Chrysler Group Expands Seventh Annual Matchmaker Event with Mentoring Competition

  *  One minority-owned or one woman-owned business chosen for a
     year-long mentorship with Tier One suppliers
  *  Six minority supplier finalists selected from 45 submissions to share
     business ideas for one-on-one mentoring competition
  *  More than 250 exhibitors participate in Chrysler Group's Matchmaker
     event

WHAT: Six minority- and woman-owned businesses will compete for a one-year mentorship with a Tier One supplier to help execute an innovative business growth opportunity. The competition is part of an expanded project in conjunction with Chrysler Group's Annual Matchmaker event, where more than 250 diverse and Tier One supplier exhibitors gather to network and build business opportunities for this annual event. The winner will be matched with a Tier One supplier in a similar business for one-year. Since 2000, Matchmaker has generated more than $1 billion in new business opportunities.

Chrysler Group invited minority and woman-owned exhibitors to submit a two-to-three-page business plan to be reviewed by a volunteer panel of Tier One suppliers. The business plans were rated on a point system based on vision, marketability, growth opportunity and how a mentorship opportunity could benefit that business. The six finalists were selected from the 45 submissions received. The finalists will present their plan to the Tier One panel of judges at the Matchmaker event.

WHO: Jethro Joseph, Chrysler Group Senior Manager of the Diversity Supplier Development program, will host the six finalists. The finalists will receive approximately five minutes to present their creative business idea to the panel of Tier One suppliers. Finalists include:

  EconoBuild - Southfield
  New Technology Steel - Detroit
  Production Springs - Detroit
  Skilled Manufacturing - Traverse City
  The Affluence Group - Chicago
  The Emption Group - Southfield

  WHEN: Thursday, September 21
        Matchmaker Event -- 8:30 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
        Mentoring competition -- 10:30 - 11:30 a.m.

  WHERE: DaimlerChrysler Tech Plaza
         1000 Chrysler Drive
         Auburn Hills, MI

DETAILS: Six finalists will present between 10:30 - 11:30 a.m. Winner, finalists, judges and Jethro Joseph will be available for interviews and photos immediately following the judging event.

PRNewswire -- Sept. 20