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Ford, Bing Group Open Nonprofit Training Center to Assist Minority Suppliers

22 February 2000

Ford, Bing Group Open Nonprofit Training Center to Assist Minority Suppliers

    DETROIT, Feb. 21 -- Representatives from Ford Motor Company
, The Bing Group and the City of Detroit today dedicated the Detroit
Manufacturing Training Center, a nonprofit facility in the federal Empowerment
Zone in Detroit that will train workers for positions with minority automotive
suppliers.
    The 40,000-square-foot center was built by Ford and The Bing Group on
property adjacent to The Bing Group's headquarters and manufacturing campus at
Oakland and Caniff streets in Detroit.  Ford Motor Land Development
Corporation constructed the center and The Bing Group donated the land.
    "This facility fills a very important need to provide a place to further
train workers for minority-owned companies," said Dave Bing, chairman and
chief executive officer of The Bing Group.  "The center not only serves to
improve Detroit's workforce, but it's a key ingredient to ensure the continued
success of our industry."
    The eight-week training sessions will include instruction in several
course areas, such as welding, injection molding, metal stamping, seat
assembly, computers, work ethics, team building, and other business and
professional skills.  Courses will be free to the students.
    Approximately 400 students are expected to participate in the center's
training courses annually.  Students will be currently employed or newly hired
workers from minority automotive suppliers or recent high school or technical
school graduates.  A stringent admissions process will be followed to ensure
that students meet minimum education criteria, have a desire to work and a
motivation to learn.
    "This center represents another example of what teamwork and great ideas
can accomplish," said Carlos Mazzorin, Ford Group Vice President of Global
Purchasing and South America.  "When Dave (Bing) came to us with this concept,
we saw it as a natural fit for Ford and we wanted to be a part of it.  This
project is a winner for Ford, our minority suppliers, the City of Detroit and
the automotive industry."
    Ford paid more than $3 million to construct the center.  In addition, Ford
provided most of the equipment needed for the center.  The Bing Group and
several other minority suppliers will split the first-year operating costs and
have access to the center's resources.  Future annual operating costs are to
be funded by public and private money.
    Ford Land will lease the building to the nonprofit center at no cost.
    The center's formation is another example of Ford's nationally recognized
minority supplier development program.  This is the fifth program in the past
two years that Ford has helped lead to attract business to Detroit.  In total,
the programs have created more than 500 new jobs in the city.