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FWIW, these kinds of personnel moves rarely happen in a vacuum, so let’s step back and examine the recent timeline of events, starting with the recent corporate reorganization announced in early March.
Timeline of Events
I suspect that Williams’ departure, whether voluntary (i.e., to pursue a new &/or better opportunity) or involuntary (i.e., pushed out or terminated), is directly related to the corporate reorganization and Galhotra’s new management team and organization within Ford Blue.
Do I know this for certain?
Timeline of Events
- Jim Farley (CEO) announces corporate reorganization into three separate automotive business units (Detroit Free Press, 3/2/22)
- Ford Model e (electric vehicles), led by Farley
- Ford Blue (internal combustion engines), led by Kumar Galhotra, formerly President of Ford Americas & International Markets Group.
- ”The rest of [Galhotra’s] team will be revealed soon,“ a Ford spokesperson told the Free Press.
- Ford Pro (commercial), led by Ted Cannis.
- Ford's new structure is effective immediately, though it will take time to fully evolve, as "two distinct but strategically interdependent auto businesses."
- Meanwhile, the Ford Blue team "will be hellbent on delivering leading quality, attacking waste in every corner of the business, maximizing cash flow and optimizing our industrial footprint," Farley said in the release.
- Ford Blue will strengthen the F-Series, Ranger and Maverick trucks, Bronco and Explorer SUVs and Mustang with investment in new models. Ford also plans to invest in brand new ICE vehicles, such as the truck fleet, but Farley declined to go into detail now.
- Ford Announces Hiring of Dave Bozeman, formerly of Amazon, Caterpillar, & Harley Davidson (Business Wire, 7/14/22)
- Bozeman will start with the company 9/1/22 as VP of the global Ford Customer Service Division and the Enthusiast Vehicles product line in Ford Blue.
- He was also elected a corporate officer by Ford’s board of directors.
- “As the head of FCSD, Bozeman will play a key role in delivering industry-leading customer-service experiences by further developing trust, loyalty and always-on customer relationships – all of which are central to the Ford+ plan for growth and value creation. He and his team will be responsible for global parts, accessories and vehicle personalization; material planning and logistics for FCSD; and best-in-class customer service experiences.”
- “Bozeman will also head the Ford Blue enthusiast brands in the United States, including Bronco, Mustang and Raptor. With the assignment, Ford Blue now has operational leaders for each of its key vehicle segments: trucks (Andrew Frick), family (Kiersten Robinson) and enthusiast. Bozeman will report to Galhotra.”
- “We are thrilled to welcome Dave to our Ford leadership team,” Galhotra said. “He has a unique skillset and a track record of success at some of the most respected and iconic companies in the world.”
- Bozeman was most recently vice president of Amazon Transportation Services, overseeing all aspects of middle-mile transportation that enabled delivery of customer orders via the fastest and most convenient modes across the company’s global operations. Prior to Amazon, he was a senior vice president and head of the Caterpillar Enterprise System Group, the order-to-delivery organization aligned with Caterpillar’s critical processes and support groups to improve manufacturing and supply chain capabilities worldwide. Earlier, Bozeman held senior leadership positions at Harley-Davidson, the storied American motorcycle manufacturer.
- Departure of MAP Plant Manager, Erik Williams (Detroit Free Press, 7/15/22)
- “Michigan Assembly Plant manager Erik Williams, who has overseen the production of the bestselling Ford Bronco and Ford Ranger mid-size pickup truck, left that role Thursday [7/14/22], the Free Press has learned.”
- Ford spokesman Said Deep declined to discuss why Williams left.
- “We do not comment on individual personnel matters. However, we can confirm he is no longer with the company," Deep told the Free Press on Friday. Ford also hasn’t yet named a replacement for Williams, who has been employed by Ford since 2004.
I suspect that Williams’ departure, whether voluntary (i.e., to pursue a new &/or better opportunity) or involuntary (i.e., pushed out or terminated), is directly related to the corporate reorganization and Galhotra’s new management team and organization within Ford Blue.
Do I know this for certain?
- Absolutely not.
- Yes, not only plausible, but likely.
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