Dana Corporation Realigns Automotive Systems Businesses

TOLEDO, Ohio, June 19 -- In a move focused on delivering enhanced systems, components, and services to its global customers, Dana Corporation today announced the realignment of its Automotive Systems Group -- the largest of the company's four strategic business units.

The realignment evolves the group's traditional division structure into a streamlined, cross-functional group encompassing the following core disciplines:

Manufacturing technologies; Integration and assembly technologies; Structural solutions; Engineering; and Sales and marketing. Each of these core disciplines will further benefit from a series of coordinated services that will be deployed across the business unit. These shared services include quality, purchasing, information technology, and administrative support.

"We are focusing on the core disciplines that drive our businesses," said Bill Carroll, President of Dana's Automotive Systems Group. "This integration will provide operational synergies and improve our ability to respond more quickly and effectively to marketplace demands.

"Ultimately, the unique product and service capabilities in this group will position Dana to make the transformation from a component producer capable of supplying systems to a systems producer capable of supplying components," Mr. Carroll said. "This will be a key focus of our group moving forward."

Dana Chairman and CEO Joe Magliochetti said the realignment provides greater integration of technology throughout the Automotive Systems Group to better serve its customers. "We're excited by the prospect of more fully applying the talents of our people to more rapidly and efficiently develop technologies that will support today's customer demands and drive tomorrow's growth," he said.

The Torque and Traction Manufacturing Technologies Group will be responsible for the design and manufacture of world-class torque and traction components, including axle and driveshaft products. Ismael Melgar (24 years of service) will serve as group president. Mr. Melgar most recently served as global president of Dana's Traction Technologies Group and has previous leadership experience within the company's global driveshaft operations.

Dana's Torque and Traction Integration Technologies Group will be focused on growing Dana's capability as a world leader in assembly techniques with world-class quality and customer relationships. Bob Fesenmyer (29 years of service) will serve as group president. Mr. Fesenmyer, who previously held leadership positions in Dana's driveshaft and light axle operations, most recently served as President of Customer Satisfaction within the Traction Technologies Group.

Dana's Structural Solutions Group will continue to be led by Bruce Butcher (30 years of service) as vice president of the group. The Structural Solutions Group will focus on expanding its presence as a leader in weight- bearing structural component technologies and related systems. Additionally, Mike Greene (28 years of service), former head of Dana's Torque Management Group, will serve as president of Global Engineering and Technology. In this role, he will lead the efforts to develop engineering processes and capabilities that support Dana's customers.

Steve Hanley (25 years of service), who most recently served as vice president of Dana's Systems Integration Group, will serve as vice president of Sales and Marketing for the Automotive Systems Group. In conjunction with these efforts, he will work to align Dana's sales and engineering efforts with a goal of providing a more singular voice to Dana's global customers.

Dana Corporation is a global leader in the design, engineering, and manufacture of value-added products and systems for automotive, commercial, and off-highway vehicle manufacturers and their related aftermarkets. The company employs approximately 70,000 people worldwide. Founded in 1904 and based in Toledo, Ohio, Dana operates hundreds of technology, manufacturing, and customer service facilities in 34 countries. The company reported sales of $10.3 billion in 2001.