Ford Honors Suppliers With Diversity Awards

* Ford honored three of it suppliers for their commitment to diversity at the 9th annual Diversity Development Awards. * The awards are given based on supplier commitment to economic empowerment of diverse communities.

DEARBORN, Mich., Nov. 9 -- Ford honored three of its suppliers in three categories for their commitment to economic empowerment of diverse communities at its 9th annual Diversity Development Awards at the Conference and Events Center here.

Brian Hall, chairman and chief executive officer, Industrial Transport Inc. received the community service award. Jerry Diez, chairman of The Diez Group, won for entrepreneurship, and Delphi Corp. was honored for corporate citizenship.

"These three companies have gone above and beyond in the areas of community service, entrepreneurship and corporate citizenship," said Tony Brown, senior vice president - Global Purchasing, Ford Motor Company. "They take the responsibility to grow diverse suppliers very seriously. For this dedication, we honor them and hope those of you attending this ceremony will follow in their footsteps."

The community service award is given to the diverse supplier that is a catalyst for change in the diverse community. Hall contributed time, energy and financial resources to meet a need and demonstrated how Ford's program can flow through diverse suppliers to help diverse communities.

The entrepreneurial award given to Diez goes to a diverse supplier who has overcome difficulties and accepted personal risk to create high value-added business and become a valuable Ford supplier.

Majority tier one supplier Delphi received the corporate citizenship award for establishing a successful diverse supplier development program of its own. The winner shares Ford's vision and commitment to expanding opportunities for diverse businesses.

Ford Global Purchasing nominates the companies for the awards. A Ford Supplier Diversity Development panel chooses each year's winners.

The 2003 Diversity Development award winners were Dave Bing of The Bing Group for community service, Chuni Gala of Gala & Associates for entrepreneurial initiative and Johnson Controls for corporate citizenship.