Hitachi vs Post Holdings: Founders, CEOs and History
Hitachi was founded in 1910 by Namihei Odaira and is led by Toshiaki Tokunaga. Post Holdings was founded in 2012 by William P. Stiritz and is led by Nicolas Catoggio.
Company facts
Hitachi
- Founded
- 1910
- Headquarters
- Tokyo, Japan
- Current CEO
- Toshiaki Tokunaga
- Employees
- 287,901
Post Holdings
- Founded
- 2012
- Headquarters
- St. Louis, Missouri
- Current CEO
- Nicolas Catoggio
- Employees
- 13,180
Founders
Hitachi
Namihei Odaira
Hitachi possesses a historic, foundational founding story, rooted in the industrialization of early 20th-century Japan and driven by a nationalist obsession with technological independence.
Post Holdings
William P. Stiritz
William P. Stiritz is the founding Chairman and CEO of the modern Post Holdings. When Ralcorp spun off its Post cereal business in February 2012, Stiritz took charge of the new company and began the acquisition strategy that later added Michael Foods and MOM B…
CEOs and their tenures
Hitachi
- Toshiaki Higashihara2016–2022
Former President and Chief Executive Officer
Shifted Hitachi from a sprawling conglomerate toward infrastructure and digital businesses.
Source - Keiji Kojima2022–2025
Executive Chairman (CEO 2022-2025)
Finished much of the portfolio cleanup and handed over a more focused group to Tokunaga.
Source - Toshiaki Tokunaga2025–present
President and Chief Executive Officer
Brings an energy and rail background to the top job as Hitachi Energy and Hitachi Rail drive more of the group's growth.
Source
Post Holdings
- William P. Stiritz2012–2014
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer
As the legendary Chairman and former CEO, the highly revered financial architect completely defined the company's complex, private-equity-style corporate structure.
Source - Robert V. Vitale2014–present
Executive Chairman (CEO 2014-2026)
Previously Post's CFO; from October 1, 2026 advises on capital allocation as Executive Chairman.
Source - Matthew J. Mainer2022–present
Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer
As CFO, he steers the company's aggressive, highly acquisitive capital allocation strategy, acting as the primary architect behind its massive M&A playbook.
Source - Nicolas Catoggio2026–present
President and Chief Executive Officer
Former Boston Consulting Group Managing Director and Senior Partner who advised Post on M&A diligence and integrations before joining.
Source
Timeline: Hitachi and Post Holdings side by side
1910Hitachi
Founding and First Induction Motor
Namihei Odaira establishes the machinery repair shop that becomes Hitachi, and develops Japan's first 5-horsepower induction motor, establishing the foundation for the company's dominance in electrical engineering.
1932Hitachi
Expansion into Railway Technology
Hitachi begins manufacturing electric locomotives and rail signaling systems, establishing a deep, institutionalized relationship with the Japanese national railway network that would evolve into the modern Hitachi Rail division.
1959Hitachi
Entry into Computing and Electronics
Hitachi develops its first electronic computer, the HITAC, marking the company's strategic entry into the information technology sector and laying the groundwork for its future digital systems business.
2012Post Holdings
Post Holdings Spin-Off
Post completed its separation from Ralcorp and began trading on the NYSE.
2014Post Holdings
Michael Foods Acquisition
Post expanded into egg products and foodservice through Michael Foods.
2015Post Holdings
MOM Brands Acquisition
Post broadened its cereal portfolio with MOM Brands.
2016Hitachi
Toshiaki Higashihara becomes CEO
Toshiaki Higashihara became CEO of Hitachi in 2016. Shifted Hitachi from a sprawling conglomerate toward infrastructure and digital businesses.
2017Post Holdings
Weetabix Acquisition
Post added the U.K. Weetabix cereal business.
2018Post Holdings
Bob Evans Acquisition
Post expanded refrigerated retail and foodservice exposure.
2020Hitachi
Acquisition of ABB's Power Grids Business
Hitachi executes the $11 billion acquisition of ABB's Power Grids business, renaming it Hitachi Energy and instantly establishing the company as the global leader in HVDC transmission and grid infrastructure.
