- Keeping the customer at the heart of what we do as we think of better ways to do it
- Adapting new tools and technologies that communicate and enhance the capabilities of legacy assets, current operations, and build an infrastructure for the Industry 4.0 factories of the future
- Tightly integrating R&D, manufacturing, supply chain, and service processes to bring innovative products to market faster
- Tying business data into integrated and interconnected systems that allows us to increase competitiveness, improve margins, and improve quality while reducing takt time
- What does all this look like in the real world? Examining examples from Ford’s story, and offering best practices and lessons learned for other manufacturers to consider in their own journeys
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Chief Manufacturing and Labor Affairs Officer
Ford Motor Company
Gary Johnson is Chief Manufacturing and Labor Affairs Officer, effective October 1, 2018. In this role, Johnson is responsible for overseeing the global operations of every Ford assembly, stamping and powertrain plant around the world. In addition, he leads the company’s worldwide engineering support for stamping, vehicle and powertrain manufacturing, as well as Ford’s Material Planning & Logistics, Ford Production System, Manufacturing Business Office and Labor Affairs organizations.
Previously, Johnson served as vice president of North America Manufacturing, a role he held since January 1, 2016 and was responsible for Ford’s North America manufacturing footprint – the company’s largest in the world with more than 30 manufacturing plants.
Prior to leading Ford’s manufacturing in North America, Johnson served as vice president of Manufacturing Operations for Asia Pacific since January 2010. In that position, he oversaw a host of new vehicle and engine launches as well as the construction of ten new plants in the region – seven in China, two in India and one in Thailand – the company’s largest expansion in 50 years.
Johnson has worked in manufacturing and quality for more than 30 years in increasing levels of responsibility at various locations, and is a leader in lean manufacturing. Among his assignments in North America, he served as director of manufacturing for engine operations and director of vehicle operations for quality.
Born in 1964, he holds a bachelor’s degree from Central Michigan University.
