Accuride Corp. named Greg Kern the new vice president of the company's Imperial Group business unit.


Kern joined Accuride in March 2011 as director of operations, Gunite and Machining. He has strong experience in automotive components, high-volume environments, metal products and Lean manufacturing. Prior to joining Accuride, Greg was president of Lake Erie Products Special Fasteners; served as vice president of operations, vice president of powertrain operations and vice president of manufacturing at GKN Sinter Metals; and held a number of positions at Dana Corp., including plant manager for Dana's Gresen Hydraulics Division and Spicer Axle Division.

Accuride also appointed Terry Ward to be the new plant manager for Imperial Group's operations in Decatur and Denton, Texas. Ward joined Accuride in June 2011 as director of Lean manufacturing systems and industrial engineering; and has more than 30 years of operations and engineering management experience. Immediately prior to joining Accuride, he served for three years as plant manager for Tenneco, servicing Toyota and Caterpillar. Before his civilian work experience, he served in the Armor Corps of the U.S. Army and earned the Bronze Star.