DEARBORN, Mich. — Ford Motor Co. has announced senior management changes in Europe and North America designed to strengthen its global manufacturing operations and achieve better alignment with Ford’s other global functions.
Effective Dec. 1, James Tetreault, 52, vice president, Manufacturing, Ford of Europe, will return to the United States and become vice president, North America Manufacturing. As part of his role in leading Ford’s North America Manufacturing operations, Tetreault will drive Ford’s continued efforts to improve manufacturing flexibility and efficiency in North America as the company retools several truck factories to launch a host of smaller, more fuel efficient vehicles.
Tetreault will be replaced by Ken Macfarlane, 58, as vice president, Manufacturing, Ford of Europe. Macfarlane, currently director, Manufacturing Operations, North American Truck, becomes a Ford VP with this new assignment. Macfarlane will continue to build upon Ford’s progress to implement lean, flexible and efficient manufacturing practices in Europe.
Tetreault and Macfarlane will report to Joe Hinrichs, Ford group vice president, Global Manufacturing and Labor Affairs. Macfarlane also will report to John Fleming, Ford executive vice president and chairman and CEO, Ford of Europe.
The organizational changes will allow Hinrichs to focus on driving common best practices across Ford’s Global Manufacturing operations and achieve full alignment with Ford’s Global Product Development and Global Purchasing operations. Hinrichs will continue to oversee Global Labor Affairs and Automotive Components Holdings, LLC.
Before taking his current assignment in Ford of Europe in 2005, Tetreault held several Ford Manufacturing and Quality leadership positions in North America. He joined Ford in 1988.
Macfarlane joined Ford in 1973 and has held a series of Manufacturing, Quality and Engineering leadership positions in North America.
