Dauch finalises GKN Powder Metallurgy and GKN Automotive acquisition
Dauch Corporation (formerly American Axle & Manufacturing Holdings), headquartered in Detroit, Michigan, USA, has completed its previously announced acquisition of Dowlais Group plc and its subsidiaries, GKN Automotive and GKN Powder Metallurgy. The combined company will operate under the Dauch Corporation brand.
“This is a defining and transformational time for both companies,” stated David C Dauch, chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Dauch Corporation. “By uniting the capabilities of both organisations under one brand, we’re creating a premier Driveline and Metal Forming supplier serving the global automotive industry that is built to perform, one positioned to meet today’s demands and lead into the next era of propulsion.”
With the completion of the transaction, trading in Dowlais shares was suspended at 7:30 am GMT on February 3, 2026. The Dowlais shares have also been delisted from the London Stock Exchange, effective February 4, 2026, at 8:00 am GMT.
To mark the completion of the acquisition, the company introduced its brand platform: Built to Perform. The company stated that the platform reflects its heritage as well as the consistency, reliability, quality and performance expectations of its global customers.
Governance and leadership
As previously announced, the combined company will be headquartered in Detroit, Michigan, and will be led by David C Dauch as chairman and CEO. Dauch’s board of directors will be expanded to include two independent directors of Dowlais, Simon Mackenzie Smith and Fiona MacAulay effective February 5, 2026.
Reporting to Dauch are the following executives:
- Michael J. Lynch – President of Driveline
- Markus Bannert – President of Metal Forming
- Christopher J May – Executive Vice President & Chief Financial Officer
- Terri M Kemp – Senior Vice President Chief of Staff & Sustainability
- Matthew Girlando – Vice President of Strategy & Business Development
- Renee McLeod – Vice President of Human Resources
- Christopher M Son – Vice President of Marketing & Communications
- Kristen Netschke – Acting General Counsel
Business Operations
Driveline Operations will have the following executives reporting to Lynch:
- Tolga Oal – President of Axles Systems
- Mark Gabriel – President of Sideshafts/Propshafts/ePowertrain
Metal Forming Operations will have the following executives reporting to Bannert:
- Jake Stiteler – President Forgings
- Jean-Marc Durbuis – President of Powder Metallurgy
