FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
McCarthy Group, AJ Nonwoven's exclusive Automotive partner, Expands Presence in Japan and South Korea to Strengthen Support for OEM and Tier Customers

Grand Rapids, MI, January 22, 2026 — McCarthy Group formally announced the expansion of its footprint in Asia with new offices in Yokohama, Japan and Seoul, South Korea, effective immediately, further strengthening its ability to serve OEM and Tier customers across the region and in North America. McCarthy Group is the exclusive partner for AJ Nonwovens Automotive products. 

As part of the Japan expansion, McCarthy Group has added Takayuki Masuda and established a new office in Yokohama. Masuda San is a longtime automotive industry veteran with deep customer and supply-base experience, broad product and process knowledge, and particular expertise in the interior trim segment.

In South Korea, McCarthy Group has added Alex You and Andrew Ahn, along with a new office in Seoul. You and his team, bring more than a decade of experience as a business development firm focused on the automotive interior trim segment, supported by strong engineering and product development/quality capabilities and extensive industry connectivity.

McCarthy Group serves as AJ Nonwovens’ exclusive partner in supporting the growing automotive textile industry. As Japanese and Korean OEMs expand their manufacturing presence in North America and shift toward localized supply chains, AJ Nonwovens is well-positioned to meet their evolving needs.

“With these expansions, we are now better positioned than ever to deepen relationships and deliver even stronger support to our OEM and Tier customers in Japan, South Korea, and North America,” said Derrick J. McCarthy, President & CEO, McCarthy Group. “We are fortunate and honored to welcome Takayuki Masuda, Alex You, Andrew Ahn, and the AJ Partners team to our growing organization. We look forward to partnering closely with customers in these critically important automotive markets.”

With a shared commitment to excellence and high standards of ethical business development, McCarthy Group expects the expanded presence in South Korea to support growth with key customers, including Hyundai Motor Group, and others in the region.

McCarthy Group encourages customers, partners, and colleagues to extend a warm welcome and support to the teams in Yokohama and Seoul as they begin their new missions.

About McCarthy Group

McCarthy Group is a business development company that prides itself on its industry expertise, strong understanding of technical processes, and hands-on experience at multiple levels within the markets served. Based in Grand Rapids, Michigan and Mexico City, Mexico, McCarthy Group has more than fifty years of experience creating custom solutions from design through functional product in the automotive industry.

About AJ Nonwovens
AJ Nonwovens (AJNW) is a leading manufacturer of advanced nonwoven materials serving automotive, flooring, filtration, and specialty markets. With a strong focus on innovation and customer collaboration, AJNW delivers tailored solutions that combine performance, reliability, and sustainability.

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