Global private equity firm KPS Capital Partners has broadened its international presence by launching KPS Asia, a new regional platform designed to strengthen its investment activities across Asian manufacturing and industrial markets.
The expansion marks another milestone in the firm’s long-term global growth strategy and will be supported by the opening of a new office in Tokyo.
Veteran Industrial Executive to Lead Regional Operations
To oversee its new Asia-focused business, KPS has appointed Takajiro “Tak” Ishikawa as President of KPS Asia.
Based in Tokyo, he will direct the firm’s investment initiatives throughout the region, bringing decades of experience in industrial leadership, corporate transformation, and international investment.
Ishikawa joins KPS after a distinguished 43-year career with Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI) and Mitsubishi Corporation (MC).
During that time, he held several high-profile executive positions, including Executive Vice President of Mitsubishi Heavy Industries and President and Chief Executive Officer of MHI North America.
Extensive Experience Across Global Industrial Markets
Throughout his career, Ishikawa has overseen investments in industrial businesses across multiple continents, including Asia, North America, Latin America, and Europe.
His expertise spans a broad range of sectors, such as mining, steel production, aviation, automotive components, power generation, and industrial infrastructure.
His background combines strategic corporate leadership with financial investment experience, positioning him to guide KPS’ expansion into one of the world’s most important industrial regions.
Strong Track Record in Investment and Business Development
Earlier in his career at Mitsubishi Corporation, Ishikawa played a significant role in expanding the company’s financial services operations.
As Senior Vice President and Division Chief Operating Officer, he helped develop the business into a diversified multi-asset investment platform managing more than $24 billion in assets.
He later established Mitsubishi Heavy Industries’ Investment & Business Development Group, leading investments in sectors focused on defense, low-carbon power generation, and climate-related technologies, further strengthening his experience in identifying long-term industrial growth opportunities.
KPS Continues Building a Global Industrial Investment Network
Founded more than three decades ago, KPS Capital Partners specializes exclusively in investments involving manufacturing and industrial businesses.
The firm currently manages approximately $18.6 billion in assets and oversees a portfolio of companies that collectively generate around $25.5 billion in annual revenue.
As of March 31, 2026, businesses within the KPS portfolio operate 277 manufacturing facilities across 22 countries and employ approximately 62,000 people through wholly owned operations and joint ventures worldwide.
Asia Expansion Follows Successful European Growth
The creation of KPS Asia builds on the firm’s earlier international expansion into Europe, where it established a Frankfurt office in 2010.
With the addition of its Tokyo location, KPS continues to broaden its global reach alongside its existing offices in New York, Washington, D.C., Chicago, London, Amsterdam, and now Tokyo.
The new Asia platform reflects the firm’s commitment to expanding its presence in key industrial markets while strengthening its ability to identify investment opportunities across major manufacturing economies.
