Delphi Hosts Conference Matching Minority Suppliers With Business

TROY, Mich., March 18 -- For the eighth consecutive year, Delphi Corp. will be providing business opportunities for minority suppliers by hosting its Automotive Matchmaker Conference at the Lansing Convention Center, March 18 - 19, themed: "Procurement and Beyond ... Moving Forward Together."

This unique conference will bring together over 200 of the nation's top minority suppliers with purchasing agents from major automotive suppliers and manufacturers. Automotive manufacturers attending include GM, DaimlerChrysler and Toyota.

Matchmaker also encourages the development of long-term business relationships between Tier I and minority business entrepreneurs leading to partnerships in the future. Tier I suppliers attending include 3M, EDS, Freudenberg, Flextronics, LDI, Analog Devices, and ATF Inc.

Since 1996, the Automotive Matchmaker Conference has grown significantly, generating over $130 million in purchases to the minority business entrepreneur.

"Providing a forum with a captive audience of buyers, where minority suppliers can showcase their capabilities and technologies, demonstrates how Delphi supports diversity throughout the entire supply chain," said Dave Nelson, Delphi's vice president, global purchasing. "Delphi is committed to developing its minority suppliers to address the needs of its diverse customer base."

In addition to meeting new business prospects, suppliers will hear from a variety of experts on what innovations the automotive industry needs and resources available to meet those needs.

Stedman Graham, chairman and chief executive officer of S. Graham & Associates, an educational company that creates customized corporate training and leadership development programs, will be the keynote speaker. Seminar topics for the minority business enterprises include: Doing business with Delphi; The Value of Diversity; and a Financial Workshop.

In addition to Delphi's Matchmaker conference, the company's employees have membership involvement on numerous National Minority Supplier Development Councils including: Michigan Minority Business Development Council; Project One Member; Dayton Minority Purchasing Council; Upstate New York Minority Purchasing Council; Indiana Minority Purchasing Council; Dallas Minority Purchasing Council; and Cleveland Minority Purchasing Council. Nelson is on the board of the National Minority Supplier Development Council.

In 2002, approximately 7 percent of Delphi's North American purchases were with minority suppliers. Delphi purchases from more than 300 minority suppliers nationwide.

For more information on Delphi Corp., please visit the company's media room at www.delphi.com/media .

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