Former GM Engineer and Visionary Points Way to Auto IndustryComeback

Thomas A. Crumm, athird-generation auto worker, will discuss his book “What is Good for GM?  Solving America’s Industrial Conundrum” at The Book Nook & Java Shop inDowntown Montague at 6:00pm on Wednesday, November 10.  As an insider, Mr. Crumm exposes thestrategic decisions that have caused the foundation of America’s industrialsector to crumble, then lays out a plan for its restoration. The author led GMChairman John Smale’s Scenario Planning Staff in the mid-1990s and RogerSmith’s development of a Saturn expansion proposal in the late-1980s after acareer in GM plant operations designing and managing manufacturing systems.

Born and raisedin Flint, Michigan, Thomas A. Crumm’s grandfathers and father began theircareers with tools in their hands and rose to play important roles in the autoindustry. Tom’s career began in the same way. His successes in improvingoperations and designing manufacturing systems would take him to every cornerof GM’s diverse operations. His many successes in the leadership ofmanufacturing and engineering activities moved him steadily up through theranks and into roles of increasing responsibility.

Tom’s corporateleadership education came during his six years in Roger Smith’s CorporateStrategic Planning Group (think tank), when he was afforded the opportunity toattend executive programs at Harvard, The Wharton School and then Northwestern.But if asked, he will tell you he is a hands-on industrial engineer.

Tom Crumm wasappointed to lead GM Chairman John Smale’s Scenario Planning Staff in themid-nineties in an attempt to alter the course of General Motors. Tom was alsothe appointed “visionary” for Roger Smith when he attempted to expand the Saturnexperiment across the corporation.

Tom Crumm thinks the American auto industry can regain theworld leadership it once enjoyed in design, manufacturing and sales ofworld-class quality vehicles — and profitability. There are nearly a millionAmerican jobs at stake and when the ideas in this book spread to component andother industries it becomes fuel for discussion of a turnaround of America’sindustrial sector and a turnaround of the economy.