Making the Wheels Go 'Round

Linda Taliaferro, MBA ’08, leverages her EMBA experience into a global leadership role at Hayes Lemmerz International Inc.

As an engineer, Linda Taliaferro, MBA ’08, knows a lot about what makes a good wheel. But it is her business intelligence that keeps those wheels turning smoothly at Hayes Lemmerz International Inc. The company is the world's largest producer of automotive and commercial highway steel and aluminum wheels. Founded in 1908, Hayes Lemmerz is an innovator of cutting-edge technology and products. Fiscal-year sales in 2008 reached $1.9 billion thanks to its diversified customer base.

Taliaferro is a global quality systems director, where she is responsible for the quality performance of 17 plants in 12 countries. Previously, she was director of quality, operational excellence, and program management for the Americas.

Taliaferro stepped into the global role at an interesting time for the tier-one automotive supplier. The company emerged from bankruptcy in 2009 and now has a solid balance sheet from which to grow its market share. But it still faces a tough domestic economy as well as competition from suppliers in China. “We are working hard to strategically place ourselves geographically, and price competitively so that we meet our goal of growing our customer base.”

She is passionate about engaging with that base to ensure customer satisfaction. She most enjoys working with the various plants to facilitate positive change. “It is deeply gratifying to be an integral part of turning a facility’s customer satisfaction performance around,” Taliaferro says.

Upon joining Hayes Lemmerz in 2003, Taliaferro was happy to learn the firm had a strong commitment to continuing education. She had wanted to pursue an MBA since graduating from Carnegie Mellon in 1984. After working for Hayes Lemmerz for a short time, she decided the time was right to approach management about her plans. “I knew I wanted to obtain an MBA from a university that matched the credentials of my engineering degree,” she says. “So it was immediately evident that the University of Michigan was the place. The Ross School’s EMBA is a highly ranked program without compare. Upon further research, I discovered the team-based focus, the mix of weekend residencies, and the quality of the distance learning experience. And once I knew more about the high-caliber professors, I was completely sold.”

Taliaferro managed to balance the personal, professional, and academic commitments that come with the rigorous EMBA experience, and was rewarded with a promotion about 18 months after graduation. “I have been told by numerous leadership staff that my business acumen has grown exponentially, particularly when it comes to my focus on positively affecting the cost structure from an operations perspective," she says. "My soft skills were enhanced as well, through the Professional Development Program and the team-based learning environment. I am confident this would not have been possible without the Ross EMBA Program.”