Topcon creates new construction business unit for the Americas

LIVERMORE, Calif. – June 15, 2009 – Ray O’Connor, executive officer of Topcon Corporation and president and CEO of Topcon Positioning Systems (TPS), announced the formation of a new business unit created to focus exclusively on the construction market.

Topcon’s survey instrument division also becomes a separate business unit.  O’Connor said, “We are taking the two premier brands in the survey global marketplace – Topcon and Sokkia – and building an organization to maximize our opportunities in every segment of the survey business.”

O’Connor said, “For construction, it is not so much a change in operation as it is a reinforcement of the importance of Topcon’s construction industry business.”

Jamie Williamson, senior vice president and general manager, will head up the TPS Construction Business Unit.  Williamson has been with Topcon for 14 years and served as TPS senior vice president of sales and marketing until 2008 when he became senior vice president and general manager of the TPS Survey and Construction Business Unit. 

O’Connor said, “Jamie and his team have extensive experience in the construction industry.  Their dedication to excellence in all aspects of the business will enable TPS to grow our business exponentially. We look forward to Jamie continuing to build this organization, taking advantage of new opportunities for TPS in the construction industry.”

Murray Lodge will continue as vice president of construction sales in the new business unit. Lodge was promoted to his current position in 2008 after serving as director of construction sales.  O’Connor said, “Murray has excelled in each of his roles at Topcon, consistently providing broad-ranging leadership in the construction sales area.”  

Mark Contino has been named vice president of product marketing for construction and Topcon’s other four business units.  He will report to O’Connor.

O’Connor said, “I am proud to have Mark in this new position, where he will provide invaluable service to our business units. His extensive knowledge of our technology and markets is invaluable.  Mark has the unique ability to analyze and market our most complex products in a way that quickly educates all concerned.”  Additionally, Contino will continue to develop and expand the Topcon University training program.

TPS has an extensive construction dealer network in the U.S., Canada and South America carrying the Topcon line of construction products including machine control systems, lasers, and construction total stations, plus other products.

“The TPS distributor network is the best in the business,” O’Connor said. “Maintaining our strong relationship with our dealers and customers will be a top priority.  We pledge to enhance and expand these relationship in many areas.”

Williamson said, “Topcon has led the construction industry in innovative new products and I am proud to have been chosen to lead the business unit.” 

O’Connor said the new business unit “encompasses every aspect of our operations from product development straight through the operations to serving the needs of the customers. It provides unlimited opportunities for our companies, employees, distribution network, as well as for our customers and potential customers.”

The Topcon brand is known, O’Connor said, “worldwide for quality products that surpass every expectation in the most critical of areas – saving of time, thus increasing productivity.  This new structure will enable us to continue to focus resources on building strong partnerships in the construction marketplace.”

Topcon Positioning Systems, Inc. (TPS) designs and manufactures precise positioning products and solutions for the global surveying, construction, agriculture, civil engineering, mapping and GIS, asset management and mobile control markets. TPS’ parent company, Topcon Corporation (Tokyo Stock Exchange  – 7732), was founded in 1932.