Ford Earns Record Number of Diversity Awards; Thai-Tang to Lead Michigan Minority Supplier Development Council

DEARBORN, MI -- December 22, 2015: – Ford Motor Company’s commitment to and support of diverse suppliers is being recognized today as Hau Thai-Tang, Ford group vice president, Global Purchasing, is named chairman of Michigan Minority Supplier Development Council for 2016-17.

The organization certifies minority businesses, and provides those companies with development opportunities. It helps to facilitate more than $20 billion in business between corporations and minority businesses annually.

“Ford has a long history of commitment to and success working with diverse business owners,” said Thai-Tang. “I am honored to be named chairman of this organization, and look forward to working with Michigan Minority Supplier Development Council to better serve corporate members and minority business enterprises.”

Ford earns record number of diversity awards

Ford is nationally recognized for its leadership in supplier diversity development, earning a record number of awards in 2015, including:

• Top Corporation for Women, Gold Level, fourth consecutive year, Women’s Business Enterprise National Council
• Corporation of the Year, sixth consecutive year, Michigan Minority Development Council
• Corporation of the Year, second time since 2012, National Minority Supplier Development Council
• Excellence in Supplier Diversity, Best in Class, two years running, Great Lakes Women’s Business Council
• Corporation of the Year, second consecutive year, Michigan Hispanic Chamber of Commerce
• Membership in Billion Dollar Club, fourth consecutive year, U.S. Hispanic Chamber of Commerce
• Top 100 Corporations of the Year, Women’s Enterprise USA
• America’s Most Admired Corporations for Supplier Diversity, Minority Business News USA

Since its Supplier Diversity Development program launched in 1978, Ford has delivered support to minority, women and veteran-owned businesses by spending more than $80 billion with diverse companies. By economically empowering diverse communities and supporting diverse suppliers, the company creates opportunities for fresh ideas, perspectives and experiences. Ford works with more than 300 diverse suppliers, 30 of which have been doing business with the company for more than 20 years. The automaker aims to support diverse suppliers by spending at least 10 percent of its U.S. purchasing budget annually.

“This year’s accolades are a testament to the commitment of the entire Ford team to economically empower diverse communities,” said Carla Preston, Ford director, Supplier Diversity Development. “Ford is being recognized for developing and driving innovative best practices across our organization – practices that result in productive business relationships with diverse entrepreneurs, and valuable products and services for our customers.”

For 2014, Ford exceeded its spending goals for the fifth consecutive year, purchasing $6.76 billion in goods and services from certified Tier I minority-owned suppliers. It purchased $2.1 billion from certified Tier I woman-owned businesses and $850 million from veteran-owned companies last year. Ford encourages diversity throughout its supply chain – its Tier 1 suppliers spent $2.8 billion with diverse suppliers supporting Ford business in 2014.

“Hau brings a unique perspective and a valued skill set to his tenure as our board chair,” said Michelle Sourie Robinson, president and CEO, Michigan Minority Supplier Development Council. “Our strategic plan will benefit greatly from his engineering and procurement background, tempered only by his commitment to supplier diversity.” 

In 2014, Thai-Tang received the Asian Business Professionals Award from Asian Pacific Chamber of Commerce. Earlier this year he was featured in Who’s Who Publishing Company and Real Times Media’s DRIVEN, which highlights multicultural achievement in the auto industry.

“Our minority, women and veteran-owned suppliers bring an evolving perspective to the needs and wants of our customer base,” said Thai-Tang. “Ultimately, not only do they contribute to the growth of Ford Motor Company, they strengthen our supply network, create jobs, and provide economic advancement for the communities we all serve.”