Toyota Industries Corporation Announces Global Leadership of Toyota Automated Logistics

Toyota Industries Corporation ("TICO") today announced the appointment of three industry leaders as CEOs of Toyota Automated Logistics (TAL), its new warehouse automation business. Hitoshi Matsuoka will serve as TAL’s CEO, Central. Thomas Hibinger will serve as TAL’s CEO, EMEA and APAC, and Aaron M. Jones will serve as TAL’s CEO, Americas.

Debuting at LogiMAT and MODEX, TAL unites the combined strengths of Bastian Solutions, Vanderlande’s Warehousing business, and viastore under one brand formally launching April 1, 2026. This powerful combination enables the delivery of scalable systems, intelligent software, and comprehensive lifecycle services – all with the quality and reliability associated with the Toyota brand.

“Thomas and Aaron have a solid track record of strong performance leading two of our warehouse automation businesses. Their vision has shaped the future of automated warehousing and guided the delivery of innovative and pragmatic solutions to solve customers’ complex and shifting logistics challenges,” said Hitoshi Matsuoka, Central CEO, TAL. “Their appointments as regional CEOs reflect TICO's commitment to build on the collective depth and breadth of our world-class technologies, software and services while delivering a seamless customer experience across regions.”

• Hitoshi Matsuoka, CEO, Central: Matsuoka joined Toyoda Automatic Loom Works, Ltd. (now Toyota Industries Corporation) in 1990, where he was involved in the sales of textile machinery and the materials handling equipment business. From 2020 to 2025, he served as President of Toyota Automated Logistics North America. Since 2025, Mr. Matsuoka has held the position of Executive Officer at Toyota Industries Corporation and is a board member of Toyota Material Handling Europe.

• Thomas Hibinger, CEO, EMEA and APAC: Hibinger is currently the president and CEO of viastore and leads a diverse portfolio of innovative material flow and distribution solutions. Under his strategic leadership, the company provides comprehensive warehouse automation technologies, systems and software to a vast network of more than 3,000 facilities across Europe.

• Aaron M. Jones, CEO, Americas: Jones is currently the president and CEO of Bastian Solutions, and has overseen a significant era of growth, more than quadrupling the company’s revenue. After succeeding the company’s founder as President, Jones led the organization through the transition to become a subsidiary of Toyota Automated Logistics Group as well as five strategic acquisitions.

The fast-growing market for warehouse automation is spurred by greater demand for next or same day deliveries, ever-faster throughput, absolute order accuracy and optimal warehouse performance. Through seamless integration across the automation landscape, TAL addresses these needs end to end. This approach supports organizations at every stage of their automation journey, whether taking the first steps to automate manual processes in legacy warehouses, or refining the advanced distribution centers relied on by the largest e-commerce platforms and the global fulfillment operations of leading brands.   

“Intralogistics is increasingly complex and requires a partner with deep expertise and a forward-thinking approach,” said Jones. “The launch of TAL supports these needs by drawing on the collective strength of three companies with 285 combined years of logistics experience and a track record of continual innovation for customers no matter where they are in their adoption of automation. Thomas and I are eager to reshape the logistics arena with TAL’s unified approach to offering its customers one connected solution and a seamless journey.”

“Warehouse and fulfillment operations never stop nor are they constrained by time zones or geography,” added Hibinger. “Aaron and I have the opportunity to combine the talents of TAL’s dedicated team to deliver an exceptional level of responsiveness and service. Our goal is to redefine what is possible with warehouse automation.”

Toyota Automated Logistics will share how seamless integration helps customers design and scale logistics facilities to match their business’s changing needs at LogiMAT, booth 1J31 in hall 1, and MODEX, booth #B14719. Warehouse, fulfillment and manufacturing leaders are invited to hear from Hibinger and Jones at the shows. To schedule an appointment with TAL at LogiMAT, visit toyota-automated-logistics.com/logimat. To schedule an appointment at MODEX, visit toyota-automated-logistics.com/modex. 

About Toyota Automated Logistics (TAL): As part of Toyota Industries Corporation, Toyota Automated Logistics (TAL) is a global partner for integrated warehouse automation. With its intended formation in April 2026, TAL will combine the talents of three group companies – Bastian Solutions, Vanderlande’s warehousing business and viastore – under one brand as an integrated automation hub to deliver scalable systems, intelligent software and life-cycle services.

For more information, please visit toyota-automated-logistics.com.