Bruce Hettle is group vice president, Manufacturing and Labor Affairs, effective Jan. 1, 2016. In this role, Hettle is responsible for overseeing the global operations of 67 assembly, stamping and powertrain plants.
Hettle also is responsible for 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.
In his previous assignment as vice president North America Manufacturing, Hettle was responsible for Ford’s North America manufacturing footprint – the company’s largest in the world with more than 30 manufacturing plants. He has played a key role in Ford’s ongoing efforts to improve manufacturing flexibility and efficiency. Hettle also oversaw Ford’s product expansion in North America and the company’s seamless conversion to global platforms.
Hettle joined Ford in 1986 and has spent his entire 29-year career with the company in manufacturing. Prior to leading North American Manufacturing, he managed Ford’s manufacturing engineering group as executive director, Global Vehicle Operations Manufacturing Engineering.
In addition to other leadership roles, Hettle served as director for Ford’s Manufacturing Business Office, and was plant manager for Wayne Stamping and Assembly and Edison Assembly.
Born in 1961, Hettle holds a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering from Oakland University, and a master’s degree in engineering management from Wayne State University.
