Dura hires former Ford exec David Szczupak as COO

DETROIT -- Troubled auto parts maker Dura Automotive Systems Inc. has hired former Ford manufacturing chief David Szczupak as its chief operating officer.Dura, which is reorganizing under Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection, gained court approval for the hire on Thursday, Dec. 7, and released a statement announcing the move late Friday, Dec. 8. Szczupak's appointment was effective immediately.In a statement, Dura said Szczupak will be responsible for all aspects of Dura's manufacturing, engineering, quality and procurement worldwide."David is a seasoned automotive industry executive who will be a great asset to our leadership team," Dura CEO Larry Denton said in the statement. "He brings global operations expertise and will play a pivotal role in the implementation of Dura's operational restructuring program and growth initiatives."Szczupak, 51, has more than 30 years of automotive industry experience. He most recently served as Ford Motor Co.'s group vice president of manufacturing. He directed global strategy and operations for all vehicle manufacturing, engineering and operations at 31 manufacturing plants worldwide, and directed a major restructuring of Ford's global manufacturing footprint to reduce costs by 30 percent, Dura's statement said."I am excited to join Dura's management," Szczupak said in a statement, "and I look forward to further strengthening the company's operations and performance, as we successfully complete the operational restructuring program and build on the company's reputation for delivering innovative quality products at competitive prices."Szczupak first joined Ford in 1990 as chief engineer of Jaguar Cars, following Ford's acquisition of Jaguar. Szczupak received a master's degree in automotive engineering from Cranfield University, U.K.On Oct. 31, Dura became the eighth major U.S. auto supplier to file bankruptcy this year. In all, more than 36 suppliers have sought protection from creditors since 1999. Dura has been bludgeoned by rising raw material costs, particularly steel, and by cuts in North American auto production by its largest customers.Based in Rochester Hills, Mich., Dura makes a wide variety of components including driver control systems, seating control systems, glass systems, engineered assemblies, structural door modules and exterior trim systems.Dura ranks No. 65 on the Automotive News list of top 100 global original equipment suppliers to the auto industry with global original equipment sales of $2.34 billion in 2005.You may e-mail Philip Nussel at pnussel@crain.com

Dura hires former Ford exec David Szczupak as COO

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