UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, DC 20549
FORM 8-K
CURRENT REPORT
PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE
SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
DATE OF REPORT (Date of earliest event reported): JULY 29, 2003
TOWER AUTOMOTIVE, INC.
(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in its Charter)
DELAWARE
(State or Other Jurisdiction of Incorporation)
1-12733 41-1746238
(Commission File Number) (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
5211 CASCADE ROAD SE - SUITE 300, GRAND RAPIDS, MICHIGAN 49546
(Address of Principal Executive Offices) (Zip Code)
(616) 802-1600
(Registrant's Telephone Number, Including Area Code)
NOT APPLICABLE
(Former Name or Former Address, if Changed Since Last Report)
Item 9. Regulation FD Disclosure
On July 29, 2003, the Registrant issued a press release announcing
leadership changes. A copy of this press release follows below:
KATHLEEN LIGOCKI NAMED PRESIDENT AND CEO OF TOWER AUTOMOTIVE; DUG CAMPBELL
FINALIZES RETIREMENT PLANS
GRAND RAPIDS, Michigan - July 29, 2003 - Tower Automotive Inc. (NYSE:
TWR) today announced the retirement of Dugald K. Campbell as the company's
president and chief executive officer and the appointment of Kathleen Ligocki to
succeed him. "As I conveyed earlier this year to our colleagues, stockholders
and customers, my plan in 1993 was to lead Tower Automotive for the first decade
of its growth. The exact timing of my retirement was a function of finding a
person with the skills and experience to lead the enterprise through the next
stage of its evolution," Campbell said.
S.A. "Tony" Johnson, Tower Automotive chairman said, " I am very
pleased that we have been able to bring an individual of Kathleen's talents,
experience and reputation to this key leadership role."
Most recently Ligocki served as vice president of Ford Customer Service
Division. Her previous roles at Ford Motor Company included vice president of
North America marketing, vice president of strategy, business development -
Canada and Mexico, and president and CEO of Ford Mexico. Before Ford Motor
Company, Ligocki held leadership roles at General Motors - Delco Electronics and
United Technologies. Ligocki holds a bachelor's degree from Indiana University
and an MBA from the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania.
"I am excited to have the opportunity to join my new colleagues at
Tower Automotive as we grow the value and capabilities of the company for all
stakeholders," said Ligocki.
Tower Automotive
News Release - July 29, 2003
Page 2
Johnson went on to say, "Dug Campbell has been instrumental over the
past 10 years in growing a small regional stamping supplier into the largest
automotive metal structures company in the world. His commitment to building a
values-based enterprise was total, as this culture became a key ingredient in
the integration of 17 acquisitions and partnerships worldwide. Dug will be
working with Kathleen Ligocki over the next few months in this positive
transition of leadership responsibilities."
Tower Automotive, Inc., is a global designer and producer of vehicle
structural components and assemblies used by every major automotive original
equipment manufacturer, including Ford, DaimlerChrysler, GM, Honda, Toyota,
Nissan, Fiat, Hyundai/Kia, BMW, and Volkswagen Group. Products include body
structures and assemblies, lower vehicle frames and structures, chassis modules
and systems, and suspension components. The company is based in Grand Rapids,
Michigan. Additional company information is available at
www.towerautomotive.com.
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CONTACTS:
Media Inquiries Investor Inquiries
Bev Pierce 616-802-1630 Dave Tuit 616-802-1591
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This press release contains forward-looking statements relating to future
results of the company (including certain projections and business trends) that
are "forward-looking statements" as defined in the Private Securities Litigation
Reform Act of 1995. Actual results may differ materially from those projected as
a result of certain risks and uncertainties, including, but not limited to,
general economic condition in the markets in which Tower operates, and other
risks detailed from time to time in the company's Securities and Exchange
Commission filings.
July 29, 2003
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934,
the Registrant has duly caused this Report to be signed on its behalf by the
undersigned thereunto duly authorized.
TOWER AUTOMOTIVE, INC.
Date: July 29, 2003 By: /s/ Ernest T. Thomas
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Name: Ernest T. Thomas
Title: Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer
(Principal Accounting and Financial Officer)