2021Hitachi
Acquisition of GlobalLogic
The company acquires the global digital engineering firm GlobalLogic for $9.6 billion, instantly establishing Hitachi as a top-tier provider of advanced software and product design services for the automotive and telecommunications sectors.
2022Hitachi
Hitachi Construction Machinery Stake Sale
Hitachi sold a controlling stake in Hitachi Construction Machinery to Itochu and Japan Industrial Partners, part of its exit from cyclical listed subsidiaries.
2024Hitachi
Acquired Thales Ground Transportation Systems
Hitachi acquired Thales Ground Transportation Systems. Hitachi Rail completed its ~$1.88 billion (EUR 1.66 billion) acquisition of Thales's Ground Transportation Systems business, its rail signalling division, expanding Hitachi Rail to 51 countries and shiftin…
2025Hitachi
Toshiaki Tokunaga Becomes CEO
Toshiaki Tokunaga became President and CEO on April 1, 2025, succeeding Keiji Kojima, who became Executive Chairman.
2025Post Holdings
8th Avenue Acquired
Post acquired the remaining interest in 8th Avenue Food & Provisions.
2026Hitachi
Record Results and Home Appliance Sale
Hitachi reported record FY2025 profit in April 2026 and agreed to sell 80.1% of its home appliance business to Nojima for about $737 million (¥110 billion).
2026Post Holdings
CEO Transition
Nicolas Catoggio became President and CEO on October 1, 2026.
Acquisitions
Hitachi
- Thales Ground Transportation Systems2024Undisclosed
- GlobalLogic2021Undisclosed
- ABB Power Grids2020Undisclosed
Post Holdings
- 8th Avenue Food & Provisions2025Undisclosed
- Pet Food Portfolio (J.M. Smucker)2023$1.2B
- Bob Evans Farms2018$1.5B
- Weetabix2017Undisclosed
- MOM Brands (Malt-O-Meal)2015$1.1B
- Michael Foods2014$2.5B
Questions about Hitachi vs Post Holdings
Who is the CEO of Hitachi, Ltd. and Post Holdings, Inc.?
Hitachi, Ltd. is led by Toshiaki Tokunaga and Post Holdings, Inc. is led by Nicolas Catoggio. Both serve as the top executive responsible for the company's strategy, operations, and financial performance.
When was Hitachi, Ltd. founded vs Post Holdings, Inc.?
Hitachi, Ltd. was founded in 1910 — 102 years before Post Holdings, Inc., which was founded in 2012. Hitachi, Ltd.'s longer operating history gives it a deeper track record but also potentially more institutional inertia compared to the younger Post Holdings, Inc..
How many employees does Hitachi, Ltd. have compared to Post Holdings, Inc.?
Hitachi, Ltd. employs approximately 287,901 people, while Post Holdings, Inc. employs approximately 13,180. Hitachi, Ltd. has the larger workforce at 287,901 employees, compared to Post Holdings, Inc.'s 13,180. A higher headcount does not necessarily imply greater efficiency — it often reflects differences in business model (e.g., manufacturing vs. software).
Where are Hitachi, Ltd. and Post Holdings, Inc. headquartered?
Hitachi, Ltd. is headquartered in Japan and Post Holdings, Inc. is headquartered in United States. Their different home markets mean they may face different regulatory frameworks, tax regimes, and currency exposure.
Who founded Hitachi, Ltd. and Post Holdings, Inc.?
Hitachi, Ltd. was founded by Namihei Odaira. Post Holdings, Inc. was founded by William P. Stiritz.
Which company has a longer operating history — Hitachi, Ltd. or Post Holdings, Inc.?
Hitachi, Ltd. has been operating for approximately 116 years, making it the more established of the two companies. Post Holdings, Inc. has been in operation for around 14 years. A longer operating history often signals greater institutional resilience and brand recognition, though it can also mean slower adaptation to new market conditions.
Figures come from each company's filings and the sources linked beside them. Amounts reported in another currency are shown in US dollars at an approximate rate and marked with ~. Back to the Hitachi vs Post Holdings overview