Keane retires

Rod Keane announced his retirement last week and will leave his official capacity of Holden's Executive Director - Manufacturing with effect from September 1.

The 35-year veteran has seen more than his fair share of highs and lows at Holden, including the closure of plants across the country as the company shrank and the remaining manufacturing program was concentrated at the Elizabeth plant in South. At the other end of the scale, he has been one of the principal architects of Holden's successful export program to the Middle East and the US.

In 1987, following a difficult financial period for Holden, Keane, in the role of Assembly Plant Manager at Elizabeth, oversaw the migration from single-shift to double-shift operation.

Keane regards the introduction of the VN and VT Commodores (in 1988 and 1997, respectively) as two highlights of his career. In 2000, he was posted to Europe as head of powertrain and chassis components before taking up the role of Manufacturing Vice President for the doomed Fiat GM Powertrain venture. Before scooting off overseas, he was on hand for the inaugural exports of LHD Commodores to the Middle East.

Keane returned to Australia, moving into his current role in 2004. In addition to the car building plant at Elizabeth, he is also responsible for the engine plant at Fishermans Bend in Melbourne.

The Commodore Sportwagon went into production at Elizabeth just last week, so Keane leaves the company facing the prospect of improved large car sales domestically and a car-building facility working at maximum capacity producing Commodore, Lumina and G8 models, as well as the long-wheelbase Statesman and Caprice.

"This is undoubtedly a challenging time for the Australian automotive manufacturing industry but we continue to do well," says Keane.

"We are running the plant at full capacity, Commodore was number 1 in May, we are doing well in export markets and of course we are just launching the new Sportwagon and several new export models.

"We've got great product, great people and a great plant plus a proven ability to adapt thanks to the flexibility shown everyday by our workforce. I feel confident that this stands the manufacturing facilities in both South Australia and Victoria in good stead for the future."

Reflecting the level of commitment from Keane over the years, he will be replaced by two new appointees. Dave Gibbons -- current Plant Manager at Shreveport Assembly, Louisiana, USA -- will head the vehicle assembly operation at Elizabeth and Martyn Cray will be promoted from Plant Manager Holden Engine Operations to GM Powertrain Lead Executive for GM Holden.

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