GKN Driveline Makes Key Engineering and Technology Appointments in the Americas

AUBURN HILLS, Mich., March 9, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- GKN Driveline today announced it has named Dr. Ramon Kuczera Vice President Global Product Technology and Steven LaChance Vice President of Engineering for GKN Driveline Americas.

In his new role, Kuczera will leverage GKN's full line of technologies to provide sustainable product differentiation, innovation and cost competitiveness. LaChance will work closely with customers in the technological development phase, ensuring that product delivery meets and exceeds customer expectations.  Kuczera previously was Vice President Engineering for GKN Driveline Americas, while LaChance was Global Chief Engineer for GKN's General Motors business.

"Engineering is at the core of our ability to put ideas in motion across the global auto industry," said Robert Willig, president, GKN Driveline Americas.  "The elevation of Ray Kuczera and Steven LaChance provides our engineering teams with leadership and expertise that will help GKN continue to deliver leading edge product innovation for our customers."

Kuczera has been with the company since 1990 and has held a variety of engineering leadership positions, including test, engineering systems and customer facing positions with Toyota, Nissan and BMW. LaChance joined the company in 1998 and has held a variety of engineering positions within GKN and its former DriveTek organization.

Kuczera has a Master's of Science in Mechanical Engineering and a Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering from Oakland University.  LaChance is a graduate of the University of Michigan where he received a Bachelor's Degree in Mechanical Engineering. He also has a Master's of Business Administration from Walsh College.

GKN Driveline is the world's leading producer of automotive driveline systems and solutions, including constant velocity joint, all-wheel drive, trans-axle and electric-drive systems.

Two of the company's innovations have been nominated for Automotive News 2015 PACE Awards – the world's first two-speed eAxle, which has entered into production on the BMW i8, and the all-wheel drive disconnect system for compact SUVs and city cars.  

ABOUT GKN
GKN plc is a global engineering group. It has four divisions; GKN Aerospace, GKN Driveline, GKN Powder Metallurgy and GKN Land Systems, which operate in the aerospace, automotive and land systems markets. Nearly 50,000 people work in GKN companies and joint ventures in more than 30 countries. GKN is listed on the London Stock Exchange (LSE: GKN) and recorded sales of GBP7.5 billion in the year to 31 December 2013.

ABOUT GKN DRIVELINE
GKN Driveline is the world's leading supplier of automotive driveline components and systems. As a global company serving the world's leading vehicle manufacturers, GKN Driveline develops, builds and supplies an extensive range of automotive driveline components – for use in the smallest ultra low-cost car to the most sophisticated premium vehicle demanding the most complex driving dynamics.

GKN Driveline is a leading global producer of CVJ Systems, AWD Systems, Trans Axle Solutions and eDrive Systems and operates in 22 countries at 46 manufacturing locations, employing approximately 26,500 people.

SOURCE GKN

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