| Joe Hinrichs is the newest executive of Ford Motor | | | | plants and the preparation to close 3 more in 2008, |
| Co. As such, Ford family expects a lot from him. He | | | | keep reduction costs in plants, help launch five new |
| faces big challenges and he has the burden of | | | | cars and trucks, and execute 32,000 hourly buyouts |
| surpassing Ford's expectations. | | | | at factories, without compromising safety or quality. |
| Hinrichs spent grew up in the small, blue-collar town | | | | According to him, if all that weren't enough, he will |
| of Fostoria. With a 4.0, he graduated as valedictorian | | | | help negotiate a new contract with the UAW. |
| of his Catholic high school. Then, he went to the | | | | "Joe has served spaghetti in this plant," said Jim |
| University of Dayton on a president's scholarship. He | | | | Buffalo Smythe, who serves on the plant committee |
| pursued MBA at Harvard University. After that, he | | | | for UAW Local 2280. That local represents workers |
| was absorbed into the auto industry. Hinrichs was a | | | | at the Van Dyke Transmission Plant, where Hinrichs |
| former engineer of General Motors Corp. factory | | | | started his Ford career. "He's a very strong leader. |
| way back in 1989. He transferred to Ford Motor Co. | | | | Some people just have that. And he has that," |
| in 2000. He transported Ford's transmission parts | | | | Smythe said. "Joe can talk to anybody -- that's his |
| from one plant to another. Since coming to Ford in | | | | strength." |
| 2000, he's had six promotions. | | | | The big challenges Hinrichs faces now are the hardest |
| Now, at the age of 40, Hinrichs is the youngest vice | | | | in his entire career. "Everyone believes that I've been |
| president at Ford. He is charged with extensive North | | | | very fortunate, and I have been," Hinrichs noted. "But |
| American manufacturing operations of the automaker. | | | | there's five or six events that have just been tragic, |
| He supervises 42 Ford factories in the United States, | | | | real setbacks. You have to overcome them." |
| Canada and Mexico. | | | | This year through September, Ford lost $7 billion and |
| It is apparent that Ford is riding on rocky and | | | | this calls for a swift action. Hinrichs is determined to |
| troubled terrains of the automotive world. This fact | | | | focus on quality of products to boost trust among |
| alone is a big challenge to the young executive. "Next | | | | consumers. Ford alloy wheels, engines, ergonomics |
| year will be one of the most challenging years that | | | | and other performance and safety features as well |
| I've ever seen, at Ford or anywhere," Hinrichs said. | | | | as effective workflow are the main focus of Hinrichs. |
| Hinrichs to-do list for 2007 includes the closure of 4 | | | | |