DETROIT, July 19, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- American Axle &
Manufacturing Co-Founder Richard E. "Dick" Dauch has been inducted
into the Automotive Hall of Fame. Described as an innovative
manufacturing strategist, Dauch was honored for his expansive
career which included leadership positions at both the automotive
OEM and supplier levels.
"Dick Dauch was known for many
things - an icon in the industry, a pillar in the community and a
leader amongst leaders, but most importantly it was his passion for
manufacturing, commitment to customers and his dedication to
mentoring and developing his team that made him a legend in
Detroit and around the world,"
said David C. Dauch, AAM Chairman
and Chief Executive Officer. "We thank the Automotive Hall of Fame
and are honored that he joins their prestigious ranks. While we
wish he were here to celebrate, I know that he would have been both
humbled and grateful for this recognition."
After graduating from Purdue
University in 1964 with his Bachelor of Science in
Industrial Management, Dick Dauch
began his career at General Motors' Chevrolet Flint Assembly plant.
He was later promoted to Plant Manager of Chevrolet Livonia Spring
& Bumper in 1973, making him one of the youngest Plant Managers
in GM's history at the time.
After ascending through various leadership roles within GM,
Dauch joined Volkswagen in 1976. Dauch was part of the
Volkswagen of America team, that at the time, established the first
successful transplant assembly facility in the U.S. Dauch led
all manufacturing efforts for Volkswagen of America, including the
launch of the highly successful VW Rabbit.
In 1980, Lee Iacocca recruited
Dauch to join Chrysler Corporation to resurrect the company's
ailing manufacturing operations. With his visionary,
people-oriented, no-nonsense leadership approach, he planned and
directed the implementation of Chrysler's world-recognized,
just-in-time materials management system, in-line sequencing and
three-shift assembly pattern capability. He also directed the
construction of the Chrysler Technical Center, three new assembly
plants and all production and launch activity including the
groundbreaking new Chrysler Minivan.
In 1992, GM announced that 18 of its manufacturing plants were
for sale, including five that encompassed the Final Drive and Forge
Business Unit of the company. In response to the announcement,
Dauch, who had recently retired from the Chrysler Corporation as
Executive Vice President Worldwide Manufacturing, formed a small
investment team to purchase the five driveline and forging assets
that GM had up for sale. On March 1,
1994, AAM became a stand-alone, independent company.
Headquartered in Detroit, AAM has over 25,000 associates
operating at nearly 90 facilities in 17 countries with sales in
excess of $7.0 billion.
"Twenty-five years ago, the idea for a global, Tier 1
automotive supplier was born at our family's kitchen table," said
David C. Dauch. "Over the years
we've grown into a global company focused on exceeding our
customers' expectations and developing the industry's best
Driveline, Metal Forming and Casting technology. As we celebrate
our silver anniversary this year, we remain focused on Delivering
Power through our innovative products, industry-leading quality,
process-driven operational excellence and technology leadership.
But we also remember that relationships are vital, and we continue
to strengthen both our connection to our customers and the
community as well as other key stakeholders. We are honored to
carry on my father's legacy and continue to represent the
standards, values, principles and beliefs by which he led his
life."
Dick Dauch's reputation as a
manufacturing expert and entrepreneur is widely recognized in
North America and around the
world. He lectured extensively on the subject of world-class
manufacturing and authored two books, "Passion for Manufacturing"
and "American Drive."
In addition to his indelible influence on the global automotive
manufacturing industry, Dauch was also an active and respected
philanthropist and community leader. He held various board
leadership positions with organizations like the National
Association of Manufacturers, the Detroit Economic Club, the
Detroit Renaissance and the Detroit Regional Chamber, Focus Hope
and the United Way for Southeastern
Michigan.
Donations from the Dauch family also helped create the Dauch
Center for Management of Manufacturing Enterprises and the Dick and
Sandy Dauch Alumni Center at Purdue
University, as well as the Richard E. and Sandra J. Dauch College of Business and
Economics at Ashland University.
Additionally, the Dauch family partnered with the National Football
League to establish the NFL/YET Boys & Girls Club at the Dick
& Sandy Dauch Campus in
Detroit and collaborated with the
Boy Scouts of America to establish the Dauch Scout Center in
Detroit.
About AAM
AAM (NYSE: AXL) delivers POWER that moves
the world. As a leading global Tier 1 automotive supplier, AAM
designs, engineers and manufactures driveline, metal forming and
casting technologies that are making the next generation of
vehicles smarter, lighter, safer and more efficient. Headquartered
in Detroit, AAM has over 25,000
associates operating at nearly 90 facilities in 17 countries to
support our customers on global and regional platforms with a focus
on quality, operational excellence and technology leadership.
To learn more, visit aam.com.
Media Contact: Andrea
Knapp, andrea.knapp@aam.com, 248 321 5653
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SOURCE American Axle & Manufacturing Holdings, Inc.