DENSO, a mobility supplier with its North American headquarters in Southfield, has named Kim Buhl vice president of its North America Purchasing Group, effective July 24.
She will succeed Mike Winkler, who led the group since 2014 and will retire in January 2024 after 30-plus years of distinguished service at Denso.
Buhl will lead North America purchasing initiatives from DENSO’s Southfield office, where she will spearhead efforts to secure and enhance the company’s supply chain, work with suppliers, and customers to improve business efficiency.
“DENSO is clearly a purpose-driven company, with a strong reputation for quality and excellence in manufacturing,” says Buhl. “I’m looking forward to becoming part of a North American team dedicated to transforming mobility for all.”
Buhl has worked for decades in global purchasing, production control, and logistics areas. She joins DENSO from Fisker Group, where she served as vice president of purchasing.
Buhl began her career at General Motors Co. in Detroit, working in multiple purchasing areas, including engineering prototype materials, axles and components, and information systems and services, before moving to American Axle & Manufacturing, also in Detroit, in several director roles.
From there, she held the position of executive director at Magna Powertrain, leading purchasing activities for fluid pressure and controls, driveline, and Magna electronics divisions, followed by vice president of purchasing and supply chain management at Shiloh Industries in Warren and vice president of supply chain at Karma Automotive in Commerce Township.
“We are fortunate to welcome Kim to the DENSO team,” says Seiji Maeda, CEO of North American operations at DENSO. “Her extensive experience in the auto industry, as well as with start-up companies, will help DENSO transition to the future of mobility and achieve our Two Great Causes of Green and Peace of Mind.”
