American Axle & Manufacturing: Latest Job Openings, Reviews and Ratings & Profile wise Salary Distribution

American Axle & Manufacturing Careers & Info

Current CEO: David C. Dauch

Status: Active

American Axle and Manufacturing Holdings, Inc. (AAM) manufactures driveline and drivetrain systems for passenger cars, trucks, buses and sports utility vehicles. Driveline systems are the parts responsible for transferring power from a motor vehicle’s transmission to its wheels; they consist of axles, chassis and steering components, crankshafts, transmission and other components.

While AAM provides driveline components to a number of automakers including Chrysler, Ford, Nissan and Renault, its closest customer relationship by far is with General Motors (GM) which supplies 80 percent of AAM’s business. This is not surprising: In 1994, a private investment group led by the current CEO Richard E. Dauch purchased the Final Drive and Forge Business Unit from GM’s Saginaw Unit, renamed it American Axle and Manufacturing Holdings, and spun it off into a company.

The synergistic relationship between AAM and GM proved financially burdensome for GM in 2008 when the automaker lost $2.6 billion after the United Auto Workers (UAW) staged a three month walkout at AAM. GM used AAM transmissions in its popular Chevrolet Malibu model: When the strike hit AAM, GM was forced to reduce production at as many as 30 plants. Auto industry analysts estimated that lost production amounted to 330,000 units, lowering the demand for GM products nationwide.

The strike centered on wage negotiations: UAW members working at AAM who’d made $73.48 hour under the previous contract were being asked to accept a contract that halved their hourly labor rate. AAM said the cost reductions were absolutely necessary if the company’s manufacturing jobs were to remain in the U.S. In the end, the UAW ratified the new contract and AAM, which lost $370 million during the strike, laid off 2,000 of its 3,650 employees.

Salaried American Axle & Manufacturing careers are in engineering and management; the company also hires hourly production workers to staff its remaining U.S. manufacturing plants. Working at American Axle & Manufacturing can be a disheartening experience for US-based professionals who fear that their jobs will be sent overseas sooner rather than later. American Axle culture is fragmented and long-term employees spend a great deal of time feeling nostalgic for the good old days before the 2008 strike. American Axle benefits are generous and include health, dental and life insurance, a 401(k) and tuition reimbursement. After 10 years, employees get three weeks of vacation annually.

What jobs pay the most at American Axle & Manufacturing?

Manufacturing Manager is the highest paying job at American Axle & Manufacturing at $120,000 annually.