Sakura Finetek USA, Inc. Announces New President/COO

TORRANCE, CA – Sakura Finetek USA today announced Kam Patel has been named President and Chief Operating Officer (COO), effective immediately. As President and COO, Mr. Patel will have responsibility for the Company's operating unit. He will report directly to the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Takashi Tsuzuki.

Mr. Patel has served Sakura Finetek in his role as Chief Financial Officer (CFO) since 2007, responsible for all of the Company’s financial and administrative functions, including taxation, treasury and information technology.

“Kam has successfully gained the trust and respect of all of our employees, our senior management teams in the U.S. and the other Sakura companies through his leadership abilities with a strong commitment to our operational results and core values,” said Takashi Tsuzuki, “and has shown a capacity to manage multiple business initiatives, such as the closing of the Genemed Biotechnologies acquisition transaction in 2015 and its integration into our business”.

Mr. Patel joined Sakura Finetek USA from Powerwave Technologies, where he served as their Global Operations Controller from 2003 to 2007, overseeing its production sites and supply chain management initiatives in the Americas, Europe and Asia. From 2002 to 2003, Mr. Patel was Controller of Flowserve’s hydraulic pump manufacturing division, responsible for all of its finances, administration and operations. From 1997 to 2002, Mr. Patel was part of Coca-Cola Enterprises, initially as their Western North American Group I.T. Director and later Controller of their largest operating division in North America, where he was responsible for all of its centralized financial and accounting services. Before joining Coca-Cola Enterprises, Mr. Patel fulfilled several roles in multiple countries for AST Computers, ranging from Financial Manager (1990) to Worldwide Controller (1997). In 1989, he joined EMI Musicas a Manufacturing Analyst for its cassette and vinyl production site. He started his career in 1984 as a Distribution Analyst for Schweppes Limited in London, UK, supporting its depot network operations.

Mr. Patel graduated from Nottingham Trent University (UK) with a Bachelor of Arts (with Honors) in Accounting & Finance. He also graduated with an MBA and a Masters in Information Technology Management from DeVry University. He is a qualified Chartered Management Accountant (London, UK).

About Sakura Finetek USA, Inc.
With the U.S. office based in Torrance, California, Sakura Finetek is the global leader in continuous innovation for pathology by providing integrated solutions for anatomic pathology and patients through best-in-class innovation, quality and customer care. With a strategic focus on end-to-end automation, Sakura Finetek continues to lead the industry in the development and commercialization of automated histology instrumentation and consumables for anatomic pathology. Sakura Finetek systems dramatically increase efficiency, standardize results, and allow customers to more simply manage their daily workload while significantly influencing patient care.

For more information regarding the Tissue-Tek Genie Advanced Staining Solutions or any Sakura Finetek products, please visit our website or contact:

Erico von Bueren
Director of Marketing
Sakura Finetek USA, Inc.
1750 W. 214th St.
Torrance, CA 90501
evonbueren@sakuraus.com

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