Co-Founder, Chairman of the Board & CEO American Axle & Manufacturing (Deceased) – Detroit, Michigan
Richard E. Dauch began his career in 1964 when he joined General Motors Corporation following graduation from Purdue University, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in industrial management and science. During his 12 years with GM, he became the youngest plant manager in Chevrolet’s history. In 1976, he joined Volkswagen of America, where he served as group vice president of Manufacturing Operations and as a member of the Board of Directors. Lee Iacocca recruited him to Chrysler Corporation in 1980 to resurrect the company’s ailing manufacturing operations. As executive vice president of Worldwide Manufacturing, Mr. Dauch was the driving force behind Chrysler’s manufacturing and quality renaissance with his visionary, get-it-done management style. In 1994, he co-founded American Axle & Manufacturing, which today is a Fortune 500 company and one of the top 30 automotive suppliers in the world. In addition to lecturing extensively on the subject of world-class manufacturing, Mr. Dauch has authored a book titled “Passion for Manufacturing,” which is distributed worldwide and used as textbook material at colleges and universities. He has been the recipient of numerous honors, including the Wayne State University, College of Business Administration’s Michigan Executive of the Year and the Detroit Regional Chamber’s World Trader of the Year. Mr. Dauch is the chairman of the National Association of Manufacturers (NAM) and serves on the boards of directors of the Michigan Manufacturers Association, Detroit Renaissance, and the Economic Club of Detroit, and is immediate past chairman of The Manufacturing Institute.
