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Charlotte Stonestreet
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Omron appoints new president and CEO of Industrial Automation
01 April 2026
OMRON HAS announced the appointment of Virendra Shelar as Executive Officer, President and CEO of Omron Europe B.V., effective 1 April 2026. He will be based at Omron's European headquarters in Hoofddorp, the Netherlands.

Shelar brings more than 25 years of experience in high-tech industry, leadership development, and business transformation. He joined Omron in 2014 and has held a series of progressive leadership roles, including president of the Omron Management Centre Asia Pacific, general manager of the Global HR Strategy Department, chairman of the Omron Management Centre Europe, and senior general manager of Global Business Operations and Services within the Industrial Automation business.
Throughout his tenure at Omron, Shelar has championed business strategy formation, organisation transformation, leadership development, driving sustainability and digital transformation. He is widely recognised for his ability to transform operations and build high-performing teams cultivating the next generation of leaders.
Shelar comments: “I am honoured to take on this responsibility. Europe is a region of tremendous strategic importance and home to world-class manufacturing, deep engineering expertise, and customers who demand the very best in automation solutions. I look forward to working closely with our teams, partners, and customers to accelerate our growth, drive innovation, and contribute to a more sustainable and resilient industrial future. Together, we will build on the strong foundation that has been established and move forward with energy and purpose.”
Shelar succeeds Fernando Colás, who has led Omron's European business with distinction and dedicated more than 40 years to Omron. Over the course of his career, he has witnessed and contributed to shaping the evolution of industrial automation across Europe. Mr. Colás will step away from his executive role, leaving behind a lasting legacy of customer focus, strong partnerships, and sustainable growth.
Colás comments: “It has been a privilege to lead Omron’s business in Europe over these past years. I am proud of what our teams have built, as well as the resilience and the commitment to long-term value that defines us today. Virendra brings exceptional experience, a deep understanding of our business, and a clear vision for the future. I wish him and the entire team every success in the years ahead.”
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