Greater Toronto's Top Employers (2026) Magazine - Magazine - Page 138
138
( 2026)
SPONSOR CONTENT
Yamaha drives to the future through ‘kando’
N
early a decade into
his career at Yamaha
Motor Canada Ltd.,
Jason Clark, lead of
parts distribution, is
now a key member of the Yamaha
Next Stage (YNS) program. “It’s
a large technology initiative
designed to support ongoing
innovation within the company
and a perfect example of how
Yamaha invests in its people,” says
Clark.
Over the years, Clark — who
began as a temp worker — has
advanced through multiple roles,
his career growth shaped by the
many opportunities Yamaha
continuously offers. “Doors are
constantly opening here. There
are always chances to learn, grow
and advance,” he says.
Being part of this
transformation through
innovation has been
challenging, rewarding
and something I’m
truly proud of. It’s a
perfect example of how
Yamaha invests in its
people.
— Jason Clark
Lead of Parts Distribution
Clark points to Yamaha’s threeyear Get Ready for Opportunities
at Work (GROW) development
program and other training where
he built the skills and confidence
that helped him step into a
leadership role.
Employees at Yamaha Motor Canada participate in the organization’s Kando Day in the Dirt event.
“It’s such a team-focused,
collaborative culture here. I’ve
never worked in a place where
everyone is so united to achieve
a common goal,” says Clark.
“Being part of this transformation
through innovation has been
challenging, rewarding and
something I’m truly proud of.”
For James Matthews, Yamaha’s
president and managing director,
what truly differentiates his
company is a fierce commitment
to its workplace culture. “Yamaha
prides itself on being a ‘kando’
creating company,” says Matthews,
referencing the Japanese term
for “the satisfaction you derive
from a product and the joyful
experience it provides, like riding
a motorcycle or spending time
with your family on a boat on a
lake.”
Shared kando spirit, which
infuses Yamaha’s people and
culture strategy, is the company’s
North Star as Yamaha navigates
turbulent economic conditions.
“We are always looking for
opportunities to continuously
improve through ongoing small-i
innovation, things you can do
on a day-to-day basis that build
more and more trust with key
stakeholders, whether they
be customers, dealers, vendor
partners or employees,” Matthews
says.
“One of our values that we
believe in very strongly as a
Canadian business, is Innovate
Now! That’s really a call to action
for the team to think smartly
about innovation opportunities,
be creative, curious, courageous
and look for ways to do things a
little bit differently.”
Clark sees kando woven through
Yamaha’s employee benefits and,
even more, his employer’s attitude.
“In wellness support, they are very
understanding anytime anyone’s
having a more challenging time.
Team members feel totally
supported by everyone, especially
the company,” he says.
There are employee purchase
discounts not only for the
motorcycles and watercraft made
by Yamaha Motor, but for Yamaha
Corp.’s musical instruments:
the first products manufactured
by the 138-year-old Japanese
