Day to retire from Freudenberg-NOK to teach lean systems

PLYMOUTH, Mich. (Oct. 2)—Joseph C. Day, chairman and CEO of Freudenberg-NOK G.P. will step down to take early retirement and pursue "his passion for teaching lean systems." Freudenberg-NOK recently restructured its operations into two business sectors, automotive and distributed products, headed by industry veterans in preparation for Day's retirement. "I am now participating in the selection and training of the next corporate CEO and next will focus my attention on creating an accredited university-level lean teaching technology curriculum," Day, 57, said. He also will extend his lean expertise to a few companies by offering to sit on their boards, he said. Freudenberg-NOK did not immediately say when Day's retirement would become effective or who the company is grooming to replace him.