence (AI) and cloud computing. The industry is moving beyond simple document capture towards intelligent document processing, where AI-powered software automatically extracts, classifies, and routes information. Simultaneously, the ubiquity of the cloud demands that hardware and software solutions are seamlessly integrated with platforms like Microsoft Azure, AWS, and Google Cloud to support modern, distributed workforces.

Furthermore, the permanence of hybrid work models has created a sustained need for secure, efficient, and collaborative digital tools. This reinforces the strategic importance of PFU's scanners and its newer smart meeting devices. However, it also raises the competitive stakes, as a host of technology providers vie for a share of the enterprise IT budget. Data privacy and security, governed by stringent regulations like GDPR in the EMEA region, remain a paramount concern, making robust security features a critical differentiator for any IT solution provider.

The Ricoh Synergy and Future Strategy

A central element of PFU's future strategy under Mr. Shimizu will undoubtedly be the deepening of its integration with parent company Ricoh. The 2022 acquisition created a powerful synergy, combining PFU's best-in-class scanner technology with Ricoh's vast portfolio of multifunction devices, managed print services, and extensive enterprise sales channels. Mr. Shimizu's challenge and opportunity will be to fully leverage this relationship to create a more comprehensive and compelling value proposition for customers.

This integration could manifest in several ways, from co-developed products that blend scanning and printing functions to unified service offerings that provide end-to-end document lifecycle management. By tapping into Ricoh’s established customer base, PFU has a significant opportunity to expand its market reach and cross-sell its specialized capture solutions into larger enterprise accounts.

This strategic alignment also reshapes PFU's competitive position. While it continues to compete with traditional scanner manufacturers like Canon, Epson, and Kodak Alaris, its place within the Ricoh family positions it as part of a much larger digital services ecosystem. The future focus is likely to be less on standalone hardware and more on how PFU's "edge devices" can serve as the crucial on-ramp for broader digital transformation initiatives and business process automation solutions offered by Ricoh. Mr. Shimizu’s global experience will be instrumental in navigating this evolution, ensuring that PFU (EMEA) not only maintains its leadership in document capture but also becomes an indispensable partner in its customers' journey toward a fully digital workplace.