Accuride Corporation (NYSE: ACW), a leading supplier of components to the commercial vehicle industry, has named Greg Kern the new Vice President of the company's Imperial Group business unit.
Kern joined Accuride in March 2011 as Director of Operations, Gunite and Machining. He is an accomplished manufacturing manager with strong experience in automotive components, high-volume environments, metal products, and Lean manufacturing. Prior to joining Accuride, Greg was President of Lake Erie Products Special Fasteners; served as Vice President of Operations, Vice President of Powertrain Operations and Vice President of Manufacturing at GKN Sinter Metals; and held a number of positions at Dana Corporation, including Plant Manager for Dana's Gresen Hydraulics Division and Spicer Axle Division.
"Imperial Group is an integral part of Accuride's overall business unit portfolio, enabling us to effectively meet our customers' diverse commercial vehicle component needs," said Accuride President and CEO Rick Dauch. "With the right leadership team in place, Imperial Group will continue to provide consistently high product quality and impeccable customer service, while also implementing Lean manufacturing systems and other measures to optimize overall operating performance."
Kern's appointment is one more step toward putting the right leadership team in place to improve Imperial Group's financial and operational performance, particularly at the Decatur, Texas, plant, which has experienced operational inefficiencies stemming from its expanded production volume and product portfolio.
Last month, Accuride appointed Terry Ward to be the new Plant Manager for Imperial Group's operations in Decatur and Denton, Texas. Ward joined Accuride in June 2011 as Director of Lean Manufacturing Systems and Industrial Engineering; and has more than 30 years of operations and engineering management experience. Immediately prior to joining Accuride, he served for three years as Plant Manager for Tenneco, servicing Toyota and Caterpillar. Before his civilian work experience, Terry served in the Armor Corps of the United States Army and earned the Bronze Star.
About Imperial Group
Imperial Group, a business unit of Accuride Corporation, is a leading manufacturer and supplier truck body and chassis components, primarily for heavy- and medium-duty truck and bus manufacturers and suppliers. Imperial Group's broad product line, totaling more than 15,000 different part numbers, includes bumpers, battery and tool boxes, crown assemblies, exhaust stacks and assemblies, fuel tanks, hoods, roofs, cab skins, fenders, grills, cross-members, motor mounts, frame components, brackets, and other internal and external components. In addition, Imperial Group provides a variety of value-added services, such as chrome plating and polishing, and the kitting and assembly of exhaust systems.
About Accuride Corporation
With headquarters in Evansville, Ind., USA, Accuride Corporation is a leading supplier of components to the commercial vehicle industry. The company's products include commercial vehicle wheels, wheel-end components and assemblies, truck body and chassis parts, and other commercial vehicle components. The company's products are marketed under its brand names, which include Accuride®, Gunite®, ImperialTM and BrillionTM. Accuride's common stock trades on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol ACW. For more information, visit the Company's website at http://www.AccurideCorp.com.
Contacts:
Accuride Corporation
Investor Relations: Chad Monroe, 812-962-5041
or
Media
Relations: Katy Nimnicht
Office: 812-962-5011
Mobile:
812-205-6895
knimnicht@accuridecorp.com
