The Auto Channel
The Largest Independent Automotive Research Resource
The Largest Independent Automotive Research Resource
Official Website of the New Car Buyer

Ford Recognized for Minority Business Efforts by Commerce Dept

24 September 1999

Ford Motor Company Recognized for Minority Business Efforts by U.S. Commerce Department

    NEW YORK--Sept. 24, 1999--Ford Motor Company has become the first automotive company to be recognized by the U.S. Department of Commerce for exemplary performance in promoting minority business growth in the nation.
    Ford was presented with the Distinguished Corporate Award during the Awards Gala at the 17th Annual Minority Enterprise Development Week '99 Conference (MED Week).
    The Distinguished Corporate Award recognizes a corporation's outstanding performance and programs that foster and support the growth of minority businesses.
    "It is an honor to be presented with such an esteemed award from the U.S. Department of Commerce. Ford Motor Company's commitment to minority-owned businesses dates back to the early days of our Company. Minority suppliers contribute to the lifeblood of our business and we are extremely proud of our partnership with these companies. We share this honor with all of them," said Carlos Mazzorin, Group Vice President for Purchasing and Ford of Mexico.
    Ford was the first corporation to surpass $2 billion in annual spending with minority businesses. In 1998, Ford bought $2.5 billion in goods and services from its 270 minority suppliers.
    Its Minority Supplier Development program provides a variety of initiatives that utilize minority companies in every aspect of the automotive business. In addition, the program has successfully instituted several training and service projects that help to develop and grow minority suppliers, including the Quality Center Problem Solving, Lean Manufacturing training, the Engineering Mentoring program, a Technical Assistance program, the Detroit Manufacturing Training Center, a Tier II Tracing and Reporting System, and the Business Opportunity Forum in Detroit and Chicago.
    Ford Motor Company is the world's second largest automaker, with more than 370,000 employees in 200 markets on six continents. Its automotive brands include Aston Martin, Ford, Jaguar, Lincoln, Mazda, Mercury and Volvo. Its automotive-related services include Ford Credit, Quality Care, Hertz and Visteon Automotive Systems.
    National MED Week was established by Presidential Proclamation in 1983 to focus on the achievements of minority-owned firms and the contributions of the public and private sectors to further minority business growth. The U.S. Department of Commerce's Minority Business Development Agency (MBDA) and the U.S. Small Business Administration's (SBA) Office of Government Contracting and
    Minority Enterprise Development jointly sponsor MED Week.