This is a great read; very insightful, revealing...and more than a little foreboding >>

http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/06356/748288-185.stm

As part of his push for uniformity, Mr. Mulally is moving Ford to combine its global operations, modifying its current structure of separate businesses by brand and region. Mr. Mulally was shocked to discover that the plan before his arrival was to [continue to] "operate our eight Fords."

Gives you a sense of how dysfunctional Ford had become, and what an uphill battle they have in front of them. I had no idea that they've also mortgaged the Blue Oval trademark.



In 24 to 36 months we'll either be sticking a fork in Ford...or heralding Mulally as a legendary turnaround artist.

 

I hope he makes it. Its about time someone made a plan and stuck with it, without bowing down to stubborn managers.

 

Fantastic article! After reading this article I must admit I'm even more excited for the furture of FMC.

 

Has an engineering background... that'll help HUGE

 

Great read!

 

I work for Boeing. 5-10 years ago Airbus was kicking our hiney in sales. We're back on top now. It of course it wasn't just Mulally's doing, but he was a big part, being in charge of comercial aircraft. The rank and file at Ford are going to see changes. they'll start seeing Japanese, (read Toyota) processes on the shop floor. They're going to here the phrase "lean manufacturing". They won't have crews, they'll have "teams", and it will all be for the better. The biggest thing we should be encouraged about is that Boeing climbed back up by asking and giving it's customers what they wanted. That's us. I am an assembly mechanic on the 737, and I could e-mail Alan mulally if I wanted to. Comunication was big. He didn't climb to the leadership of Boeing's largest division for no reason. The only reason he got passed over for the CEO job at Boeing is because they were sheding the ethics lapses of the two previous inside men. Too bad for Boeing, good for Ford.

 

Thanks. Very interesting.

 

I really like the way Alan thinks, he's saying all the right things to me.