Intermet Forms Board of Experts to Improve Performance

Intermet Corp., a chain of metalcasting operations serving the automotive and commercial vehicle markets, has established an Advisory Board of industry experts it says will help guide the group's "evolution in the years ahead." Thes new board members bring expertise from the automotive and aerospace industries that Intermet president and CEO Jeff Mihalic says "clearly provides us with a competitive advantage."

Apparently, the board is already meeting with the company's executives. "Their input has accelerated our progress over the past 12 months, which can be readily seen in our financial performance," Mihalic added.

The five advisory board members are:
- Toshikata Amino, former executive vice president, Honda of America Manufacturing Inc., who currently is a visiting professor and special assistant to the president of Kansai University of International Studies in Japan.
- Gary Convis, former chairman, Toyota Motor Manufacturing Kentucky Inc., and executive vice president, Toyota Motor Engineering and Manufacturing North America Inc.
- Robert F. Cosmai, former president and CEO, Hyundai North America, who held senior management positions with Ford Motor Co., Nissan Motor Co., Mazda Motor Co., and the Acura division of American Honda Motor Company Co.
- John Peter Holding, former executive vice president, Integrated Product Definition and Engineering, Bombardier Aerospace.
- R. David Nelson, former executive vice president-Procurement, Honda of America, and now chief supply chain/strategy officer for HTC Global Services Inc.

"Each of them has tremendous achievements throughout their careers and is held in high esteem by their peers," according to Mihalic.

Mihalic explained that Intermet began assembling the board last year, aiming to choose individuals with a diversity of backgrounds who will bring insights to "lean manufacturing, technical process capabilities, product opportunities and revenue management."

Separately, Intermet reported that its Archer Creek Foundry in Lynchburg, VA, recently achieved a full year of operation without a lost-time accident.