Metaldyne names Dickerson VP of quality, Six Sigma

Metaldyne announced that Steve Dickerson has been appointed vice president of quality, Six Sigma and process. Dickerson will lead Metaldyne's quality initiatives and the company's focus on Six Sigma, including implementing process improvements in key operational areas. In this role, he will also work closely with his counterparts at Metaldyne's parent company, Asahi Tec Company Ltd., to support synergies in the areas of safety, MOS, quality, launch, product life cycle management, material procurement and logistics. Metaldyne recently was acquired by the Shizuoka, Japan-based chassis and powertrain component supplier, which does business in the passenger car/light truck and medium/heavy truck segments.

"I am pleased to have Steve in this critical role," said Tom Chambers, Metaldyne president and chief operating officer. "He has a strong background in program and process management and is an excellent leader. Steve has played an important part in the Asahi Tec integration and I look forward to his continued leadership in quality and process as we strive to bring together the best practices of both companies."

Most recently, Dickerson served as interim vice president, quality, Six Sigma and process. Before that, he was vice president, manufacturing planning, where he worked closely with the leadership team on new product activities and expansion in North America, Europe and Asia.

Dickerson joined Metaldyne in 2004 as vice president and general manager of North American Forgings. Before joining Metaldyne, he was president of Custom Molders Inc., a plastic injection molding company in North Carolina.

Previously, he served as vice president, manufacturing for GKN Automotive, where he was responsible for five plants in North and South Carolina.

Dickerson holds a bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering from General Motors Institute (now Kettering University), as well as a master's degree in business administration from the Harvard Graduate School of Business Administration.

Metaldyne is a leading global designer and supplier of metal-based components, assemblies and modules for transportation related powertrain and chassis applications including engine, transmission/transfer case, wheel-end and suspension, axle and driveline, and noise and vibration control products to the motor vehicle industry. Headquartered in Plymouth, Mich., it is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Asahi Tec Corporation, a Shizuoka, Japan-based chassis and powertrain component supplier in the passenger car/light truck and medium/heavy truck segments.