Demuynck welcomes his Lordstown return

Staff report

LORDSTOWN

Rick Demuynck, the new plant manager at the General Motors Lordstown Assembly Plant, says he welcomes the opportunity to come back.

Demuynck was the assistant plant manager in Lords-town from November 2009 to July 2013.

“My previous experience here as assistant plant manager was rewarding, and it was an honor to be part of the team in 2010 that launched the Chevrolet Cruze for North America,” Demuynck said in a statement. “I realize Lordstown is an important part of this region’s economic and quality-of-life engines. I look forward to again being part of this team as we move forward.”

Steve Notar Donato, former plant manager at Lords-town, was transferred to the Lansing, Mich., Grand River Assembly Plant. Notar Donato came to Lordstown in August 2014.

Demuynck was previously plant manager at General Motors Grand Rapids, Mich. He was appointed to this position July 1, 2013. He was also briefly the plant manager at the Parma Metal Center in Parma, Ohio.

He comes with 31 years of experience in leading plant turnarounds, launching new products, improving business performance and building labor-management relationships.

Demuynck began his career with GM in 1984 as a GMI cooperative student. He graduated in 1989 and became a project engineer in GM’s Truck Competitive Operations group.

In 1992, he moved to the Detroit Truck Assembly holding positions of increasing responsibility in industrial engineering, supply chain and production. In 1995, he moved to Linden Assembly as production superintendent.

In 1998, he became Linden Assembly’s quality manager, and in 1999, was promoted to an executive position as director of quality for GM vehicle operations. In 2002, he returned to Linden Assembly as body shop area manager, later moving to general assembly area manager.

In 2004, he moved to Shreveport Assembly in Shreveport, La., as general assembly area manager in support of the Colorado/Canyon and Hummer H3 launches, and ultimately became assistant plant manager later that year.

In 2008, he was appointed vice president of manufacturing for GM South Africa.

His direct support includes serving Red Cross relief operations in the wake of Hurricane Katrina, assisting several education programs in Port Elizabeth, South Africa, teaching Junior Achievement programs in multiple locations, coaching youth sports in multiple locations, and championing March of Dimes and United Way campaign drives.

Demuynck’s Lordstown assignment was effective May 1.