Presperse Announces Paulo Rodrigues as New President and CEO

On Mar 19, 2018

Somerset-based Presperse Corporation, a U.S. cosmetic ingredients supplier, together with its parent company, Sumitomo Corporation, announced new leadership appointments to support Sumitomo’s global cosmetic business. Effective April 1, Koh Akiyama, Presperse’s president and CEO, will return to Tokyo, Japan to lead Sumitomo’s Global Cosmetics Group as deputy general manager in the Medical Science Department. Current Executive Vice President of Commercial Operations at Presperse, Paulo Rodrigues, will succeed Akiyama as the new president and CEO of Presperse.

Akiyama brings a wealth of global personal care knowledge and management experience to his new role within Sumitomo. During his tenure as president and CEO, he reshaped the organization, expanded the business into many new regions and achieved strong revenue growth. Prior to joining the company in 2014, Akiyama served as chairman of the board of directors for Presperse and was also a board member of Sumitomo Corporation cosmetics group companies, Cosmotec and Summit Pharmaceuticals Europe (SPE). He brings over 30 years of experience in the chemicals industry, including nearly 15 of those years based in New York.

“Paulo has demonstrated exceptional commercial leadership since joining Presperse and has positioned the business for sustained growth through innovation and operational excellence. He has gained the respect of the employees, shareholders, and our business partners. I am looking forward to continuing to work with Paulo to grow Sumitomo’s global cosmetics business,” said Akiyama.

Rodrigues joined Presperse in July 2015 as director of sales and under his leadership, he successfully implemented several projects that delivered both top and bottom line growth. Most recently, Rodrigues has overseen all commercial operations for Presperse, including Marketing, R&D, Supply Chain, and Sales. Prior to joining Presperse, Rodrigues held senior leadership positions in personal care with Cognis, Givaudan, BASF, and DSM.

“I am honored that the Presperse Board of Directors chose me to follow in the footsteps of Akiyama and I am humbled to work with such an amazingly talented team,” said Rodrigues. “Delighting our customers as an innovation partner and delivering operational excellence will be the focus for continued future growth; combined with the backing of Sumitomo and its network, I see tremendous potential for our business in the future, and look forward to leading our team toward greater opportunities.”

In 2010, Sumitomo Corporation expanded its business in the cosmetic and personal care market by acquiring 100% ownership of Presperse. Further expanding its global footprint into South America, in 2013 Sumitomo created Cosmotec, a JV with COSMOTEC EXPECIALIDADES QUIMICAS LTDA, a leading supplier of cosmetic ingredients and pet care supplies in Brazil. Together with its other European JV company, SPE, headquartered in Dusseldorf, Sumitomo’s Cosmetic business group provides global industry coverage.

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