Delphi Hosts Eighth Annual Matchmaker Conference

Michigan Gov. Jennifer Granholm, NMSDC President Harriet Michel to attend

TROY, Mich., Feb. 24 -- Delphi Corp. will host its eighth consecutive Automotive Matchmaker Conference at the Lansing Convention Center, March 2-3, 2004. The Honorable Governor of Michigan Jennifer M. Granholm is scheduled to attend, as well as National Minority Supplier Development Council (NMSDC) President Harriet R. Michel.

(Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20020315/DEF002LOGO )

The Automotive Matchmaker Conference, one of the largest minority supplier conferences in the United States, has grown significantly since the first ribbon cutting ceremony in Dayton, Ohio in 1996, generating more than $150 million in purchases to minority business entrepreneurs. The Conference has encouraged the development of long-term business relationships between Delphi's Tier I and minority business entrepreneurs leading to business partnerships.

"Delphi remains committed to finding opportunities for minority suppliers and helping them seek innovative ways to grow their businesses," said Dave Nelson, Delphi's vice president, global supply management. "By bringing purchasing agents from major automotive suppliers and manufacturers together with minority business entrepreneurs specializing in the automotive industry, we build strength through partnerships."

The theme for the 2004 conference is: "Where Diversity Meets Opportunity."

Gov. Granholm is scheduled to kick off the awards breakfast on March 3. At the breakfast, Michel will deliver the keynote address. The NMSDC is a private non-profit organization that expands business opportunities for minority-owned companies of all sizes. Michel is a noted administrator and public policy expert on minority issues. She has worked for more than 30 years in the public sector developing and managing programs that address major social concerns.

"Delphi continues its ongoing efforts to ensure the success of minority supplier development," said John E. Taylor, Delphi manager, diversity supplier development. "Diversity of Delphi's supply base continues to be a strategic and focused initiative."

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 serves on the board of the National Minority Supplier Development Council.

In 2003, approximately 8 percent of Delphi's North American purchases were with minority suppliers. Delphi purchases from approximately 300 minority suppliers nationwide.

For more information about Delphi and its operating subsidiaries, visit Delphi's Virtual Press Room at www.delphi.com/media .

Photo: NewsCom: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20020315/DEF002LOGO
PRN Photo Desk, photodesk@prnewswire.com