Auto Steel Partnership announces new executive director

SOUTHFIELD, Mich. March 13, 2017 - The Auto/Steel Partnership (A/SP), a thirty-year collaboration of auto companies and steelmakers, announced today John K. Catterall, an automotive engineering veteran in body structure, chassis and closure applications, has been named executive director of the organization.

The A/SP leverages the intellectual and technical resources of the automotive, steel and related industries and organizations to develop pre-competitive lightweight steel solutions to meet the current and future needs of automakers. This consortium has proven to be a long-time leader in delivering mass efficient, high performing, cost-effective solutions for body and chassis applications as evident by numerous applications on the road today.

"John has been an active member in the A/SP for many years and his working knowledge of the organization, as well as his deep understanding of the automotive industry made him the right candidate for the position," said Steve Gallagher, body structures technical specialist at Ford Motor Co. and chairman of A/SP's Joint Policy Council. "He has held leadership roles in several major automotive technology projects throughout his career and we look forward to John leading more advanced product and manufacturing technology projects as the partnership advances."

"With the resurgence in the automotive industry, I look forward to growing the A/SP and elevating its importance," said Catterall. "I've spent nearly four decades running advanced development projects with General Motors Co. and other organizations. My knowledge and experience will help us to be more efficient, and work more collaboratively with our members to grow the A/SP in the years to come."

Over the past year, Catterall held the position of global innovation manager for body systems at General Motors Co. In this role, he led the global innovation team in developing solutions for all body systems worldwide. During his 18 years, he held global technical leadership positions in body and chassis. Prior to General Motors Co., his career experience has been in project execution, management, coordination and technical leadership with companies such as Autokinetics, Inc., Desktop Engineering International Inc., Hartwick Professionals Inc., Lexel Engineering, H.W. Structures, Austin Rover and Leyland Vehicles.

Catterall holds degrees in Mechanical and Production Automotive Engineering from Bolton Technical College and Leyland Technical College in England, UK.

Formed in 1987, the Auto/Steel Partnership is a consortium of North American automotive companies and the Steel Market Development Institute's Automotive Applications Council. The Partnership leverages resources of the automotive and steel industries to pursue research, validation and education that have helped automakers enhance vehicle safety and fuel economy and improve design and manufacturing.

Through the Auto/Steel Partnership, automakers and steel companies have worked to drive improvements through projects focused on new steels, manufacturing processes and design challenges, including mass reduction with steel. Auto/Steel Partnership members include AK Steel Corporation, ArcelorMittal, FCA US LLC, Ford Motor Co., General Motors Co. and Nucor Corporation. For more information, visit