Executive Changes at American Axle

With a three-month-long strike settled, American Axle & Manufacturing has instituted an executive change. David C. Dauch has been named president and chief operating officer of the driveline components producer.

Meanwhile, Richard F. Dauch has taken a position as president and CEO of Acument Global Technologies Inc. He replaces Joseph Gray at that Troy, MI-based fastener manufacturer. Richard Dauch had been American Axle’s executive vice president of Worldwide Manufacturing, among several other executive roles over 13 years with the company.

Both men are sons of American Axle chairman and CEO Richard E. Dauch.

David Dauch’s most recent position had been executive vice president and chief operating officer. American Axle details that he has been at work in the automotive industry for 26 years, beginning as a “manufacturing co-op student” with Chrysler Corp. while he was an undergraduate at Miami University in Ohio.

He joined the family company in 1995 as manager of Sales Administration, and was named director of Sales for GM Full-Size Truck Programs in 1996. He became v.p., Sales & Marketing in 1997. Other titles he has held have been v.p., Manufacturing, Driveline Division; senior v.p., Sales, Marketing & Driveline Division; senior v.p., Commercial; and executive v.p., Commercial & Strategic Development.

In addition to a B.S. degree in production/operations and purchasing management from Miami University, Dauch earned a M.B.A. from Michigan State University.

According to chairman Richard E. Dauch. "This appointment is part of AAM's strategic organizational development that will provide the leadership to guide AAM to its next level of profitable global growth. David's understanding of AAM's core business, strategic global growth plans and the challenges faced by today's global Tier One suppliers, will strengthen AAM as we continue to expand our product portfolio, customer base, served markets and global manufacturing footprint."