Toyota further localizes North American manufacturing leadership

In an organizational move providing more regional autonomy to Toyota’s North American manufacturing operations, the company is making appointments resulting in increased local leadership at its plants.

“These changes allow us to move faster and more efficiently in key decision-making,” said Tetsuo Agata, president of Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America (TEMA). “This is a natural progression for a global company, and I am pleased we are designating more responsibility to a seasoned group of Toyota veterans.”

The appointments listed below are effective July 1, 2010 unless noted, pending approval by the Toyota Motor Corporation board of directors on June 24:

• Ray Tanguay, currently president of the Ontario plant, is appointed chairman there; 

• Steve St. Angelo, currently president of the Kentucky and Mississippi plants, is appointed chairman of the Kentucky plant, and on August 1 will be appointed chairman of the Mississippi plant;

• Brian Krinock is appointed president of the Ontario plant;

• Wil James is appointed president of the Kentucky plant;

• Masafumi Hamaguchi is appointed president of the Mississippi plant, beginning August 1;

• Norm Bafunno is appointed president of the Indiana plant;

• Chris Nielsen is appointed president of the Texas plant;

• Karl Kusturok is appointed vice president of production engineering at TEMA;

• Phil Rodi is appointed vice president of manufacturing in Ontario.

Bafunno and Nielsen are replacing Japanese presidents in Indiana and Texas, respectively.