Douglas J. Grimm, Chairman, President & Chief Executive Officer
Mr. Grimm co-founded Grede Holdings LLC in February 2010 by combining substantially all the former assets of Grede Foundries, Inc., Blackhawk Foundry (USA) and Citation Corporation. He joined legacy Citation in January 2008 as Chief Executive Officer and a Director following various senior management positions in the automotive sector.
Through organic growth, strategic alliances and the completion of seven acquisitions, Mr. Grimm has quadrupled revenues, diversified its customer base and transformed the “new” Grede into a financially-sound, reliable supplier to the automotive, heavy truck and industrial markets. The legacy companies had been in bankruptcy three times between 2004 and 2009. With sales in excess of $1 billion and 5,400 employees, Grede is now re-investing for the future. Mr. Grimm and Grede have been recognized recently by the following:
- Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year (Regional Winner 2012, Regional Finalist 2011)
- Crain’s Detroit Best Large Deal of the Year (2011)
- American Metal Market Deal of the Year Finalist (2011)
- Wisconsin Manufacturer of the Year Finalist (2012)
- Michigan’s Economic Bright Spot Award (2011)
A twenty-eight year industry veteran, Mr. Grimm has senior-level global experience throughout the supply chain with publicly-traded and privately-held companies including Chrysler, Dana, Visteon and Metaldyne. His extensive leadership background has included raising capital, operations, commercial negotiation, balance sheet restructuring and merger integration responsibilities.
A graduate of Hiram College (OH) with a bachelor of arts degree in economics & management where he is a member of the Board of Trustees, Mr. Grimm also received a master's degree in business administration from the University of Detroit and attended the University of Michigan Executive Management Program. He is currently Vice Chairman for both the Motor & Equipment Manufacturers Association (MEMA) and the Original Equipment Suppliers Association (OESA) as well as a Director for the Peterson American Corporation.