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Ford replaces manager at Edge plant in Ontario

Amy Wilson | Automotive News

DETROIT -- Ford Motor Co. is switching leaders at its Oakville, Ontario, assembly plant in the midst of a troubled launch of the Ford Edge and Lincoln MKX crossovers.

Oakville plant Manager Frank Gourneau has been reassigned to a job in Dearborn, Mich., working on vehicle-launch processes, a Ford spokeswoman said. Gourneau is now chief engineer for new programs in Ford's advanced and manufacturing engineering group.

Two other managers in Oakville are no longer working at the plant, sources said. It's not clear whether they have left the company or have been reassigned. The Ford spokeswoman declined to comment.

Ford named Ken Minielly the new plant manager in Oakville. He most recently headed Ford's car-assembly and stamping plant in Wayne, Mich. For Minielly, a 33-year Ford employee, it is a return to Oakville, where he was an assistant manager in 2002 and 2003.

Replacing Minielly at the Wayne plant is Dale Wishnousky. He most recently worked as plant manager at Ford's Atlanta assembly plant, which was idled in October.

The changes in plant managers were announced internally last week and were effective Monday, Nov. 27, Ford spokeswoman Anne Marie Gattari said.

She downplayed any connection to the delayed launch of the Edge and MKX.

"These changes are not uncommon," Gattari said. "We rotate plant managers a lot."

But it is unusual to switch leadership in the middle of a launch, others said. Ford started building the Edge and MKX at Oakville this fall with plans to have them at dealerships before the end of November. Ford announced nearly two weeks ago that launch problems will keep the automaker from getting vehicles out until December.

"The launch is progressing, and we're building vehicles as we planned," Gattari said. "Ken Minielly has a great amount of experience in assembly operations, and he will complement the launch of the Edge and MKX as well as future products at Oakville."

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Stacy94PGT
My first car was a 67 Mustang Coupe, 2nd one was a 67 Cougar XR-7, 3rd one was a 66 Mustang Coupe. Why did I get rid of these cars for ? I know why, because I'm stupid, stupid, stupid.

My next Ford.....