Chrysler Group Honored With Michigan Minority Business Development Council's Corporation of the Year Award for the Second Consec
05 Octobre 2006 - 9:54PM
PR Newswire (US)
AUBURN HILLS, Mich., Oct. 5 /PRNewswire/ -- - For the sixth time in
the last seven years, Chrysler Group named "Corporation of the
Year" - Chrysler Group employee Robin Hammer receives MMBDC
"Corporate Advocate of the Year" award - Tom LaSorda, Chrysler
Group - President and CEO, delivers keynote to sold-out event -
Chrysler Group's 2005 minority sourcing equaled $3.8 billion - 13
percent of total spend -- an increase of $400 million from the
previous year For the sixth time in the last seven years, Chrysler
Group has been honored as the "Corporation of the Year" by the
Michigan Minority Business Development Council (MMBDC). The award,
which is the Council's most prestigious, evaluates all
manufacturers on their diversity supplier development programs, and
the initiatives the companies implement to help minority suppliers
succeed. MMBDC also named Chrysler Group employee Robin A. Hammer
Corporate Advocate of the Year. The awards were presented Oct. 4,
in Detroit during the 23rd Annual MMBDC Awards Dinner, where
Chrysler Group President and CEO Tom LaSorda served as the keynote
speaker. "In today's competitive market, a key to future success
will certainly be the ability to attract and retain the best talent
capable of working in a diverse and global environment," said
LaSorda. "That's why it is increasingly important that
DaimlerChrysler suppliers have the capability to meet our global
needs." Since 1983, the Company has sourced more than $31 billion
to minority- owned companies and has received the National Minority
Supplier Development Council's Corporation of the Year award six
times: in 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2005 and 2006. Additionally,
Robin A. Hammer, Chrysler Group Program Manager - Diversity
Supplier Development, was recognized for her leadership role as an
advocate for diverse suppliers. In January 2006, Peter Rosenfeld,
Executive Vice President - Procurement & Supply,
DaimlerChrysler Corporation, was named chairman of the MMBDC. In
addition to his duties at DaimlerChrysler, he will preside over the
nonprofit organization for the next two years. As MMBDC's chairman,
Rosenfeld will primarily be responsible for hosting and presiding
over all Executive, Financial and Board of Director meetings. He
will approve all programs and budgets and ensure that they are in
compliance with the National Minority Supplier Development
Council's Standards of Affiliation. "The Corporation of the Year
award represents a win for the Chrysler Group and our minority
suppliers, who help us remain competitive," said Rosenfeld.
"Chrysler Group's commitment to minority supplier development will
remain consistent in the good times and the challenging ones."
Since 1998, the Company has more than doubled dollars spent with
minority suppliers, from $1.7 billion in 1998 to $3.8 billion in
2005 -- making Chrysler Group among the industry leaders with 13
percent of its business going to diverse suppliers. The $400
million growth from 2004 to 2005 in Chrysler Group's minority
purchasing, represents the highest year-over-year increase for
minority suppliers and demonstrates Chrysler Group's long-term
commitment to the economic development and growth of its minority
suppliers. The MMBDC, established in 1978, is the largest of 39
regional organizations affiliated with the National Minority
Supplier Development Council. The MMBDC has 669 corporate members,
1,850 certified Minority Business Enterprises and an annual
operating budget of $3.5 million. Corporate members reported
minority business spending of $15 billion in 2004. MMBDC services
include the certification of eligible minority businesses and
professional development sessions as well as networking
opportunities. Over the span of two decades, the Chrysler Group's
Minority Supplier Development division has nearly doubled dollars
spent by promoting new business opportunities for minority
businesses and Tier One suppliers. Chrysler Group's continued
efforts to build these relationships have introduced several
initiatives for the Minority Business Enterprises (MBE). These
initiatives steer minority suppliers toward success, with programs
that include "Matchmaker" and the Minority Enterprise Initiative
(MEI) program. Chrysler Group Diversity Supplier Development
"Chrysler Group has actively supported minority businesses for 22
years, and we will continue to create innovative programs that help
suppliers grow and remain in business," said Jethro Joseph, Senior
Manager - Supplier Diversity, Chrysler Group. "Since the inception
of our minority supplier development program, we have sourced more
than $21 billion to minority businesses, and our 'Matchmaker'
program continues to generate new business opportunities. That
direct support will continue." In the last seven years, the company
has more than doubled dollars spent with minority suppliers, from
$1.7 billion in 1998 to $3.8 billion in 2005. This significant
increase demonstrates Chrysler Group's long-term commitment to the
economic development and growth of its minority suppliers, in
addition to distinguishing Chrysler Group as an industry leader in
minority supplier development. Matchmaker In 2000, Chrysler Group
developed the "Matchmaker" program, which was designed to pair
minority and Tier One suppliers, and encourage networking and the
development of long-term partnerships. The first year garnered
about $15 million in business opportunities. Since then, the
program has generated more than $1 billion in new business
opportunities. This year, minority and woman-owned exhibitors were
invited to submit business ideas to compete for a year-long
mentorship with a Tier One supplier. Each finalist presented their
plan to the Tier One panel of judges at the Matchmaker event.
Production Springs of Roseville, Michigan was chosen as the winner
and will be matched, with Tier One supplier Robert Bosch
Corporation, for a one-year mentorship. Minority Enterprise
Initiative (MEI) The much-heralded Minority Enterprise Initiative
is one of the first programs to link auto manufacturers with
minority suppliers and a financial institution (Comerica Bank), and
one of the only automotive initiatives to address all aspects of a
supplier's business. MEI was developed to help minority suppliers
improve technical capabilities and increase quality and
performance. Results of the program show that participating
suppliers have increased their business with Chrysler Group by an
average of 30 percent -- which is more than $240 million in new
business for minority companies. In addition, the MEI program has
generated more than $95 million in new capital loans for suppliers
through Comerica Bank. Additional Programs Benefiting Minority
Businesses In November 2004, Chrysler Group hosted 15
minority-owned U.S.-based suppliers on a business opportunity
mission to South Africa to build economic bridges between the U.S.
suppliers and their black-owned South African counterparts. The
trip helped Chrysler Group's minority-owned suppliers become more
globally competitive by opening doors of opportunity for South
African black-owned businesses, while South Africa's developing
automotive industry benefited from the exposure to U.S.-based
suppliers. Supplier Diversity Web Site Introduced in 2005, the
company's Supplier Diversity Web site is designed to identify and
register potential suppliers. For minority-owned suppliers, it
serves as a resource to build relationships and understand specific
procurement requirements. For the Chrysler Group, it captures
suppliers' capabilities and experience, and helps identify
potential suppliers for specific procurement needs. DATASOURCE:
Chrysler Group CONTACT: Angela Ford, +1-248-512-2986, or , or
Markus Mainka, +1-248-512-2729, or , both of DaimlerChrysler Web
site: http://www.media.daimlerchrysler.com/
http://www.daimlerchrysler.com/
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